New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
GOOD COAL SUPPLY HERE.
CIVIC FEDERATION ARBITRATORS HAVE
HOPE OF AyERTTNG A STRIKE.

None OF the presidents of the anthracite roads
could be seen yesterday, and the invariable
reply TO all reporters was that they were out
OF town. According TO an official of one OF the
roads. the operators will take action until
they what the miners do at the Hazleton
convention Wednesday.
1t Is generally conceded that this is not
good time for the strike. unless 1t is long one.
In the spring proprietors of hotels and other
places where large quantities Of anthracite are
used buy their supplies for the winter. as an
advance in the price of coal averaging 10 cents
a ton month is added. beginning with May and
lasting until December.
John Edmonds principal sales agent of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Com
pany, in his office. in the Jersey Cen
trail Building, yesterday, and said that sales
had been very active in the last month. In the
various depots where coal stored in this
vicinity, he said. there a good supply of
anthracite
LAS to the strike itself or it's merits know
nothing" he continued. II know that a great
many of the large establishments in this vicin-
ity have laid in their supplies already. For the
last year il has been the custom among people
who post themselves as to the advance in coal,
which starts in every spring, to lay in their
supplies in May. In this city there is health
ordinance forbdding the of soft coal even in
factories but it is not always observed. In
Philadelphia there is similar ordinance but 1t
is practically a dead letter.
1t was learned yesterday that at the various
coal supply stations in and around New-York
there are good stores of anthracite. At the
Perth Amboy tidewater station there are many
thousands OF tons hand, but those in charge
of the supplies will not admit that it is in antici-
patton of a strike. Most of it is the normal
off fha cy,rin Nnrfra
TO be delivered when called on.
Ralph NJ. Easley. secretary Of the National
Civic Federation, said that. in view OF the
present state of affairs. he could not say what
the federation might or might not do.
Oscar S. Straus, of the conciliation committee
OF the Civic Federation, said:
The Civic Federation will continue to do
what may be possible TO bring about harmony"
II is known that Senator Hanna is still watch
ing affairs in the hope that the arbitration COM
mittee OF the federation may be able 10 do
something before the strike is actually ordered
on Wednesday. man who speak with
authority, but who does not want to be quoted
by name, said:
Many things can happen between Monday
TO see what is actually done on Wednesday be-
fore they decide what to do. They want TO
see whether the strike will be general one
entered on in a half-hearted way and II is
barely possible that some concessions which
will satisfy the miners will be made I know
that they could not grant an advance in wages
and that the demands of the miners they
impossible"
In case the strike is declared. it is believed
that the Hazleton district where the conven-
ton Of the miners will be held on Wednesday
will be the storm centre. 1t is within a short
distance of Shamokin. Shenandoah. Lattimer
and other places affected by the last strike.
Wall Street had rumors yesterday OF a con-
ference of operators in Philadelphia. 1t was
also stated in Wall Street circles that the union
is regarded S comparatively weak in funds and
that the operators, therefore, feel that if there
is to be trouble it may as we'll come now at
any other time