Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20
As Much as Fifteen Dollars
Per Ton Demanded.
WOOD ADVANCES ALSO
BITUMINoUS PRODUCT USED AS
SUBSTITUTE FOR ANTHRACITE.
District Commissioners Telegraph
President Baer of Reading Railway
System for Concession.

Anthracite coal was selling today at $13
to $15 a ton and not more than a ton was
delivered to any one purchaser by dealers
fortunate enough to have supply. In
many instances only half a ton was deliv-
cred at the same ratio
This is the situation:
Unless the strike in the anthracite region
shall be settled in some way before the end
of the present month, Washington will ex
perience the greatest restitution in the line
Of fuel the city has ever known.
This statement is not made at haphaz-
card. 1t is based upon careful investiga-
ton of what actually exists. There are
dealers in the city who are interested in
allaying alarm. The Evening Star, when
thoroughly conversant with existing con-
dtions, has refrained from causing alarm.
because the city is in climate that does
not exact the use of coal as early as cities
and towns nOrthWard.
The change of season is at hand. The
rain of the last two days due to the equi-
noX has created an alarm on the part of
housewives. They realize that autumn Is
here in earnest They feel that they can
not be true to their children and other
loved ones unless they are protected against
the cold that is expected at this time CT the
year.
Price Of Wood Advances
Wood which might take the place of
coal, had an upward jump this morning.
The price asked for prepared pine wood
this morning was So a cord, a dollar above
the price asked yesterday. Oak made a
jump of S1.50 cord the price asked being
50 Hickory brought $40 cord a dollar
higher than yesterday. and there a
stiff demand. proportionate advance was
also noted in long wood. Nearly all the
wood that is used In Washington comes
from Virginia and is transported by water.
In not few of the downtown retail coal
offices today men and women waited their
turn to get a small supply of coal. Where
It was known that a person applying had
even enough to last over Sunday, he or she
was turned down, and those persons who
were known to be entirely without Were
assured that the drivers would leave at
their homes at least a few basketfuls.
OF course. the weather has not been par
ticularly cold thus far this season. but
there are thousands of homes that are de-
void of fuel and therefore unprepared for
cold snap.
Soft coal Is in great demand as a substi-
tute for the anthracite product. and the
price has gone up There has been a notice
able lack of shipments of soft coal from
the Cumberland district. Scarcity of rains
has made 1t impra ctcable for canal beats
on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal to carry
a. many tons per load as usual.
Boats that have arrived within the past
few weeks have therefore not been loaded
to the full capacity. This would suggest
That the bitumfnous operators are watching
carefully the conditions here. and are anx
ious to restrict the amount that shall be de-
Hvered, hoping thereby to receive an adj
vanced price few weeks later. when the
population of the District of Columbia shall
be dependent to great extent upon the soft
product.
Interest in Strike Region.
The interest manifest in the anthracite
strike is greater today than at any time
since the miners left their work Every
one seems to appreciate that the situation is
serious. With many persons, If coal could
be had the question of advanced price
would not be considered. There are many
persons who would willingly pay the aug
mented price asked if the coal were to be
delivered. There are as many who cannot
afford To pay the advance.
AT a number of wholesale and retail coal
dealers offices visited by a representative
of The Evening Star this afternoon no in
formation could be obtained as to the pos
sibility of an agreement between operators
and miners. Those who were inclined to
discuss the situation eSSayed informa-
ton from the inside
There is every reason to believe, however.
that there are a number OF coal dealers in
Washington who are thoroughly familiar
with the conditions in the anthracite
gion, but who are close-mouthed because of
the fact that they do not care to incur the
enmity OF the coal operators or the ra IL
roads interested.
Supply for District Government.
While the District Commissioners have
recently purchased 1000 tons of soft coal
and 1850 tons of coke TO run the school
furnaces until Thanksgiving. they still
casting about in the hope Of securing an
additional supply of fuel to provide against
Q possible close down of the educational in
situations of the city later in the winter.
Commissioner Macfarand was today IT,
formed of the fact that President George
f. Baer of the Reading railroad system had
recently sold to the authorities of Phild-
delphia 1900 tons of anthracite coal for the
schools. charging the city the rate quoted
In the circular of prices prepared before
the strike went into effect, namely 90 a
ton. Mr.. mcfarland thought President
Baer might be willing to sell the District
coal on the same basis. and so he today
telegraphed that official follows:
II see you have promised early delivery
Of 5000 tons anthracite coal for Philadel-
phia public schools. Can you not deliver
that or smaller amount at early day for
public schools of national capital?"
The Commissioners hope to receive a re-
ply this afternoon, provided President Baer
Is in Philadelphia today.