Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-18
A SCARCITY OF CARS
COAL SHIPPERS CANNOT SECURE
ADEQUATE MEANS OF TRANS.
PoRTATIoN.
The Retail Coal Trade is Dull Accord
ing to the Black Diamond of chica-
so-Prices on Bituminous Are
Stronger But Affected by Car Famine

Chicago, H., Aug 14-The Black
Diamond, reviewing the western coai
trade tomorrow, will say:
The question of transportation seems
to be. uppermost in the minds of many
coal shippers at this time. During the
past week there have been frequent de-
lays in securing cars, and in some in
stances mines have been obliged to
close down in Indiana and Illinois,
owing to the shortage of cars or the
congestion along lines of road reach.
ing some of the principal mining cen
tiers. But conditions in the west have
not been nearly as bad as from points
in Ohio, West Virginia and western
Pennsylvania, where the mines in quite
a number of instances are working on
ly half time. The car shortage is fav-
ing no immediate effect, other than to
lead shippers to give more careful at
tention to the future and to take care
full cognizance of everything which is
likely to have a. bearing on the trans
portation problem from the early part
of October till the end of March. In
some quarters it is felt that as much
difficulty will be experienced in getting
coal forward the coming winter as was
experienced a year ago, while in 9TH
ers it is said railroads have promised
and have taken steps to keep that
promise, that there would be an i'm
proved service. Transportation will
hove more or less Of an influence on
prices from this time forward, and
when there are delays in movem ent or
shippers are enlarged on certain
lines, thus creating a temporary scar
city of coal, it is probable that values
will show a stronger tone while these
conditions last.
Should Take More Anthracite.
I'm the anthracite trade reports are
almost unanimous that the dullest sea-
son Of the year is at hand and that de-
mand. both from shippers and retail
ers of coal will be light during the next
three or four weeks. Shippers are urg-
ing retailers to take larger supplies of
coal, and are also urging them to use
their influence to secure orders from
consumers for immediate delivery,
fearing that if all the remaining bust.
ness is crowded into the last few
months of the year, difficulties may
be encountered in the movement of
coal which will seriously handicap
householders in getting supply when
they require it. Following the close of
the season Of navigation, much of the
current tonnage is at present being
taken care of by way of the great
lakes will move all-rail. 1t is feared
that all-rail transportation may not be
adequate to the task of moving it, and
the coal will be delayed in transit,
causing a repetition to a lesser degree
of some of the events of last winter.
Shippers say that this can be avoided
if the householders do not wait too
long before placing their orders, or if
they take hold Immediately. There
will be plenty of dock room, and very
heavy tonnage can be transported by
water, which will furnish relief later
on.
Lake Tonnage.
Movement of anthracite to lake ports
continues to be we'll distributed. Mil
waukee which was short of coal some
thirty days ago is receiving heavier
movement according to report, and the
trade in that territory is receiving
more prompt shipments. Minor ports
are also coming in for a share of the
attention with the result that some of
the smaller companies are stocking
some coal. The receipts at Chicago
are comparatively heavy, but on docks
along the Chicago river movement is
interrupted to some extent, or, to more
properly express it, is not as large as
1t otherwise would be, owing to the diff
ficulties of navigation caused by the
tunnels. The head of the lakes is re-
oeiving its share of the tonnage move
ment and total tonnage for the lakes
continues to be the heaviest known.
Retail Trade Dull.
In the retail branch of the anthracite