The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-11
AN ADVANCE IN
PRICE OF COAL
Situation Here is by No Means
Encourage Moderation
in Temperature.

Every indication points to an advance
IN Tie price Of fuel within the early fu-
ture. Inc figures on anthracite will go up
dollar or So and the 6. eat demand for
soft coal may effect change
then also. The Coal Dealers As
sociation recently agreed upon 50
per ton, while it's members were paying
s?.1o at wholesale rates-s7 at the mines
and S2.15 for transportation to Richmond
Few of them could keep this up long and
to-day the majority of dealers are
Offering anthracite at $40 or even in few
cases, at $1,000. The likelihood is that
1t may go even higher. Quotations
received here yesterday indicate that the
price at the mines has been increased to
$50 or thereabouts and this would mean
a corresponding advance here. Soft coal
and wood continue at the old rates.
With the rapid consumption OF the
little stock on hand and the cheerless
prospect of renewed supplies. the situation
III which the city is placed is no enviable
one. Thousands of homes are cold and
chill, and there is much suffering.
Families are hudling together and keeping
warm as best they can. Schools and
churches are in a bad plight. One or two
schools are said to have closed already:
others will follow their example unless
there is some early relief Comfortless
churches are growing to be no unusual
thing Some have found 1t necessary to
suspend the weekly prayer meetings on
account Of scarcity of coal. or scarcity Of
money with which to pay the high price
ii commands
Or all hands there is a cry for relief
and quick relief From the mines nothing
can be expected. The condition of the
we a Their, therefore, is matter Of
paramount interest. a moderation III the
temperature would be a blessing to all.
NEEDS SUPPLIES.
The Citizens Relief Committee is doing
the best it can. in nearly co-opera' n
with the city supe intendent Of Public
Charities. to relieve the distress caused
among the needy by the severity OF the
present cold weather. The carload OF
coal contributed by Mr. N. O. Brook. Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Coal and Coke
Company, has all been distributed. and
the wood supply is dwind.ing rapidly.
More coal and wood is hoped for, how
ever. also clothing and blankets and
money The high p ice Of fuel and food
is causing much suffering even among
people not exactly INDECENT. and the rea:-
ly poor are in great distress. The chart
ties are being desieged by them day and
night.
There is an erroneous impression preva.
lent about the province Of the Citizens
Relief Committee which - is des red
should be corrected. It works in perfect
harmony with the Department of Public
Charities at the City Hall, only the lat
ter's operations are restricted by law 70
the citys limits while the Relief Com
mittee can take up cases not only in the
city proper, but in its suburbs. The com
r7ittee has headquarters at 80. 10S
North Seventh Street. in charge OF Mrs
Craddock to whom the deserving may ap-
ply for aid, and it has its hardwork-
ing. though entirely voluntary. agents
and investigators in every part Of the
city.
SLIGHT MODERATION.
The temperature during Yesterday at
-.,r,.