Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-10-03
THE COAL SITUATION.
The Fuel Problem as 1t Confronts
BrattIeboro HousehoIders.

No Hard Coal, but Soft Coal May Be
Had for Business Purposes-the
Wood supply.
The coal famine is a universal sub
ject of conversation and conjecture In
Brattleboro. as it is in every other
town and city in this northern coun-
try and there are few householders
in this village who are not asking
where their winter supply of fuel is
coming from. The fact that large
wooded tracts are conveniently near
makes it seem unnecessary to worry,
but the trouble is that the farmers
and woodmen, not anticipating any
such situation as exists, have no con-
siderable stock Of dry wood on hand,
and the wood. IL used, must be
burned green. Moreover, the great
majority of village houses are equip
ped with furnaces or stoves for burn
ing hard coal, and II will be almost i'm
possible to maintain in them a con-
slant and uniform heat with wood as
fuel. Many families thus situated
are planning as to what shifts can be
made to get through the winter com
fortably. There will probably be lit
tie actual suffering from cold In Brat
tleboro. but If the coal scarcity con-
tinues there will be no end Of incon-
venience. and there will be more den
ming up" in narrowed quarters than
has been seen before in many a year.
Some people are already experiment.
ing with soft coal in cook stoves and
furnaces. and the use Of this fuel may
partially relieve the situation. For
business purposes plenty of soft coal
may be had, the only thing that stands
in the way being the price, and it Is
doubtful If this will interfere to any
appreciate extent with the conduct
of business during the coming winter.
One thing is certain-there is no hard
coal to be had at any price, other than
that already in the bins.
The local coal dealers estimate that
the annual consumption of coal in
Brattleboro. both hard and soft, is
from 5000 to 10000 tons. At present
there is on hand probably not more
than 1000 tons. Mr.. Yauvey has none
whatever, but is expecting daily the
arrival of a few carloads of soft coal.
Mr. Barrows has on hand about 100
tons of soft coal which he is retailing
at $40 a ton, or about twice the usual
price. and there is little profit in II at
but he is delivering it only in small
quantities. hoping that by the time il
is gone he will be able TO secure an
additional supply, as undoubtedly he
will
The school board made wise move
early in the summer in having about
GO tons Of soft coal delivered at about
the regular price. The supply will
last the schools until about March /
II there Is no promise of better prices
the directors may decide to keep the
schools in session during the Christ
mas vacation in order that they may
close during the coolest weather The
churches practically are out of coal
but probably they will be able to burn
soft coal and wood so that II will moi
be necessary TO give up the services
The Brattleboro Street Railroad
/, company have On hand 40 tons or more
of soft coal, and they expect that with
the assistance OF their water power
they will have no trouble. The Brat
tleboro Gas Light company are Obliged
to use hard coal in making gas They
have enough to last into December
They hope that the situation will be
relieved by that time. They use sof
coal at the electric light station
2 Their supply is short, but they eX
: pect to have more right away. They
. will not be Obliged to use coal at the
g electric light station when their dan
e and power plant on West river are
t completed,
y The largest supply Of hard coal i,
+ at the Brooks Free library. where 81
r tons was delivered early in the sum
= mer. The reading room ought to b.
S well patronized this winter. Crosb!
/ & Co.'S boiler house. which furnishes
>. heat for the Brooks House and eros
r by block. has a supply of soft coal OF
;, hand sufficient to last until February
x The Brattlehoro Retreat is well sup
l. piled with soft coal. The Estey Or
}. gan company have a good supply o
Y soft coal on hand. as have also Holder
d. Martin The S. 4. Smith compan,
use wood for fuel The Carpente
\ Organ company's supply is short. Blu
+ they have two carloads of soft coal oil
G the road which will carry them
I" month or more. There is a carload
e of soft coal in the town hall building
: and the fire department is well SUP
u piled. The supply of coke is eS
5 hausted
The shortage of coal has raised tn
d price OF wood. and the best WOO,
. brings So a cord, ready for the stove
. DR. Fremont Hamilton had arriv
= Tuesday gang of eight Italians
y whom he has put at work on tn
+ Thomas, Stoddard and Herrick wood
5 lots on the Gulf road in Chesterfield
v These lots We're recently cut OFF an
u the tops of the trees, too small 70
e logs, were left. DR.. Hamilton ha
bought these tops and will get out Q
a them several hundred cords of WOO
r which he will sell for $3.50 to So
n cord. He has refused an offer TO
If the entire product to go to Worcester
q Mass, and viii dispose of it here 4
! Brattleboro, where 1t is needed. TIL
a. Associated Charities will continu
d their work this winter as usual. SUI
a plying fuel and other necessities t
" those who are destitute.
n Kipling has made a new artistic Ven
a. ture He has turned illustrator of hi