The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-04
IS HIGH HERE
Mitchell People are Paying Higher Prices
for 6ard Coal Than is the Rule in
Many Other Towns.
Excellent Concert Was Thoroughly En-
dyed at the Presbyterian Church
Last Friday Night.
Jerauld County Teachers Have Formed
Sort Of a Uninn and Will Not
Teach for Small Wages.
THE PRICE OF COAL
What Mitchell People Pay in Com
parisOn to Prices in Several
Surrounding Towns.

The price of anthracite coal is the
all-absorbing topic as the winter
weather approaches. In the past six
weeks there has been an immense
amount of coal stored away in cellars
and bins in anticipation of a possible
shortage and higher priced coal dur
ing the winter months. People of
this city have put in their coal at
the rate of S11. SO per ton, with the
understanding that if coal should go
down they will be entitled to a re-
bate. While people here have been
paying this price they have heard
that in the surrounding towns coal
is sold all the way from 81 to so cents
a ton cheaper. There is always room
for some doubt about prices quoted
from other places and to make sure
of the facts The Republican has
made inquiry in four Or five other
towns that L located close to Mitch
ell, where the conditions are about
the same, at least the freight rates
being no higher, and in some cases
ought to be cheaper.
at Woonsockeu we were informed
that coal is selling for S11 per ton,
and that it had been no higher dur
ing the season. At Letcher the peo-
pile were buying all the coal they
wanted at Sll. The situation at Mt.
Vernon was a little different. It has
varied in price on account of local
competition. About three weeks ago
coal was selling there for $40. so per
ton, n dollar lower than in Mitch
ell. At the present time or the latter
part of last week one dealer sold an
thracite coal at $40 per ton. and an
other made the price of Sl1 per ton,
the former being quite a difference
in the price in Mitchell. At Alex
andria n finn made the statement
to the writer that they had put in
twenty tons Of coal at SIC. so, and
that other parties paid but $40. rs for
a ton or mo,e. At Fulton the situa-
tion is practically the same as at
Alexandria. At Ashton, 100 miles
north of Mitchell, hard coal has been
sold all this season for $40. SO per
ton, and it would seem that there
ought to not be such a d%ifferecne in
price.
Such are the facts that The Re-
publican has ascertained and tbev
are pl resented at the request of
many people Of the city, for the
reason that there has been quite a
good deal OF objection to paying any
more tribute to the coal dealers here
than anywhere else, and we cannot
see any reason for a higher price to
prevail here than IN any Of the sur
rounding towns. We understand
from a reliable source that a coal
dealer in Mitchell made the state
ment last winter that "any dealer
who made. more than a dollar a ton
profit on hard coal was doing an in
Justice to the people" That such
is the case at the present time is GER
tainly borne out by the facts secured
from these surrounding towns. The
prices Of coal at the docks is from
1920 to Sc. As, and the freight rate is
So. IS per ton. A little addition and
subtraction will give the idea how
the other towns can sell coal cheaper
than the people Of Mitchell can buy
it.