The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-12-09
COAL SCARCE IN NEW HAVEN.
Several Local Dealers Lock Their
 Doors.

Doors.
 The coal situation in this city is very acute. The cold weather has already caused considerable suffering. The poor people in the city who are unable to purchase coal are applying to the char itabie organizations in hundreds for help or relief. The man with the money is but little better off, just at present, as there is little coal to be bought. Yesterday some of the coal offices clos ed their doors at noon and left on the door notices announcing that the office was closed, as there was no coal on hand to meet the demand. In all the offices the telephones were kept ringing and people were inquiring about the prospects. The only answer was that the precious anthracite was decidedly scarce-so scarce, in fact, that there was none to be delivered. Of six thou sand tons that arrived Saturday fifteen hundred remained here. and this vas nearly all delivered yesterday. The other forty-five hundred went to towns up north.
 There is coal on it's way to this city, however. but the supply is limited. The coal is coming in barges, which are now delayed en route by the rough condition of the water.
 A large number of people on Sunday noticed the arrival of two barges load ed with hard coal at Spier's coal yard on Railroad avenue. On their arrival at the yard yesterday morning their fond hopes and fair visions were rudely dissipated. They were informed that the coal was all sold and none would be allowed to go in small lots.
 The crowd assembled was composed mostly of women and children. The women begged to be allowed to buy the precious fuel. They offered the money to pay for it, but none was forthcom- ing.
 As time wore on the crowd increased and the clamors for coal grew louder and louder. The men in Spier's office became alarmed and sent for police aid, which was promptly sent by Captain Brewer, of the Grand avenue precinct. Patrolman Flynn was the first man On the scene and after looking the sltua- tion over he decided that there was nothing for him to do On Hymns re- fusal to disperse the crowd those Gm- pIoyed at Spier's yard locked the doors of the office and refused admission to any one.
 A tour among the coal dealers elicit ed the fact that very little hard coal is in New Haven. Konold &, Son, Levi C. Gilbert, Benedict & Co.,, Spier & Co.,, w. F. Gilbert & Co. and McCusker & Schroeder all report that their supply of hard coal is practically exhausted F. A. & D. R. filings office was closed, but from reliab ble sources it was learned that the supply there was also exhaust ed and that the concern had made a practice of furnishing any who applied for coal with all that the firm could spare.
 None of the various coal companies will promise to deliver at specified date any hard coal, either in small or large lots.
 Some of the scenes enacted around the coal docks are very pathetic. One woman, the mother of seven children, wished to get few bushels of coal. When she was told that she could have none she made complaint to Captain Brewer. This officer, of course, was unable to assist her, and the woman departed to return to her cold rooms Coke can be obtained at fifteen cents 1 bushel from the gas works. This fuel and wood are about the only fuels in sight at present.