Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-13
THE II COAL SHORTAGE
Local Investigation at the
Capitol Resumed.
TERMINAL FACILITIES
DECLARED TO BE WHOLLY IN
ADEQUATE.
Secretary Baum Of the Coal Dealers
Association Heard This
Afternoon.
FACILITIES

Mr.. W. A. Baum. secretary OF the Coal
Dealers Association appeared this after
noon before the subcommittee of the Sen
ate committee on the District Of Columbia
appointed to investigate the coal situation
in the District. He testified that in about
1900 the coal dealers were annoyed by a
certain class OF dealers who sold coal at any
price. and depended upon what they could
steal out of the coal for their profits.
That had caused the coal dealers to come
together and make an effort to stop these
unprincipled practices, and this they had
done. They had asked the Commissioners
to detail a policeman in each precinct in
order to detect attempts to sell coal at
underweight. but the Commissioners could
not spare the men for that duty. and the
to bring about a reform.
Three or four years had resulted In a
change In this condition and now the busi-
ness was conducted on an honest basis, by
which dealers gave 2.240 pounds to the
ton and sold clean coal, getting their profits
legitimately.
In December, 1901, he said. when there
were forty inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
after which there was thaw resulting i'll
flooding the mines and In the destruction of
-
danger of a coal famine as at present.
This had been kept from the people Of
Washington, and the members OF the Coal
Dealers Association. by means of their
at the regular price. In his own case he
sold coal at the regular price, although
when shipments were resumed he was en-
tirely without coal in his yards
Mr.. Baum said that his own experience
during the present fall and winter was that
n
residence. while he had sold coal at So 70 a
ton which he might have put in his own
home
"Unfortunately." said Mr. Baum, 1.-THE
people Of this city do not understand the
situation properly
He insisted that his firm, ]. Maury Dove
& Co.. had sold all the Reading coal they
had received at the regular price Of $7.25.
them and asked them why they did not
provide coal at any price. as they were
willing to pay more and wanted them to
get the coal for them.
Terminal Facilities Inadequate.
Mr.. Baum explained the terminal facili-
ties Of the railroads here, and said that
they were wholly inadequate to the de-
mands of business. He stated that they
were the same as the facilities of ten years
ago. and their inadequacy had been dis
cussed by his association on a number Of
occasions They were simply blocked when
they attempted to handle supplies.
Mr.. Johnson Writes Again.
Mr.. v. Baldwin Johnson has written an
other letter to Senator Stewart, saying
that he regards his further appearance be-
fore the committee as uncalled for. and re-
iterates his view that he is right in refus-
ing to disclose any information which In
wolves an invasion of his rights. He In
closes tine opinion of his attorney Justify
ing his refusal to give the facts asked for
by Senator Stewart Of the examining COM
mittee.- ----c-a.tE sr.l- y
Independents Sell Their Own Coal.
The investigation into the coal situa ton
in the District Of Columbia was continued
yesterday afternoon by Senator Stewart in
the room Of the District committee. After
The Star report Of the proceedings was
closed Mr.. Lounsbury. who was called as
the agen for the Reading road for handling
its coal here. was heard. He was asked
how it happened that the independents are
selling so much more coal now than for
merly. He replied that before the strike one
tenth of the coal handled by the Philadel-
phia and Reading Coal and Iron COMPANY
was produced by the independent operators
Now these Independent operators are SELL
Ing their coal direct. He could not say what
were the terms OF the contract between the
this coal was formerly purchased or how It
happened that the independents were not
obliged to continue selling to the Reading.
IF the Independent operators have violat-
ed their contract IN selling coal how does
it happen that your company furnishes
them cars" asked Senator Foster of Louis
lana.
Il understand" replied Mr.. Lounsbury,
that we are compelled as common carriers
to furnish cars to the Independents who
have cOllierieS on our lines"
The witness said he had received about
sixty-three cars of coal day during De-
cember. He could not say how much of that
coal had gone to the government.
Coal for Post Office Department
A. w. Machen of Machen Brothers went
on the stand and made an explanation in re-
lation to the coal his firm have furnished the
Post Office Department. He said his firm are
now furnishing coal under a contract to de-
liver the department 800 tons. This coal
was sold to the department at $3.50 ton,
and he said that it cost his firm when de-
livered A.S5 ton.
You lose about cents a ton?' inquired
Senator Stewart.
Five cents a ton" said Mr. Machen.
Mr.. Machen said his firm had bought 200
tons of coal to fill this contract with the
department for $4.10 ton on the track
here. Then they bought 1.50O tons for $4.20,
and 1t is from the last lot that they are
now filling their contract with the depart
ment.
A Profit Of 40 Cents a Ton.
w. A Barker of Albright & Barker, tes.i-
fed that his firm were purchasing coal from
the Reading company and selling 1t to the
trade. They charged 40 cents ton for this
coal more than it cost them and placed no
restriction Of those who bought 1t as to the
price at which 1t was to be sold. They had
handled In this way In November and De-
ceInber $500 tons of coal. They had sold
this coal for $500 and 1915.
Mr.. Barker made very clear to the COM
mittee the fact that he purchases this coal
from the Reading company and then sells
1t to the trade here. not being the agent of
the Reading.
Contract With Independents.
Perry Johnson of Johnson Brothers testi-
fed. He had been told by member Of the