The Washington times., 1902-12-29

/ from Barry Bulklcy. who has been con-
Quoting the investigation OF the sltua-
tion in the coal fields OF West Virginia
and Kentucky. and from other members
Of the committee
Operators Limited.
These reports, Fl is said. will show that
the mine operators in the soft coal
region are limited in their output OF coal
solely by the facilities afforded them for
marketing it. Also that the operators are
willing TO sell az a price that makes Il
possible to retail it in Louisville and
other Western points at $3.50 a ton.
They will show that there are many
available cars along the line OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway which
could be made use Of if facilities are ar
forded for promptly unloading them in
this city.
Judging from the expressions OF the
members Of the coal committee there Is
no douL. but that action will be taken
al the meeting. The first question 10 be
decided is as TO whether they shall bring
soft coal into the city or undertake the
Importation Of coal from Scotland and
Wales. In case the latter course is de.
termined upon an agent will be sent to
New York and possibly abroad TO con
tract for and hurry the shipment Of coal.
Coal to Relieve Wants.
Even II the latter course is pursued
1t is most probable that some soft coal
viii be brought into the city to relieve
the immediate wants Of the people and
keep the fires going until such time as
the FIRST shipments arrive. Additional
terminal facilities viii be provided and
a delegation appointed TO walt upon
President Stevens. Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway and secure his co-opera-
tion in the providing Of transportation
facilities.
Coal was delivered in the usual ouan-
titles yesterday. twenty three cars OF
hard and six OF soft being unIoaded on
the line OF the Baltimore and Ohio road
with proDOrtionate amount on the
tracks Of the Pennsylvania and Southern
lines. When the day closed twenty-five
cars OF hard coal remained on the tracks
OF the Baltimore and Ohio. This morn
ing train OF coal came in. doubling the
amount.
The local agent OF the Baltimore and
Ohio road was also advised that two ad- /
ditional trains Of hard coal would ar
rive today. bringing the total amount up |
to 100 cars. The daily receipts on this
line have averaged fifty TO sixty cars OF
hard and twenty-five to thirty cars OF
soft coal
The Associated Charities and the Citi- 4
zens' Relief Committee are being kept I
busy providing for those who have been .
unable to provide for themselves. They 1
have found the conditions but a little 1
more serious than Is usual at this time
OF the year. Occasionally Secretary
Charles F. Weller and his agents have /
emergency calls made upon them. but F.
they are comparatively few. The funds
Of both organizations are dangerously .
low and personal letters OF appeal will
shortly be sent out.
Isolated Cases.
There have been isolated cases the F.
past few days where sales have been .
made at SIS or $40 ton for hard coal. /
but these prices are not representative
Of the market. wherein the conditions T.
are unchanged. or. if anything. slightly |
improved over what they have been. The \
difficulty Of securing the ourput Of the .
Reading and Pennsylvania mines has
kept a market for the entire output Of
the independent mines at from $40 10 s12
a ton. Soft coal remains at from s.
10 s. a ton. according TO conditions.
rather thar TO quality.
Whether or not there shall be a re-
iuction OF these prices this winter de-
pends upon what the citizens coal syn
licste committee may be able 10 ac-
II the weather continues IA
yorable, and railroad traffic is uninter-
-upted the situation will gradually i'm
prove. and prices will remain about as
Al present throughout the winter.
heavy snow storm or other extended
Interruption 20 the prompt movement o9
,oal trains would produce a condition in
his city that is frightful to confem-
plate.