The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-27

Even should the strike OF the miners
be ended there is a question OF when
coal could be gotten into Providence.
There are all kinds of statements in circu-
lation, and one OF these is that many OF
the mines closed or partly closed by the
strike are partly filled with water and II
will require much time to free them so
they can be worked
LAST CARGO OF HARD COAL.
Other reports are TO the effect that some
coal is being mined and some is being
shipped, but what is being sent out from
the anthracite mines is but drop In
the bucket. The last cargo of hard coal
received at Providence reached here on
May s, and since that time only bitumin-
Gus coal has been received. other than
the two small barge loads received yes
terday and Thursday. consigned TO the
Atlantic mills.
The lack of coal, with the cold weather
close at hand, is a serious problem Tor
the people as a whole. and the price OF
ccal has so increased as TO be almost
prohibitlve But while the people who
have not coal may suffer during the win
ter the manufacturers and those VINO
need coal TO conduct business are strain
ing every effort to get such supplies as
will enable them to continue.
MANY of the manufacturers who have
not contracts will find themselves pretty
hard pushed and IL Is possible that some
of them will be compelled to shut down
unless the market assumes better aspect
in a few days Just how far reaching
this condition may be no one assumes
TO know and everyone finds a variance
with other conditions.
MANUFACTURERS CONTRACTS.
The large manufacturing establishments
have contracts, and. OF course, the coal
dealers will make every effort to continue
the supplies contracted for There is
some coal coming but IL Is but small
proportion OF the quantity that is de-
manded II the wants OF the manufac-
turers alone were 10 be considered
The large transportation companies VIII
not be seriously affected. The steamers
which ply south get sufficient coal at
Philadelphia and Norfolk to meet require
ments. and the steamer lines between this
city and New York can get a supply IN
that city, such as IL Is.
The Consolidated road, has, OF course,
what coal is needed, for the present, at
least and this corporation controls the
New line and the Providence line and
will make ample provision for the future.
The Rhode lSland company, dcCOTulnB 10
General Manager Potter. has on hand
sufficient coal for the needs of the COM
any, and the assumption is the other
companies affiliated with this company
have also coal for the present, at least.
The Providence Gas company has also
experience with the shortage, but not TO
the extent that some other concerns has.
and all of the coke produced is used by
the company for fuel and other purposes.
MAY BE FORCED TO USE OIL.
The Providence & Danielson railway
has a supply OF coal on hand, sufficient
for two weeks, and the president OF the
road. George w. Prentice. is seriously
considering the use OF oil as fuel In
fact, Il may be necessary for the COM
pany TO make provision for burning oil
under the boilers of its . new power
houses.
Up 20 the present time there has been
no advance IN the price of oil. There Is
an increasing demand for oil daily. and
a. is considered TO be economical for IL
can be used for heating. the supply shut
off. when no longer wanted, and II takes