Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-03
LOCAL gPPLYOf COAL
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Committee Of Investigation
Visits Philadelphia.
CAUSE OF SHORTAGE
REPORT Of FINDINGS TO BE
MADE TOMORROW.
Statements by Washington Dealers
CAUSE OF SHORTAGE
Statements by Washington Dealers
Inquiry Regarding Alleged Dis
elimination Against This City.

Mr.. Thomas. w Smith, president of the
Washington Board of Trade; Mr.. w. A.
GUIDE, president of the Business Mems AS
ISOLATION, and Mr.. Wilton J. Lambert of
the committee appointed by the Commits
soners of the District of Columbia to in
Vestigate the cause of the shortage of an
thracite coal. with the purpose of raising
the embargo placed by the railroads against
the national capital and get an adequate
supply here at the earliest possible moment,
went to Philadelphia this forenoon to confer
with President Baer of the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad who is also president of
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
Company. which usually supplies about one
half Of the consumption of anthracite coal
In Washington, and the officials Of the
pennsylvania railroad
The main purpose of the visit of the sub
committee to headquarters is to ascertain
If the railroad companies and large opera
tors are responsible for the apparent dis
elimination against Washington. or whether
the fuel famine is the result Of the local
dealers. members Of the Washington cod
exchange, refusing to sign the agreement
demanded by the Philadelphia and Read
ing that hard coal shall be sold for a figure
not to exceed 80 cents a ton of the price
asked by than before the strike in the
rscite regiong Of Pennsylvania went
into effect.
The members of the subcommittee reach
ed Philadelphia about noon. The report of
their findings will be submitted to the COM
mittee appointed by the Commissioners at
a meeting to be held tomorrow. Great in
terest Is manifested on the part of the peo-
pie OF Washington as to the result of their
findings.
Questions for Local Dealers.
Mr. John Joy Edison, Mr.. Louis P. Shoe
maker and Mr.. John Doyle Carmody. who
were selected by the District Commission
ers' coal famine committee to make a thor
ough investigation of the condition of the
local fuel market met late yesterday after
noon and framed a series of questions
winch were sent today to thirty leading
coal dealers of the city. These are the
qucstlons:,
Il. Are you a member of the Washington
coal exchange?
''2 Has. any agreement been proposed by
any coal or railroad company with refer
ence to the supply of coal to be sold at a
fixed retail price?
g. Have you signed any such agreement
or schedule of prices with any coal or
railroad company?
II. What, in your opinion. prevents the
normal supply of coal in Washington at
the present time?
What About the Embargo.
"
in your opinion?
''8 What is the retail price of coal at
this timer
-. Have you purchased coal since the re-
sumption of work in the coal regions from
the Reading system? If So at what price?
s. Have you been able to purchase coal
from the so-called independent companies?
If so, at what price?
-. Have you placed any orders for coal
In quantities and what assurance have you
been given as to its delivery?
10. Is there any other information you
desire to give this committee regarding the
supply of coalr'
The following letter accompanied each set
Of questions:
we, the undersigned. a subcommittee of
the committee appointed by the Commits
soners Of the District of Columbia to in
qufre into the cause Of and the remedy for
the scarcity Of the coal supply in Washing
ton, request you to aid us in our efforts
to serve the public.
VIII you kindly reply to the questions
inclosed herewith at once, so that we may
be able to report to the general committee
Thursday evening next? Respectfully sub
mit:ed.
JOHN JOY EDISON
JOHN DOYLE CARMODY.
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