The Washington times., 1902-08-15
Government Would Suf-
fer PropUrtionately With
Small Consumer.
AFFECTS CAPITOL BUILDING
If Strike Continues 1t Is Probable
Crates Would Be Changed to Burn
Coal and Coke-Great Anxiety in
Departments.

Unless the coal miners in the Penn
sylyania anthracite regions get to work
in a short time. it is possible that the
business OF the United, States Govern
ment viii be transacted in Offices not SO
comfortable as usual. The coal famine
which threatens Washington is no re-
specter OF persons or institutions. and
although most of the contracts FOR sup
plying fuel to the Government buildings
have been let, if the strike continues
much longer it will be next to impossible
10 fill them promptly.
In The Capitol building the effects OF
the scarcity will be felt mora severely
than in any of the others. Unless condi-
tions change soon it is altogether likely
that the fuel burned there during the
coming fail and winter will be mixture
of bituminous coal and coke. Ii this is
done it will necessitate Il thorough over
hauling OF nearly all the crates in the
building, as they are fixed to burn an
thracite.
Dealers Were Cautious.
1t has been The usual thing for the
coal contract, for both the House and
Senate sides of the building. to be made
at the end of each fiscal year, June so,
Tor the ensuing twelve months. 1t was
not done this year. When the bids were
opened at the end of the present fiscal
year it was found that the contractors
would not agree TO furnish anthracite
coal for less than $3.50 per ton.
The dealers also insisted upon the in
sertion in the agreements of strike
clause. by virtue Of which the price
mentioned in the contract might be in
creased in the event that the strike as
sumed alarming proportions. In the
face of this clause the buyers for the
Capitol rejected all the bids. preferring
10 take their chances in the open mar
het The prospect is that fuel for the
Capitol will continue 10 be bought in
the open market
The coal which is burned on the two
sides Of the building is bought sep
arately. If the House wing runs short
srhe Senate wing helps it out and vice
versa. For the year ended June 80
1902. it took I,000 tons OF hard coal to
furnish light, heat, ventilation and
ether power to the big white building
on the hill. This fuel was secured at
the average price of S4.75 per ton. The
Senate side since going into the mar
ket has recently been compelled TO pay
s. per ton for anthracite coal 1t is
usual in buying coal for the Capitol to
purchase it in lots of 900 tons each.
Stock on Hand Is Low.
This summer there has been consil-
cradle work done in enlarging the Cap
itol. 4 large number. of new rooms
have been added, and Il is estimated
5000 tons OF anthracite coal to run the
plants for the ensuing year. if it could
be secured. There are about 700 tons OF
coal in store on the House side of the
building. which is enough TO last until
November /. unless the Senate side
that il would require not less than
needs help. The night sessions OF
Congress last spring greatly depleted
the coal supply for the building.
Last year there were $50 tons of an
thraeite coal burned at the White House.
Owing TO the enlargement OF the build
ing and some changes which will oe
made in the lighting and heating ar
rangements, this quantity will not be
adequate for the coming year. Contracts
have been made TO furnish ccal for the
Executive Mansion for the fiscal year
begun July 1, 1902, at the follow
ing prices: Furnace coal, Sc so per ton;
egg or crate coal, $6.25 per ton: stove
coal. $3.50 per ton. All of the coal is.
of course. anthracite. While the con-
tracts have been made they have rot
yet hoc1 signed. There is very little
coal On hand at the White House at
present
The contracts for the Pension Bureau,
Census Office. Patent Office. Civil Service
Commission. Geological Survey, General
Land Office. Indian Bureau. Bureau of
Education and Office of the Secretary of
the Interior were made by the chief
clerk of the Interior Department at the
beginning of the fiscal year The In
terror Department has contracted for
1,S0O tons of anthracite coat at s4.9S per
ton, and $500 tons Of soft coal at $3.25
per ton. The Land Office and Indian
Office, which are situated in the old
Postofiice Building and the Secretarv's
Office and Patent Office are lighted and
heated by plant situated in the Post
Office Building.
At the Treasury.
The heaviest consumer Of coal OF all
the Government executive departments
is the Treasury Department. All Gov
ernment buildings in the United States
outside of this city are under the juris-
diction of the Treasury Department.
Postoffices, court houses, custom houses
and other official places OF the Govern
ment are provided for in their material
wants b. the Treasury Department.
There are about three hundred buildings
OF that sort all over the country and
the coal consumed by these during one
year represents a value of over $300,-
600.
The Treasury Department under the
circumstances could not aff0rd to run
any risks so far as the supply Of coal
to these buildings is concerned. Mr.. |
Hills, chief clerk Of the Treasury De !
partment. is responsible for the proper
placing and awarding OF the contract
every year for each and every building
under the supervision of his depart
ment
Fer the immediate consumption Of
coal by the Treasury Department build !
ing in this city, and other Treasury
buildings the contract yas awarded
some time in June, end for its faithful
execution bonds were filed by the sue
cesgful bidders. The contract calls Cor
1890 tons of bituminous coal at S316
per ton. and the bond amounts to $s,090. |
There is strike clause in the con-
tract for bitumiBoIs coal. while this