Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-14
SCARCITY OF STEAM COAL
Local Supply is Short and Famine is
Threatened Soon.
MINES NOT PRODUCING USUAL AMOUNT
Fuel Conditions in Omaha BecOme
such as Warrant Apprehen-
sion on Part of the
Consumer.
MINES NOT PRODUCING USUAL AMOUNT

Wholesale dealers in coal In Omaha are
beginning 20 feel alarmed over a shortage
in supply Of steam coal. OF nut and lump
the supply is SUFFICIENT for ordinary de-
mands of the season. For some time
the jobbers have been filling orders for
steam coal from han to mouth, delivering
partial c-onsignments on large orders and
keeping things moving as best they might
says a call man. but II there is not a
change soon It will be impossible TO meet
all of the demands. The mines are not
shipping literally and IL seems to be i'm
possible for the Omaha jobbers TO get
enough coal to keep them from u~neasiness.
This is due to the fact that the railroads
which purchase their coal from the mines
which supply the Omaha territory prin-
cipally are using mine-run coal at this
time. when a year ago they were using
screened coal. The mine owners in selling
mine-run coal finds a greater profit in the
slack than when he sells IL separate. and
so the railroads are taking the supply
which formerly was placed on the market.
So far the scarcity has had no effect upon
prices, but 1t is not impossible that the
present condition will be followed by a
sharp advance. The price Of steam coal
is $3.50 per ton delivered or S2.So
VI poAia cars Al OAhAd-
Hard CoRI VIII Soar.
The local anthracite coal market is pc
euliar and retail dealers u this commodity
are having an experience seldom known on
this market. When the present coal strike
began some Of the consumers met the men
from whom they purchased their usual win
ter's supply and asked what effect the
strike would have on the local market. The
answer was anything but reassuring, the
retail men prophesying that coal is as
cheap today as II will be al any time during
the year, SO per ton. In fact some Of the
dealers we're inclined TO be exceedingly
bulliSh and predicted a price OF SIS per ton
before the close Of the winter. Under these
circumstances several Of the consumers de-
cided 10 place their orders for the winters
supply Immediately. Some Of the dealers
are not prepared to fiji winter orders at
this time. while one or two have enough or
hand 10 warrant them in taking such or
ders. but they objected 70 accepting the or.
derE on the basis Of future delivery TO be
paid for at the time Of delivery at the price
obtaining at this time. The result was tina
several Of the largest consumers have pur-
chased their winters supply outright and
will have the coal delivered Immediately.
In this connection Victor White is laugh
ing at some OF the men in the business who
laughed AT him three months ago. At tina
time the question Of the coal supply for the
coming year was being discussed by the
local dealers and the majority decided that
the price would be lower before the open
ing Of the season for fan trade. MI. White
believed not and as soon as the low price
Of April was reached be placed an order
for one-half Of the amount required by him
for the year. The other dealers laughed
a. him and prophesied that be would be
selling II on the local market al cost in
September. Then came the coal strike ans
the fellows who we're laughing now think
that luck Is on the side Of the early bird