Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
vember $, 1902. also signed by Mr.. Baum

vember s, 1902. also signed by Mr.. Baum
as secretary:
Owing to the peculiar conditions sur
roundings the coal business at present it
has been a hard problem to arrive at a
basis for the retail dealer.
At the meeting of the exchange, held
October q, it was agreed that the Wash
ington coal men would keep in touch with
the wholesale market, and only advance
their coal on the basis advanced to them.
The matter was left to the secretary
that when he got definite knowledge as to
the prices of coal that he would then issue
price list.
some of you who will not fully understand
my motive, the situation will look ridicu-
lous for the exchange TO make q price list
which at present will not yield any profit
to the dealer.
.' Our price list is based on the Reading
sales agents price to us.
I'VE all understand and know that from
every other source from which we will get
coal that the dealer will have to pay more
money. and for the coal SO purchased the
dealer will have to use his own judgment
in handling at any price he pleases above
exchange rates.
50 The prices named are the minimum or
lowest prices, no matter the quantity, the
only reduction allowed is for charitable in
situations and even that is left to the judg
ment of the dealer.
tonnage from one ton up, all the same
price
"'You cannot make one cent on selling
wood at the present price. You will notice
that the price of wood is advanced 81 per
cord
A Difficult Task
Undoubtedly the coal dealers of Wash
ington. as elsewhere. have never had be-
fore in the history of their business so
difficult tas md ,Info 70
perience as has resulted from the great
anthracite coal strike. The committee is
satisfied that with but few exceptions. the
dealers have endeavored to meet the situa-
ton as best they could, and furnish coal to
all their customers in small quantities. in
order that they should he accommodated
as far possible and at fair prices.
1T is stated that from inquiries and an
swers made by the dealers that no en-
barge has existed. as was supposed at the
time the Commissioners appointed the COM
mittee. From the answers we find that
those who purchase from the so-called in
dependent companies are charging from
$500 to 81 Der ton. That the agents for
the PHILADELPHIA and Reading and Pennsyl-
vania railroads charge from 81 to $725; in
one or two instances $7.75 and $3.50. We
find that most of the responsible dealers,
upwards. of eighty in number, have. up to
this date. received the following letter from
the PHILADELPHIA and Reading Coal and
Iron Company. and signed the agreement
attached thereto:
Dear Sir: Enclosed herewith you will
please find our price circular, No. 3, dated
october a, 1902. giving prices Of coal in
cars at the mines. On account of the scare
ity of coal, we desire to ask If you are viii
ing to distribute the coal we may ship you,
In quantities not exceeding two tons to
each householder. until you can get around
among your trade and the pressure has
been relieved. We also ask If you are will
ing to sell the coal at reasonable profit over
and above the wholesale price of coal Ad-
wise what your prices will be.
:" Yours truly,
oh A. IoUNsBURY, Agent
We agree that we will deliver to The
householder, In quantities not exceeding
two tons. to relieve their immediate neces-
stiles, until such time as the coal supply
warrants us in making larger deliveries.
We also agree not to exceed reasonable
price over and above the wholesale price Of
coal. The maximum prices will be: BroRen,
81; egg, stove and chestnut, $.25. Other
kinds and sizes in proportion.
Signature--.
From the information obtained by the
committee who visited Philadelphia and
Baltimore and the advice we obtained flom
the companys agents In Washington, we
can state with certainty that barring any
extraordinary blockade of transportation
from now on. there will be fifty carloads Of
coal received from the Reading system
fifteen from the Pennsylvania and ten or
Four days from November 06 to 29. 1902
228 carloads were shipped to washington
from the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and
Reading systems averaging fifty-seven per
day. Since that date returns are not IN
to show the amounts shipped.
Each car averages at least thirty tons
of coal. The Reading and Philadelphia sys-
| TENS sells their coal, delivered, In Washing
ton at figure that will enable the dealer
to sell to his customers furnace coal at 81
per ton; egg, stove and nut coal at 81. q
per ton, these figures being stipulated in
the Reading agreement. The average sixty
five car loads entering Washington daily Is
thirty tons per car which would make $50
TONS this being not far from the normal
daily supply In Washington.
ITO extraordinary demand for general
distribution Of coal to meet immediate me-
cessities. the dealers are seriously Grip
pied, owing to their inability to secure de-
livery wagons and carts. They are doing
the best they can. however, night and day
committee that they have the coal on hand
in sufficIent quantity to enable them to sup
ply their customers, but not In large guam
titles.
1.-The dealers IN all parts Of the city wfu
we feel assured, willingly cooperate with
the Citlxeny Relief and Associated ChaFi-
ties In distributing fuel IN the best way
and VIII meet the requirement az far Al
possible.
No Necssaity for Larger Pxicss.
with . reasonable dagrss Of economy
OF use OF coal exercised b. tbs consumers
comfortable supply can b procured hy
tho people Of Waahington. It Appeaxs flsst
there Will 10 no neea1ntty Of PAYING lAreor
ur1xrn Than ffxAa IN the FAsilnflA1nlu4a aaaA