The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-21
BRISK
DEMAND
FOR COAL
Many Orders and Miserable Con.
dltl0n Of Streets Makes Deal.
ers 10 Days Behind.

a considerable proportion OF the people
or Providence and vicinity evidently were
cauS5nt mapping by the recent period OF
cold weather. Having had mild weather
for something like a month the majority
OF pecsyie accepted the BELIEF there was
to be little, IL any more cold weather or
snow the remainder of the winter.
Again. many peoIse assumed because
the price OF coal had been reduced there
was every reason to believe coal would
be further reduced in price and SO the
majority staggered along with what coal
was on hand and firmly believed there
was much wisdom in 40 doing. The large
quantities OF coal In the harbor was con-
sidered ample reason for such a course.
SO when the thermometer Eel as though
the bottom WAS Knocked out and the
snow piled up in drifts there was neces-
sity OF more heat and In many Instances
the small aDOsunt OF coal on hand was
speedily disstpated. And then the coal
dealers were flooded with ord~rs for coal
OF all Kinds.
The result Is that orders came I'm ss,ch
numbers that the dealers are from one
10 two weeks behind on deliveries and
further TIE condition OF the streets il
such that none Of the dealers can begin
TO deliver coal at pace to keep up with
the orders And while IL is not assumed
that PRESENT conditions will continue for
any great length OF time IL Is a matter
or discomfu-t TO many people who need
coal.
There has been no change in prices
and there IL no reason TO believe there
will be any while the present conditions
obtain. The cost Of soft coal r. now s5.7b
ton and white ash, all sizes save pea
coal. Is $3.50 "a ton. Lehigh coal IL IS
a ton. The n'eight rates quoted average
about rs cents a ton between Providence
and New Yori..
The coal dealers are SO busy now that
they are sendisg peaopie who want coal
for immediate delivery to the yards with
carts. because precedence cannot be given
the one order ov CT another save In a case
OF emergencq.
not been greatly reduced. II IL believed
there is close to 75.000 tons Of all kinds OF
coal In various era fits afoat In the harbor.
with the quantity discharged. The IA
cilfties OF the Com Soldated road and the
dealers are pushed 10 the limit. but whle
tons daily by working day and night and
the work Is continua d on Sundays without
cessation, there has been no material
gain.
The arrivals of Goa during the present
week have not been large I'm number, but
enough coal has come in to at least
equal that discharged the stormy and
cold weather being strong handicap.
The inability OF the ra ilroad company to
get cars Is another dra wback; The coal
must be shipped, but with the line and
yards blocked with snow and dearth OF
cars. the railroad is ha wing a strenuous
is something like taxea. never ceasine'
and the delay on all foreig ncargoes is
four cents ton daily from the time OF
The demurrage on dome site shipping is
six cents ton after a certain number or
days allowed for discharsing. according
booms along beautifully when a craft IN
Aetained a couple OF weeks, and the pur-
CHASER has to pay the freight in this case
1Hie steamship Unique, Capt. Bjoness.
CarAifr, arrived yesterday with 24OO tons
OF ccNll for the verley Line, after a tenn
pestuols voyage OF Is days. The steamer
encountered more than ordinarily heavy
weather but came through without partic-
ular damage. though the ship was con-
slderably kattered by the sea The cargo
will be handled by the Providence Coal
Co. The ship is OF the turtle deck type
and will need but few repairs before
sailing.
Today the arrivals Included the barses
r. r. Thomas and Hamilton Fish. both
from Newport News. The barge William
II. McClave came In with a cargo OF coal
for Pawtucket, and the schooner T. p
Avery brought $50 tons OF anthracite from
Hobokcn TO John r. White & Son
The Ice in the harbor for several days
has made IL difficult for the tugboat men
TO handle the steamers and barEes and
docking OF the vessels has only been ac-
complisEed under decidedly adverst cir
cumstanoes The cold weather has made
life anything but pleasant for the men
who work on and along the river. The
thick fog OF this morning made noyiga-
ton OF the river and harbor more than
ordinarily uncertain and hazardous, but
no accidents were reported. the majority
OF men not taking chances and remaining
at anchor or at the whaIves until the fog
cleared