Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13

ever I have been unable to get any coal at
that | ever will. The situation is matter
of considerable anxiety to householders. and
II will be a cause of rejoicing when the
scarcity Of coal Is a thing OF the past."
Some Experiences.
give been kept on the ragged edge for
number OF weeks said a business man to
Star reporter this morning. Several
times have been within a few hods OF the
bottom of my coal bin. but each time was
fortunate enough to find friend. Finally the
bottom was reached and what l was gong
to do puzzled me. The Washington Gas
light Company came to my rescue, however
and I was permitted to rebuild my fires.
My stock of coke Is sufficient to Keep my
house warm until after the holidays. oy
which time hope coal will be plentiful:
difficulty l managed to obtain two tons of
anthracite coal few days ago My deal
er charged me at the rate of $7.50 per ton.
I think steps should be taken for the
not delivered to the residents OF
Washington. Unlike a crop, there Is
no loss TO be sustained on coal There Is
the greatest abundance of 1t waiting to be
dug up. Notwithstanding President Baer's
statement. l think the Almighty put the
coal in the ground of Pennsylvania Tor the
benefit of all. and, like air and water We
should all have some"
Don't say coal to me" said man VINO
was asked by a Star reporter to tell OF
his experience In getting anthracite fuei.
"Of course. I've had trouble in getting
coal and my experience is such tnat l
think / have a good action for damages
against q local dealer. Last summer L
gave my order as l had done every year.
and with the understanding that l was
to pay the prevailing rate. 1913 ton. Tor
my winters supply. While the dealer still
had coal in his yard l called several times
and requested that he fill my order.
told him I feared coal famine, but he
assured me that such thing could not
possibly happen. He assured me that l
would get my coal long before the cold
weather set in, and when the strike had
lasted longer than he had anticipated ana
he was getting only limited supply ne
became very independent and informed me
that | would have to take my chances
with the others and would also have 10
pay the advanced rate. l paid SD for a
ton Of the coal. as had to have it.
Il have coal to burn and l got 1t this
week" said a District office holder. Hay
ing heard of the scarcity of coal and been
told that many carloads of the fuel were
on the tracks of the two railroads, start
ed out to make purchase. Finally
reached Anacostia and the dealer upon
whom | called made no pretense at charg-
ing an extortionate price. 1 had never
dealt with him before. but he let me have
three tons of coal. two of furnace and one
OF stove. for which he charged me 81 and
So a ton. respectively.
Some Opinions.
Mr. Arson s. Taylor: IT have made sew
eral attempts to get coal from my dealer
In the last few days, but have thus far
been unsuccessful. This morning received
a message by telephone from him to the
effect that he could no longer furnish me
with the commodity. and advised me to go
elsewhere. The last coal l obtained from
him | paid him $3.50 per ton. He informs
me that he trades with an independent
mine owner, and therefore he cannot afford
to sell his fuel at the same rate offered by
those dealers dealing direct with the rail-
roads. He also informed me that there is
plenty of coal in Washington on cars, but
that the railroad facilities are so inadequate
that II is utterly impossible to get to it
Mai. Richard Sylvester, chief of police,
said he had experienced no particular
trouble In getting coal supply for him
self but he had been unable to be of much
assistance to the members of the force,
many of whom had been without coal The
policemen he explained, do not have much
time IL go about in search of coal, and he
had tried to be of help to them. but had
been unsuccessful. He suggested that the
members of the force who were in need of
coal form an association and order coal in
large quantities, but he found that the coal
could not be obtained and the individuals
are doing what they can for themselves.
Mr.. Simon Wolf:
Contrary to all my usual experiences, l
neglected to order coal IN the spring. as has
been my custom for years past not that
1t would have helped me any for the deal
ers claimed they had none, hence could not
deliver any. The weather, fortunately be-
Ing mild during the month of November,
furnace coal was not necessary. though for
the range we had to burn wood at double
the expense. My regular dealer finally
asked for my order for the winter which l
gave He promised to deliver it as fast
he could. but, at fixed price, conditioned
that IL coal advanced l would have to pay
the increased rate
Under that arrangement three tons were
delivered at $3.50 per ton, but when this
week | asked that each class should be de-
lfvered inside of ten days until the order
was exhausted l was informed that he
could not do it; that the railroad companies
were confscating their coal, but have learn
ed since that this dealer was selling coal
at so a ton. Not wishing to be caught in
the cold snap without coal 1 commune
Gated with another dealer, who very
promptly sent me the coal ! wanted at 81
and S7.25 per ton.
81 think the trouble lies In the greed of
one and the obstinacy of the other. / have
great faith In the fairness OF the commits
sion now Investigating the trouble. but can
not forego the feeling that at the nations
capital the dealers in coal were very negli-
gent in not urging their claims for recogni-
tion by the railroad companies-or did they
conclude to take advantage of the circum-
stances to advance the price of coal. to the
ersT'