The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-12-16

Mr.. Lewis did not say how he would
deliver the coal to the schools after land
ing it in Jersey City.
The dealers say that one of the great
troubles 4 the difficulty in getting a suf-
ficient number of wagons to meet the
demand.
Holmes & Coogan charged the city
$3.50 per ton for the supply furnished
Nos. 20 and %.
FEEL THE FAMINE.
Jersey City people are feeling the re-
suit of the coal strike now more than
they did when the strike was in pro-
gress. Dealers have hard time getting
any coal and this morning a rise of u
dollar a ton was announced by some
companies Other companies have kept
the price at $3.50, while some get $6.75,
81 and S7.25 "a ton. Further advances
are expected and for that reason people
are endeavoring to secure supplies before
the price goes any higher.
1t is evident that some of the large
firms are holding up the coal they have
on hand with the hope of realizing bigger
profits in the event of another rise in
the price.
There is not as much coal on hand as
people are led to believe. The shipments
from the mines to this city are not large
and for that reason the supply is very
short. -
Some of the big firms, the Jersey City
and Hudson Coal Companies, were for
tunate to secure a fairly large amount
this week and to these places the small
dealers flock for their supplies. These
small dealers cannot get nearly enough
to take care of their customers and the
result is that people have to be content
with taking small amounts at a time.
FORTY WAGONS IN LINE.
An idea of the enormous demand for
coal was gained this morning when over
forty wagons were lined up in front of
the yards of the Jersey City Coal Com
pany on Grand street. This firm received
large consignment a few days ago
and the small dealers are getting their
supplies from this firm. InqGiries at the
office of that company elected the infor-
nation that the price was still at the
$3.50 mark.
The Hudson Company on Jersey ave-
nue is doing a large business and the
small dealers down town are getting their
coal there 1t was stated that the sup
plies wbuld run out in a few days, owing
to the great demand and that a shortage
would be felt before the week was over.
FAMINE AT SNAKE HILL
AVERTED.
The danger of coal famine at the
Snake Hill institutions and the County
JAIL which was threatened yesterday, is
today apparently averted-at least tenn
pofarily.
James Coyle, who has bene furnishing
the Freenolders with soft coal at $S a ton
and who served notice yesterday morning
that he could supply no more at any
price, was able later to obtain few
more carloads and his teams as well as
those belonging to the county were kept
busy until late hour last night hauling
the precious anthracite from Coyle's
yards near Tonnele avenue, to Snake
Hill and the Jail AS a result a supply
sufficient for a few days longer is now
on hand, and the Freeholders are CORE
spondingly happy.
The seriousness of the situation that
confronted the members of the Board
yesterday may be imagined when it is
considered that at the county almshouse,
asylum and hospitals there are upwards
of 1000 practically helpless people, be-
sides the $50 prisoners in the penitentiary
and 200 in the Jail, and the attendants at
the various institutions who would have
been affected by the situation had it con-
tinued.
Only one dealer in this city, of the
many appealed to, was able to assist the
county governing body in the unusual
emergency that confronted them, and he
could only give so small a quantity of
coal that it was of but little help.
Mr.. Coyle, while not being able to
promise any considerable quantity, thinks
he will be able, from day to day, to de-
liver sufficient to keep the institutions
supplied until the new contract is award
ed. This plan vii lbe satisfactory un-
less heavy SHOWS set in and leave the
roads in worse condition than they now
are for hauling heavy loads
GREAT ECONOMY NEEDED.
The Freeholders realize that the great
est economy will be necessary in all other
expenditures in order to pay for the coal
that viii be needed at the several insti-
tutions and live within the appropria-
tions.
It is feared that, owing to the uncer-
tain state of the coal market, that no
bids for coal viii be received on Monday,
December %, the day fixed for receiving
all offers for the furnishing of supplies.
If this proves true or if the bids sub
mitted are exorbitant, it will be neces-
sary to continue the present unsatisfac-
tory plan of purchasing in the open mar
ket at current rates, until the price of
coal again reaches its normal leve,
The different county offices and court
rooms at the oCurt House were but in
adequately heated yesterday afternoon,
and it was necessary to have all the gas
jets lighted in order to keep q proper