Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27
800 TONS ARE COMING
First Shipment Anthracite
Since Strike Began.
BOUGHT BY DISTRICT
POLICEMEN WILL GUARD I.
UPON ITS ARRIVAL.
Exodus to the South Anticipated
Families May Live on CO.
Operative Plan.

Five hundred tons Of precious anthracite
coal, consigned to the District Commis-
sioners and destined for use in the public
schools, is en- route to this city Upon the
arrival Of the train bearing the fuel
guard of policemen will be placed about 1t
in order that none may be stolen.
The guard will remain on duty until the
last black nugget has been safely slowed
away in the school coal bins = With this
supply of anthracite and the 1900 tons OF
soft coal and coke recently purchased the
authorities feel they have made provision
for heating the schools until the Christmas
holidays. and they are naturally relieved
that so strained a situation has been so
satisfactorily terminated.
Capt. Baird's Views.
Capt. Baird, superintendent of the State,
War and Navy Departments building, Is
naturally taking deep interest in the coal
problem. as he will need large supply OF
fuel to carry him through the winter with
anything like comfort. Conversing with
Star reporter today, he said:
Several canal boats arrived at George
town with Cumberland coal today. The
recent rain has so filled the canal that the
boats may carry a full cargo. Owing to
ly filed and the boats. If they had been
loaded to the load line, would have
grounded.
There appears however, to be some trou-
BILE with the lock at Georgetown which
lowers the boats into the river, so there
may still be some delay in bringing the
boats to the local coal yards.
Several vessels have reached New York
from Wales with COAL but of doubtful
quality. Quantity Of Illinois bituminous
Coal Is being shipped down the lakes to Buff
falo and thence by rail to New York city.
1t is very smoky, so much SO that the cloud
of black smoke over East river reminds one
Of London.
Going to Bituminous Fields.
1.-The best news from the mines is the
foreign miners are leaving the anthracite
districts to seek employment in the b1tumi-
nous fields. About eight years ago the
Hungarian. Bohemian and Polish miners
were imported to replace the striking Amer
lean miners. History now records the re-
Sultlng evil.
1.-The peat beds in northern Michigan are
now being worked to advantage. The peat
is pressed out through tubes under by
draulic pressure. This yields a soft, dry
fuel in cylindrical bars, which CLOVIS with
incandescent wilderness, giving off no ap-
parent smoke and leaving but little ash.
THE coal which has been coming to us
from the anthracite region being at the
bottom of the pile has probably been
above ground for many months, possibly
some years and this accounts for its ap
parent inferior quality; but that which will
come in the near future will be freshly
mined and consequently Of much better
quality"
Down to 1000 Tons.
One of the foremost coal dealers in WASH
ngton a member Of a firm that usually
carries an almost unlimited supply of an
thracite for it's customers both whole
sale and retail. admitted this afternoon
that. in his opinion, based upon investiga-
tons made by himself and trusted employees
Of his company. the approximate supply of
hard coal in the District Of Columbia to-
day will not exceed 1000 tons.
This can mean only one thing. If cold
weather shall set in earlier than usual there
must of necessity be suffering, not only
among the poor, but the rich as well.
1t is no longer question of money when
the purchase of anthracite coal is cOntem
plated. The man who counts his holdings
| In the millions is as badly off as the man
who works. because OF force of circum-
stances, at dollar a day.
Going South for Winter.
| There is alternative for the man Of
| wealth that the man in poorer circum-
| stances can not take advantage Of The
former may close up his residence and take
| his family to a southern climate for the
winter.
| This is what number Of Washington
business men are already contemplate
| and it is likely that the exodus from cities
| farther north will be even greater. Ad-
| vices from Jacksonville, Palm Beach,
| Charleston, Tampa. ST Augustine and other
| well-known resorts in the far south are to
| the effect that hotel proprietors and own
| ers of winter resorts will open the season
at least a month. and in some places two
months, earlier than usual.
A railroad man, who gives much atten-
| ton to the winter traffic SOUTH said this
! afternoon that the request for information
| regarding transportation and rates for
| board was greater at the present time than
| ordinarily in the busiest time Of the winter
traffic to that part of the country.
Fire Department Alarmed.
! The increased demand for oil Stoves
| ranges and heaters and gasoline appliances
| for fuel has made 1t incumbent on the city
| fire department to be In greater readiness
| to respond to fires. The officials Of the de-
| partment realize that where appliances are
operated by so many persons who have
| never had experience with that class OF
| fuel there must Of necessity be greater
| danger
In the use of oil and gasoline too much
care cannot be exercised. and Chief Dutton
and his assistants are particularly anxious
| that every person who resorts to these
| substitutes for coal shall be extremely
| careful.
1t Is pointed out that Justice Brewer Of
| the United States Supreme Court was bad
| ly burned about the face and hands at h.a
| summer home in Vermont by the improper
| or careless use Of gasoline Unless rigid
| care Is exercised by every one the fire de-
partmem realizes that the number OF
alarms will be greatly increased.
Soft Coal Goes Up.
| Soft coal in the local market today
reached as high as 50 ton. although the
prevailing price was from 81 to $3.50 ton.
| The bitumlrous product is being restricted
| by dealers and the consumer Is gradually
| finding himself where ne can purchase only
| a limited amount at time.
The rainy weather Of the past few days,
| incident to q change in seasons, has made
| the demand for fuel greater than ever.
! Dealers who several days ago were suggest
| Ing the possibility Of fetching foreign coal
| to the city declared today there was abso-
| lutely nothing Of interest to say on the sub
| ject. The inference to be obtained from
| the manner of their talk was that the idea
| Of importing coal from Wales has been
abandoned.
| From all parts of the city comes the in
| formation from real estate dealers that
persons who can give up their houses under
the terms of their contracts are doing so or
contemplating such action, with the pur-
Il 40 Hl~.