Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-29

ANTHRACITE TO BE $3.50.
= p Murphy Announces His In
dercd-A Defence of Local Dealers.

$50 q ton, which Is so cents lower than
the price of the Coal Dealers Association.
When he lowers his stock at this inquire,
he claims he will drop his selling price
to 81 ton if there is no change in the
present wholesale market. He told
representative Of the Dispatch that IL
was his policy to keep close to the peo-
pie, and that he would maintain that.
principle, even at a personal loss Mr..
Murphy said, further. that he had pul-
chased ten cars of anthracite. to be
shipped from the mines on Thursday OF
this week, and if there was no delay in
the railroad furnishing the necessary cars,
he would have some hard coal here within
3 very short time. This coal, according
70 Mr.. Murphy. will cost s7.40 a ton de-
livered here, but he will sell out at $50 a
ION. giving each customer two tons at
q time, making the deliveries direct from
The cars.
THE WHOLESALE PRICES
There is little change In the wholesale
coal situation. The price of splint lump
md steam remains about the same, each
lowering about s. a ton, wholesale. on
The tracks in Richmond. According to
sales agent John S. Lear, however there
IS not enough coal being sold now to make
/ market. While the receipts ar. more
iberal the coal is being applied on back
orders which were taken some time
go. Last Friday" said Mr.. Lear. the
chesapeake and Ohio railroad loaded in
he New River District 3l3 cars. and In
ne Kanawha District 63 cars. Monday
he loading in New River tell off ESQ cars.
While the Kanawha District loaded r.
! payday, he said, may explain the
lnsa tisfactory conditions along New
River, while the increase in the kanawha
District may be due to the starting up
f several mines which heretofore were
lie
The story printed in an afternoon paper
hat no relief from the anthracite short
&c was in sight for weeks, and that no
sard-coal orders for Richmond are be-
ng accepted, is in direct conflict with
he statement of a representative of
philadelphia hard-coal firm, who said that
lany orders for the precious mineral
al been placed by local dealers with him
his week.
DEFENCE OF COAL DEALERS.
a communication has been received by
he Dispatch from John S. Lear. repre-
;entative of well-known operators, which
'.n~-~+e IN ee~eral wa- to defend
the retail dealer from the charge of eS-
IVA wueu seiiing COai 10 the public
he gentleman writing said distinctly to
press Representative that 1t was not
lis desire to controvert anything that has
preared in the public prints. His idea
-as. however, to allav somewhat the pri-
-ately expressed indignation which has
rown generally against the coal deal
rs. L: is useless, according to the writer,
Of persons not familiar with the de
ais, to say they should be jailed. as the
cal dealers have dealt very literally
18th The public, particularly in selling out
heir stock Of anthracite.
While more than one wholesale dealer is
eputed TO have sold TO splint coal or
lis market at a price higher than sac
the mines, Mr.. Lear may be the eS
aptcn, and his letter is printed in full,
follows:
% the Editor of the Dispatch:
There has recently been a good deal
# adverse criticism of the coal dealers in
city, relative to the prices which they
ave been charging Tor coal, and some
ave gone SO far as to charge them with
ing a set Of eXtortioners.
AS an agent for the operators or
lines. and thus occupying position be-
ind the scenes, where I could fairly
udge OF such matters, I have deemed il
,ut Il matter of simple justice to give
ONE facts which may, in a measure. set
l.se gentlemen in just and more ia
ora BILE light before the general pubic.
md just here I will say that there
s no class of business in this or any other
ommunity which is worked on small
r average profit than that of coal, and ]
mphasize this in applying my statement
o the period existing during the pres
mt wear while the strike has been in
jrogrcss.
GO TO THE LEDGER.
AS further evidence OF the truth OF
ny statement. I venture the assertion
hat the balance sheets of the dealers
ere, as we'll as those of the mines, OH
he line of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail
-ay, from which most Of our supplies
t soft coal are drawn. win show small
r amount on the credit side OF the ledger
han for many years past.
A great many people do not stop to
onsider the fact that the coal dealer is
llways al q heavy expense OF maintain
sng his plant. having his teams to feed
,epairs to wagons and carts TO pay for.
lis Office and yard rents to meet, his
Jerk and labor hire, and all other Incl
ientals to pay just the same when there
5 but little doing as when he is busy.
Nor has there been an advance at any
.ime during the past five months IN tn"
7rics OF coal which was not fully justi-
fed by. the prices which the dealers were
forced to pay.
PEOtll. MI OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The day before the retail price of do
nestle coal reached its climax of 50 per
on. the dealers were paying for it S. al |
he mines or S7.95 delivered here Sure /
v Is per cent. gross is not an unreason-
eble profit to make on an article, even |
housh 1t were in active demand.
1t is proper to say that bltumlnous
coal is always sold here by the net ton
If 1000 pounds, and that the dealer in
.urs considerable loss in actual shrlnkaSe
md in the reduced price of fine coal or
lack, considerable quantity of which
$ found even, in the best quality OF
Jump coal.
1 will say nothing of the operators Of |
he mines. except to call attention to
he fact that to close down any kind OF
mining or manufacturing plant is always
attendant with heavy loss; nor will the
otal profit which has accrued to the aye
age operator during this strike be more
han will be necessary to put his ma
;hinery and plant in the same condition
s when the strikers went out.
THE MARKET AT PRESENT.
The market. at present, is in an unset
led condition, and prices are problemati.
al; but We may safely trust our dealers
i, the condor mt belief that they will re-
luce prices just as fast. and to as low
evel, as conditions Will justify.
l have never had any connection with
he anthracite trade, but l am prepared
o state knowingly that the price of that
Irticle was kept at IS per ton here long
ftcr it had advanced to a much higher
isure in other markets, and the bulk of
4,,1,i ~ hand hara