The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-15
Richmond Has a Cinch Con-
tract With Coal Concern.
]. H. WARDEN & co. LOSE.
Strike in Anthracite Region Af-
fects Situation Here.
CITY PLAYS $1,000 TO GOOD.
Mr.. j. II. Warden Appears Before the
Heal.h Committee and Urges That
His Firm Not be Held to Cons
tract for Crematory
Coal-The Request
ignored,


1t developed at the monthly meeting of
the Health Committee last night that
the city of Richmend viii gain something
over $1,000 as result Of a coal contract
which entered into last July for the
h1.sply of fuel for the crcmatory, while
known local firm of coal dealers. will lose
similar amount as result of the
great strike in thu anthracite regions.
Mr.. J. II Warden. senior member of
the nrm Of coal dealers, appeared before
the committee and made lengthy argu-
ment, requesting that the concern not be
held 10 the contract. but be allowed at
least the cost price OF the fuel. The talk
wes very interesting, inasmuch it gives
10 the public idea TO the price they
will have TO pay for fuel during the COM
ing winter unless a compromise is effect
ed In the anthracite regions between the
striking miners and the mine owners
According to the speech of Mr.. Warden,
coal has been increasing in price steadily
since the miners walked out during the
latter part CT July. He says it will be
loss than sc or 81 a ton, even If an agree
ment is reached before the cold weather
sets In, as the demand will be greatly IN
excess Of the supply. mono of the mines
having accumulated any since the be-
ginnig of the trouble
The first matter considered by the com
mittee after being called to order by
Chairman Hobson was the current ac-
counts for the past month, and the bin
from ]. II. Warden and Company was one
OF the first to be taken up,
ASKED FOR RELIEF.
Instead of being for SG70-52. the ac-
count called FOR S952.6S. or S2ll-6S more
than was expected. the crernatory having
used 1876 tons during the past month and
the contract price was TO be only S3.42
per ton. Accompanying the bill was q
brief communication from the coal con-
Germ asking that the claim be allowed.
inaSmuCh as they had been compelled to
pay for the Goa! delivered by them TO
The crematoryr si.45 per ton or sL03 more
than they had agreed to sell to the city.
At this time Mr.. Warden was not pres
cnt, and after a brief discussion. the COM
1ntttee decided to hold the firm to the
contract and refused to pass upon the
account at tho figures named. ordering
a voucher for S512 80 to bedrawn in favor
of the company.
Later in the evening Mr.. Warden APP
reared and the rules were suspended in
order to hear from the gentleman in re
gard to the contract,
The coal dealer stated that at the
time he signed the contract with the
Health Committee he had no idea that
there was to be a strike among the coal
miners although the trouble commenced
within a few days after the city had
entered into the agreement with him.
i was customary with his firm to stip-
ulate In all contracts-tn fact ali of
their letter heads contained such q
stntcment-that in event of strike or
other causes beyond their control a
contract was null and void.
That such clause was not contained
In the contract with the Health Com
mittee was Que entirely to an over
sight, he continued, and he thought If
only just and right that the committee
allow them at least the cost price OF the
coal
PAY COST PRICE.
I'VE have contracts with the Trirg
shipyarcis, said Mr.. Warden. and
since they have learned the situation
they are paving us the cost price of
: the fuel. realizing that otherwise we
would lose an almost unlimited amount
OF money Only recently we ordered
seventy cars Of coal from the mines
Il was started all right but before it
reached Richmond the railroads had
thilliScal tea SiNlS-IlNc OF the cars. Only
five of the original seventy reaching
this city. 1t is simply impossible TO
get fuel. The mines are not turning il
out. and even now should the strike
be settled the price OF coal will be away
un this winter.
''It will work a great hardship on us
II we are compelled to make good the
contract which we entered into. and
sincerely trust that YOU gentlemen will
allow Us at least the cost price of the
fuel We have already furnished and
will continue to furnish"
Several OF the committeeman. notably
Mr.. Hicks. Mr.. seay and Mr. Shcp-
pard, interrupted Mr.. Warden a num-
ber Of times during his talk. asking
Questions bearing on the case All
stated they were in sympathy with the
firm, but under the law they had no
right TO interfere in the matter, and
1t was again decided 10 hold the firm
10 its contract.
ToNa Times reporter Mr. Warden
stated after the committee meeting that
h. would make good the contract. bur
the firm would lose several hundre,s
dollars Asked concerning the proba-
hlc price of fuel for residence use next
winter, he said:
Just at this time it is hard 10 saw
Just what the public Will be required
to pay for fuel. but ! am certain that
coal will not sell at any time for less
than Sc a ton. and it is quite proba BILE
It will SO much higher
nJatl Nisi.e Pao.,.,,t.