New-York tribune., 1902-12-17
G4IN IN COIL DELIVERY
Thousands Of Tons Released for
This Caty.

The Tribune is this morning in a position to
give authoritatively the coal prices and delivery
figures for the New-York Ontario and Western
Railway In the month Of November 1t dellV-
cred 2,206 tons. In November, l9Ol a norman
year, it delivered 23S972 tons It's additional
supply, then, to meet the special situation, mas
been % 234 tons. which, taking into account the
holiday is a gain at the rate of one thousand
tons a day Last week "a 947 tons were handled
The corresponding week In December, 1Sol,
registered 81 102 tons. This is gain of only a
little short of 25 per cent. At this present rate
December will show gain of 553SO tons over
the same month of last year
OF this greatly increased tonnage New-fork
gets the benefit of from so to 60 per cent OF the
bulk.
The prices at tidewater are So ton for egg,
stove and chestnut, and in the neighborhood OF
So So for pea.
The increased tonnage is possible because
the miners are working more continuously than
in an ordinary year. The additional coal rusned
in by train takes the place of what the con-
sumner usually has IN his cellar Annually IN
the winter months New-York overdraWs It's
bank account-the heaped up coal Of the seven
warm months. Instead of a surplus the situa-
ton is being met with added daily alot-
ment
Between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the coal
operators many of whom selling at the
mines at from S6 80 to 81 wholesale ton
This coal passes into the hands of spectators
in town-certain retail dealers. These prices
naturally soar and It is this small percentage
of coal at unlicensed prices that is giving the
impression of a fatal scarcity at skyscraping
rates Reputable dealers are selling at proper
prices.
Yesterday saw two things working together
for good in the releasing of the overstocked
cars and bins at Perth Amboy. The weather
thawed out the coal. and what the rain and
heat couldn't get the steaming process did.
The coal companies placed perforated pipes
in the coal cars and sent clouds of steam pen
etrating all layers 1t was kind OF at
bound the sleeted coal.
A considerable portion of the eighty thousand
tons was got into motion, and to-day win see IL
thoroughly released. This will give the city a
two days headstart on It's scarcity.
The prospect in Manhattan is excellent Mr..
Barber for instance received 400 tons last
evening and will receive from 1000 to 5000 tons
this morning. Barge rates are higher than in an
ordinary year, but the average price is % cents
a ton. The responsibility of the railroad ceases
when the coal is dumped into the barge, and it
then passes within the province OF the retail
dealer
Just at present the Street Cleaning Depart
ment and the retail dealers are acting at cross
purposes. There is a shortage of trucks, and the
coal retailer who ordinarily pays 50 day is
mulcted of So
Soft coal reached SO go at wholesale yesterday,
a gain of 81 10 in ten days By the end OF the
week 1t will be sold for 81. AS all eastern
bituminous has 10 pass through Altoona, Penn.
the storm al that point will tie up soft coal
temporarily Bituminous at retail to outsiders
is selling at 81 % and 50, but last summers con-
tracts are being hlled at 81 s. This coming
year Will see the price of soft coal permanently
advanced 10 figure between So 70 and 80 o.
The. operators are expecting an increase in
miners wages of IS cents a ton handled be-
ginning in April. That viii bring the rate 70
IN n handled. the wage now being 6O
cents and VIII be equivalent 10 an added 81 a
day in wages. The miners at one time worked
for 40 cents n ton.
TO 10 cents a ton for bituminous in April These
two factors OF wage increase and freight in
crease force the new permanent price