The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-22
Too Expensive, Say Max
erS; All Right, Assert
Appliance Men.
ANTHRACITE NOW SIS TON
Only 5000 or 1000 Tons IN the City at
Present and No More Obtainable.
Should Strike Break Coal VIII Be
Scarce for a While-The Pinch Felt.

\ feature Of the present coal situa-
ton in Washington is the reluctance Of
the gas companies to encourage the use
Of that fuel for heating purposes a
condition that would normally be taken
advantage Of by these companies TO
spread the use Of their product and in
tToduce the use Of a fuel-that is cleaner.
more reliable. and more satisfactory IN
every respect Is passed by without an
effort TO encourage the use Of gas for
heating purposes.
There Is no use denying the fact that
gas is an expensive fuel" declared an
official Of one Of the gas companies to
day, 1t must De watched carefully or
else the bills are heavier than tire
average householder is able CT willing 10
bear For that reason we never hesitate
TO tell persons who would use gas to
heat their entire house that it can be
done, but is very costly
We make gas to sell and. Of course,
are glad to sell #. At the same time
we are not so anxious TO sell It as TO
persuade people 10 use more than they
can possibly pay for
Gas Stoves in Demand.
Dealers in gas appliances differ with
the gas company officials as to their use
and cost.
OF course one cannot expect 20 light
a gas stove and permit it TO burn in
definitely" said the senior member Of
the firm of Z. F. Brooks & Co. today,
but with careful using a house can be
comfortably heated by gas at less cost
than by coal even when coal is selling
at 81 a ton. We are overrun with orders
for gas stoves and are working every
competent man the We can secure in
placing them in the residences OF the
city This statement was borne out by
the statements OF other dealers in gas
appliances throughout the city who state
that the demand IS % much greater than
the capacity Of the factories that IL is
but matter OF a short time when there
viii be an increase in the cost OF these
stoves.
IN explanation Of the reluctance of
the gas companies to supply gas in large
quantities for heating it is pointed out
that under the law they are not permit
ted TO increase the cost Of gas TO con
sumers IN the District. In view Of this
fact and the uncertainty as 10 where the
price Of coal. from which the gas Is
made. VIII scar. they are reluctant to
do So
Coal Now SIS Per Ton.
Throughout the city today in practi-
caIIy every coal Office people were lined
up begging for the privilege OF buying
at any price a small amount of coaI
There are not more than half a dozen
dealers in the city who have a pound Of
anthracite left and they are holding It
al SO ton Not more han a ton is
sold TO any one person. Furthermore
every effort is made ~ induce people
10 buy in small quantities by the busbeL
In bUshel lots coal is sold at the rate
OF $50 or more a ton. Where the price
viii stop the dealers are unable to
state
4 member Of the firm of Johnson Bros
asserts that while he has no exact fig
ures on which TO base his estimate he
believes there is net more than 5000
or 1900 tons Of coal all told in the city
at present. Under normal winter con
ditiOns this supply would last but d few
days, of a week a the outside Where
additions TO this supply are TO come
from no one seems 10 know. As this
supply dwindles. it is easily TO be seen
that the prices must advance
Unless additional coal is secured from
some source, it is but matter OF time
wien even S100 a ton viii not be able 70
secure a pound
Expect Strikes End.
All OF the dealers express the belief
that the strike will be ended within
short time, bue admit that they have no
information on the subject other than
that contained IN the papers. It is evil
dent from further conversation with
them that their expression OF opinion is
but fathered by their hopes.
It was but two years agr when coal
was selling in this city at S. % a ton