The Washington times., 1902-12-02
WASHINGTON COAL DEALERS
IN FEAR OF THE RAILROADS


Continued from First Puge)
railroads. Both the Pennsylvania and
Baltimore and Ohio consume a large
quantity, estimated at about fifteen cars
a day each.
This, In brief. is the substance OF re-
port submitted to the coal committee at
Its meeting in the Board Of Trade rooms
yesterday.
But One Absent
The meeting was well attended. the
only absent member being George
TruesdeH, ex-Commissioner Wilton }.
Lambert. whose name was omitted from
the previous lists given out. was also
present and took an active part in the
discussion.
In calling the meeting TO order Thomas
W. Smith, president OF the Board Of
Trade and chairman Of the coal com
mittee. said that the purpose OF the
meeting was to ascertain il the reported
discrimination against Washington in
the shipment Of coal was true. ans 70 SO.
10 take such steps rs might be deemed
expedient in anording relief
Regarding the alleged discrimination.
Mr.. Smith said that so far as ne had
been able to ascertain the shortage was
due TO the inability OF the companies TO
supply the demand. The alleged cmbar-
20 was expls cable upon purely business
grounds.
For example. the Jehigh Valley Rail-
- -. 4N- s-H
- all coal coming here over the Penn
sylvania system. own their own tracks 20
Jersey City and have their own rolling
stock Their facilities for handling roal
are limited. and until they have supplied
those localities on their own system
and the New York market they are IN
willing 70 send cars to foreign points.
car can DO returned to the mines in
three days when 1t goes to Jersey CITY.
but when it is of the system Il Is
sometimes weeks before # finds its way
back to the mines. The same conditions
prevail to an extent on the Reading sys-
tenn II these roads permitted their cars
20 leave their own lines it would Je i'm
possible to supply cars to move the coal
from the mines.
Allege Discrimination.
letter was read by r. p. Andrews
contending that the embargA does exist
1t was further shown that an Official Of
the Reading road admitted It did so
Tar as the cars OF that road coming
South was concerned. Mr.. Buckley read
extracts from communications 10 local
dealers from Charles D. Norton & Co..
miners and shippers OF coal 2lg
stephen Girard Building. Philadelphia.
Hall Brothers & Co. SO S. Holiday
Street, Baltimore; and from Ayres &
k-o., 42i Chestnut Street. PhiladeI-
lila. stating that the embargo existed.
Ind that II was with difficulty coal could
b sent in this direction.
Secretary Buckley submitted a report
Allowing the result Of a hurried inspec-
ton OF the coal yards and dumps Of the
city. revealing a visible supply Of less
thar $500 tons. The report further
-1swed that during the past eight days
1T 129 cars OF anthracite coal mad
'sen received over the Baltimore and
tnio Railroad. or an average Of about
lG cars dav. The usual receipts over
Tic line at this time Of the year are
ION 30 20 100 cars. Yesterday 35 cars
81 coal came in. Over he Pennsylvania
the rroportionate receipts we're even
aua-ler.
The committee took up the considera-
tion Of methods to be adopted for ar
fOrding relief. The plan finally adopted
was outlined by John Joy Edison. who
offered a resolution. providing for tho
appointment Of a committee % wait
upon President Baer. OF the Reading. o.
his superintendent n distribution. and
secure his cooperation in afording re-
J, T. The resolution was unanimously
e. pied and William F. GUIDE. Wilton
J. Lambert. and Thomas ". Smith were
rJpointed. These gentlemen he'd a meet
glg after the adjournment Of the mil
committee and arranged 10 90 20 Phil
adClphia. Wednesday morning. n an ap-
pointmeut could be made with the prop
or officials.
A second committee, composed Of John
Joy Edison. John Doyle Carmody. and
Louis p Shoemaker. was appointed 70
confer with the local Palers. This com
mittee will meet this afternoon at 3
O'Clock
Chairman Smith was empowered TO ap-
point in the interim between meetings.
such committees and agents as might
be necessary. John b. Daish. OF S. g.
Daish & Sons. was appointed a specia
representative Of the committee I'm the
coal regions. having indicated his inten-
tion OF visiting the mines during the
next week.
Hard to Handle.
One Of the most serious difficulties at
the present time, the local dealers as
sert. is the problem Of handling the coal
after Il reaches the city. Even with
the limited supply on hand and the ex-
traOrdinary rates offered for teams IL