The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-14
FOREIGN
COAL IS
COMING
Ten Steamers Chartered 10 Bring
the Fuel From England and
the Canadian Provinces

During the next TWO months, perhaps
IN less than that time, at least ten car
goes Of foreign coal will reach this port,
and should the rebate OF duty on this coal
obtain II will be seen that the amount
that will be saved 10 the people of Provi-
dence alone will amount 10 a considerable
sum.
or these steamers eight have been char
tered by the Eastern Coal company and
two by John II. White & Son. The car
goes for the Eastern Coal company will
average something like 5000 tons each,
and the cargoes FOR John r. White & Son
will average about 1000 tons each.
In all tho total amount will reach close
90 80 900 tons and the amount OF duty TO
bo levied and rebated. II the bill be i'm
mediately passed by congress, will
amount to something like $2350o which
would be a considerable saving. to say
the least. The amount OF the duty and
tho protection that II affords to the
American coal operators is apparent.
The steamer Micmac. with Canadian
bltumnous coal, and the steamer Ohio,
with Welch bituminous coal, which AR
rived within the past five DAYS. are the
advance guard OF fleet OF ten steamers
chartered by the Eastern Coal company,
but the coal that has been purchased by
this company is almost all for steam
purposes.
The coal purchased by John r. White
e. Son is anthracitecoal and this Is a
much better and higher grade OF coal
than has been secured by the Eastern
Coal Co. The coal consigned to White a.
Son Is OF a class which has been burned
10 some extent In this city and has
given good satisfaction. This coal will ba
a l. ~.
company.
There were no arrivals OF vessels today
with coal and there have been but few
arrivals during the past few days. Tows
are expected here but these have been
weatherbound I'm ports In the sound.
There are several vessels discharging,
and the Eastern Coal co. has some OF
these. The steamer Micmac Is discharg-
ing Cape Breton coal at the Interstat to
wharf. and at the Little station the
schooner Charlotte w Miller Is dis
charging her cargo OF $50 tons OF soft
coal. The barge Emma. with 64S tons OF
anthracite Is also at this station await
ing her turn TO discharge.
The only Eastern berth that would ac-
commodate the big steamer Ohio has
been destroyed and this ship will be
lightered. This work has been begun. BY
the destruction OF the Pomeroy station
OF this company It's dischargeng faciii-
ties were reduced about a half. While a
contract has been made for tho rebuild
ing OF the station. this work will neces-
sarily be slow.
In order TO take care of the business
the company has determined to build an
other tower at the Interstate station and
by working the force OF workmen day
and night the company will do all possi-
BILE 10 take care OF its business. Wnen
the Pomeroy station shall be rebuilt II
I,~ ho thA al
station and besides. though the old sta
tion was more than ordinarily well equip
ped. the new station will have the best
or modern hoisting machinery.
IL will be two months. il IL believed
before the new station will be ready for
service and meantime the Interstate sta
tion will be worked 10 the limit. The
oargoes OF foreign coal that are To com
are expected within the next two months
and this will mean about one steamer a
week. One OF the steamers for John r
White a Son was TO leave yesterday
The coal for this company will come
principally from Cardiff The coal for
the Eastern Coal Co. will come principal
ly from Newcastle.
So far as the prospect Is concern II
freight rates are somewhat easier. but
for all that the rates have not lowered
10 any extent. There Is coal TO be had
which are considered almost prohibitive
by the large dealers Coal IL sold daily
To those who are willing TO pay the
price, and II Is commented that much Of
this coal IN purchased by people who
would pay $40 ton under stress OF cir
cumstances
ON the other hand the purchasers OF
small amounts. the consumers. have "a
pay the highest price because people wltn
practically no limit To their resources
will pay whatever Is demanded. Thee
is some coal coming but coal Is dlfcult
10 secure al almost any price. The vari-
Gus terminals are refusing tonnage and
II is difficult 10 get tonnage accepted Al
Of this makes the situation worse.
The incoming OF the foreign coal vii
help the situation some. II the people
will accept soft coal they will probably
not be compelled 90 suffer While some
individuals and some OF the smaller Arms
are asking for coat what the coal cost
them. the larger firms have made No
furthen advance For anthracite coal 81
II the price fixed by John II. White 4
SOL The Eastern Coal co. has no Goa
for sale IL may be that the price vii
continue TO advance. but this Is by nt
means certain. and the large dealc~s
will not advance prices untl compelled
10 do so.