Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-24

New Bedford NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 5000
New Haven $4,000
Portland 1000
Portsmouth 5000
Providence 10000
RockIand 1,5o0
Springfield 500
Taunton Observation-Disclosures. lS,Vuu
Worcester l0,OUD
Coal Is now being sold in one and
two-ton lots and everybody is prac-
ticing strict economy.
The month has been cold enough foI
steam heat, and each "a hours inn
parts to the situation a more serious
aspect. Prices have advanced to $3.50
for furnace and 81 for stove coal, ana
some of the distributors have already
reached hard floor. They cannot sup
ply their customers.
The general sentiment among deal
ers is that the strike will continue.
How long, they could not, of course,
determine but according to one who is
in close touch with the great operators
the fight will be kept up by the con-
trolers of the mines until the union IS
defeated.
At New York, Tuesday, President
George f. Baer of the Reading held a
conference with the presidents of n
number Of other coal companies.
I'VE are satisfied with our position,
declared President Baer. eve can
stand it if the miners can. / do not
know when the strike will be settled,
bat when it is / know it will be salts
factory to all concerned
President Baer's statement means
that the price of coal in New York for
the coming winter will be higher than
ever before known. He and his col
lagues are making no effort to settle
the strike. and will make none. until
Sept. /, when the increase in the win
ter schedule goes into effect. This will
raise the price of coal, and by "educat-
ing" the people to pay higher prices
the coal trust hopes to maintain this
price indefinitely"
BY concentrating their efforts the
operators will have better control than
ever over the output of coal. They can
then demand any price they see fit, as
there will be but one mine worked
After the winter schedule goes into
effect efforts will be made to reach an
agreement with the miners.
The coal situation in Portland VIII
he serious with the approach of colo
weather. Only one ton is sold to each
customer. A leading firm said, Tues
day:
I'VE are offered IS and even $40 ton
now spot cash, but we cannot break
over our rules. We still sell at 81 4
ton"
There is not over 1000 tons of hard and
about sC0o tons of soft coal here, ana
there ought to be at least 5000 tons OF
bard and 600oo tons Of soft to bring the
coal in sight up to the average of former
years.
There is. however, more soft coal than
at any previous time for some weeks.
Several times since the strike began the
Importation of coal from Canada saved
Portland otherwise there would not have
been pound of soft coal here.
Wood IS cheap and there is enough NJ
i to help tide the people over to some
degree.
Bangor's annual hard coal supply at the
close of navigation is about $4,000 tons.
and Mt this time usually about one-half
OF that amount has been received
At the beginning of the coal strike there
was about 5000 tons in stock and there
IS now about POGO tons. None has been
received since the strike commenced ex-
cept small amount by the Eastern
Steamship Co.
Dealers are selling to regular customers
IN not ever two-ton lots. for 81 ton.
Regular price from s5.15 TO Sc.
Hangor coal can be landed during the
winter ut Bucksport. - miles below with
rail connection. Supply must be resumed
helore cold weather or great trouble viii
ensue Immense amount OF coke in place
OF coal Is being used by pulp mills for
the first time.
Although the supply Of coal is shortAin
Augusta. yet there is no Immediate cause
Tor alarm. The demand is small at this
season of the year.
Since the advent of the strike the sit
udtion in Bath has assumed a most Sc
rious aspect
OF the bituminous variety there is prac
ncai,y none; The supply of hard coal on
hahd Is only about per cent. of the
amount usually carried by the dealers at
inns season of the year. and on this ac-
count the price has been raised by mu-
tlal agreement from 81 a ton to SIS.
WINE but one ton at time will be sold
TO customer.
Said one of the prominent dealers:
had about 1900 tons of hard coal on
hand last year at this time. while today
have scarcely 200 tons
since May l only three cargocs of hard
Soai have come to this port. aggregating
reduced
The steamboat companies, although
burning bituminous coal with great care.
nave enough on hand to last them a
month at any rate. while the leading tow
noat company claims to have a supply
Wnich will last six weeks longer.
Some OF the industries are said to be
III pad way. however. as their supplies
are getting nearly exhausted Some are
,esorting to Nova Scotia coal but this is
unsatisfactory. as the kind which has
peeh received here burns like finder and
vi account of the immense quantity
which has to be used to accomplish the
expensive.
,hockland has only about Is per cent of
me amount of hard coal usually on hand
u, .nis season of the year.
slhe demand upon Rockland dealers ag-
stesates about s000o tons per year, and
1909 tons.
Ibis is selling at s7.75 a ton. and the
t;e I'd are delivering only such quanti-
n nes as are absolutely necessary for their
Camden has less than 1900 tons on hand