Evening journal., 1902-07-23

3JecOulb very StIlOuSs anu hOl bulg Nh1
people, but many of the dealers, are
feeling its bad effects. 1t has become
DO serious that at least five local deal
.rs have been forced to go out of busi-
less. AS it stands now, there is no
telling where the prices of coal may
s top. Most Of the large manufactur-
ng concerns have a sufficient supply
N hand for their present needs.
q The Harlan and HollingswOrth Com
NDany has a good supply of soft coal on
iand, and can get all it requires.
Il [ does not use rs much now as for
nerly. but could get it if necessary.
he Pusey and Jones Company, The
american Car and Foundry Company,
he Diamond State Steel Company and
Nhe steamboat companies have no trou-
le in getting their supply Of soft coal
he Joseph Bancroft and Sons Com
lany uses pea coal Before the strike
hat firm laid in a supply of pea coal,
ut the strike is holding out longer
han it expected. and its supply
diminishing rapidly.
Pea coal is almost as scarce as nut
Oal, and the firm will soon have to
Sc soft coal All the small coal deal
he last few days some PhiladelIhians
ave been here and visited the local
callers. They quote coal at $3.50 a
+ on wholesale, and the coal is of an in
erior quality. and they will not guar
s sntee it at that price. The Whining
ON dealers have been talking of ad-
ancing the retail price on the quoted
+ 'holesale price. This coal which the
Il Philadelphia agents put on the market
the only coal quoted, and is what is
nown as washery and first vein coal
Dealers would have to advance their
rices if they purchase this material
t $3.50 a ton, as that would be much
bore than they are now getting for re-
bill prices. Coal merchants who
ave any of the material
Or sale say they receive about three
r four orders a day. They are in guam
fties Of quarters and half tons and
cry few ton orders are being received.
pne ton is the largest amount a per-
on can purchase.
The merchants feel that they must
rotect the interests of their customers
nd try to make their supply last as
bng as possible. that all those who
s ish TO purchase may have a chance to
o so.
Some of the dealers took in all
pc orders they could until their sup
y was exhausted, and then they sold
ut their property and quit the
usiness. Others are endeavOring
get rid Of their stock as soon
possible, SO that they also can &c
At Of business.
Although some few families antici-
itcd the strike and laid in their win
supply Of coal early in the spring
e greater number of people have not
Dne so, and how they are going to get
10 necessary supply for the winter is
orrying many a man who has a family
care for. The dealers themselves
e as much in the dark in this matter
their customers. They have nc
cans Of getting coal at any price The
"a and nut coal they cannot get and
hat coal there is in tine city is large
eater coal.
a few dealers have a small supply oil
{ ut coal on hand. The merchants eX-
hct to see the strike settled about the
rst of September. but even if it is they
not expect to be able to purchase
ly coal until the middle OF October
Bcause there will be such a demand
# it, and the prices will be so higI
r a time. The coal in the Wilmington
ards would average from 75 to 40C
ms each. 1t is mostly large size coal
n which there is the least demand
lille the supply of nut coal. which is
bed by all families, is almost eX
busted. Many of the merchants Wink
Rd a large suppy on hand also haC
veral orders at SO a ton on theil
Doks. and when these were filled theil
pply had greatly diminished.
Soft Coal Plentiful at Mines
Soft coal is selling for 1925 a ton a
@ mines. and is very plentiful.
There is only one thing that keeps
any of the local merchants in tm
Isiness now. That is the little prof
ey make on the sale of lime and sane
builders, and from the sale of WOOD
private families. They hope to make
It in this way until the trouble is ovel
ld they can start up again.
The railroads seized the coal on thu
pes when the strike was declared, bu
lie or two companies have since re
ciStu IL lOI Specific loaoohof NAAiN ~
hers have refused to give it up.
There are about 1900 tons of coal il
e city at present. 1t is hard to tel
hen the prices will change. They MAJ
advanced in a few days, and the.
ay not be changed until the strik
IS been ended.
The well-known firm of Fell
pseEh, of this city, has called a sal
ID gone out of the business. Thre
four other merchants also will quit
be strike has much to do wit
cir giving up their business, but tn
incipal reason is they are tired o
wing long credit to customers. The.
e unable 10 collect outstanding bills
]. d they say that people will not pa.
lfz en- until they are Obliged to do Sc
w veral of the retail coal merchant
We been talking of the dealers goini
gether and agreeing to sell their ma
~ zrial on nothing but cash basis, ant
ime agreement in this line has alread,
x en reached.
One large coal dealer of this cit,