The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-20
PRICE OF
SOFT COAL
IS Lower
A Drop TO $3.50 Today From
SlO Saturday by Local Dealers
Is Reassuring TO Citizens.

While there Is no more coal coming 10
Providence than has been the case since
the beginning OF the strike OF the anthra-
cite miners. there appears 10 have been
complete relief from anxiety since IT
was announced there was every probable
ity of settlement. The people who impor-
tuned the local coal dealers are awaiting
as patiently as they can the coming OF
coal. and there is general belief that the
price for coal will soon reach a normal
figure.
While q Is realized that II will take
time after the miners resume work. for
the coal to be mined and for transporta-
ton to tdewater and shipment, 81 is also
generally believed that the coal operators
will find employment for every man pos
sible and the demand for coal will receive
some supply after the first week the men
have worked.
There is no doubt the conditions which
obtain in Providence and Rhode Island
obtain elsewhere quite generally and that
the great demand for coal Will far exceed
the daily supply, yet II Is hoped that Il
will be possible for the operators to get
coal distributed so as TO meet the imme-
date needs and then as rapidly as possl-
bic forward the coal to all parts.
The market for wood yet remains good.
All persons who have wood TO sell have
no difficulty In disposing OF the stock on
hand and many people have bought
largely OF wood in anticipation OF diff
Guilty I'm getting coal But whether wood
be necessary or not II IL fact that the
wood Is not a bad investment and IL can
10
be cheap and plentiful. Under the exist
ing conditions men familiar with the coal
trade believe that II will be a long time
before the local coal supply reaches what
might be termed a normal condition.
II IL also realized by those familiar with
the coal trade that transportation by wa
ter increased I'm difficulty as the year
grows older and that this will be more or
less OF handicap TO securing cargoes
OF coal However, IL is believed that
every available facility for the shipment
OF coal will be taken advantage OF and
that coal will be hurried from the ship
ping ports with the greatest expedition
with the failure to secure coal the thou
sands OF people OF the city who sought
some substitute turned 80 oil and gas
heaters. and thousands OF stoves for the
use OF gas and oil have been procured.
Generally good results have been secured
and while not altogether convenient IL
Is fair 20 assume that the failure OF the
local dealers to get the supply they desire
will not cause a great deal or distress
Further than this many people will use
such substitutes as have been secured
rather than pay large prices for coal. The
demand for oil and for gas has largely
Increased. and the Providence Gas COM
pany r. producing the largest amount OF
gas I'm the history Of the corporation
With these two resources the residents
feel somewhat treasured.
The price OF coal today. that is soft
coal has been fixed at $3.50 a ton. n de-
crease Of sl.JO ton from Saturdays
prices thus following quickly the action
OF the New York dealers IL will be ac-
cepted generally by the manufacturers
and persons who supply heat and power
that there Is suriciency OF coal avail
able TO meet the demands. for were this
not so the price OF soft coal would never
have fell
"A a whole, the prospect is quite as
suring There Is no doubt that fuel will
be more plentiful and the prices Will fall
dealers will do all they can 20 protect
thetr customers. and 90 meet their con-
tracts. and n As not too much TO expect
that the people will have fuel enough 10
keep them warm and busy incidentally.
N might be considered that the people. In
view OF the conditions which have. OBJ
tained, will practice economy. and 80
there may be said 20 be no reason Go fear
the incoming winter with It's consequent
hardships and privations.
Giant-The elass-eater has lost his sob