The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-10-29
Question Is One Receiving
Serious Attention From
Retail Dealers.
WANT GREATER PROFIT
Hold That Public Failed to
Take Advantage of Sum
lncr Prices.

The question Of raising the price o.
coal has again become a matter of care
full consideration among the retal
dealers OF the city, many OF whom as
scrt that unless thc conditions thai
have prevailed Of late change, an IN
crease Will be found necessary TO their
business. Whether fhc advance VIII
actually take place seems to rest with
the railroads and the producers, AL
though tho retailers themselves appear
divided on the issue.
Since August coal has cost sJ.I.
for lump, and $3.50 for nut. per ton
which arc the rates that obtained at
the close of last winter. During May
June and July. n reduction OF % cents
per ton was allowed through the har-
monious decision of railroads, producers
and retailers. to permit of coal being
stored in large quantities by dealers
and consumers to meet the winter S dc.
mand.
Little Coal Stored
When the rates advanced 10 their
former figures III August, it was found
that far below the average amount OF
stored fuel was on hand, showing that
the opportunity had not been used 10
advantage. Forcseeing what they be-
lltN tu W It Il stNtIt Winter, Iuu 5IS'
declaring that they were unable TO get
any where near sufficient amount oil
coal on the local market because OF
the railroads lack Of cars and motive
power, retailers raised the cry of n
serious shortage, and expressed the fear
that cold winter would result in q
coal famine unless the railroads handled
shipments promptcr.
In this stand the producers stood
strong by the retailers for the most
part. many OF them claiming that the
mines were forced to close down MAN.
days in each month, because Of un.
favorable transportation facilities. On
the other hand, railroad officials de.
clared that the alleged shortage Of cars
and motive power Gid not exist, that The
companies could handle efficiently all
shipments and limiting that the cry
ralscu was probably ruse to secure
more business. This last intimatiou
the dealers and producers declared
ridiculous. saying that they had no fight
with the railroads, and that friendly
feeling on all sides was essential to the
business.
This agitation commenced three
months ago and still continues Dealers
declare that the storage reserves have
boen drawn on to supply the marke c;
and that an increase in the price OF coal
would be. Justified, considering the
small supply on hand and the proper
tIonately few shipments the railroads
were bringing here although big orders
had been gwen and taken.
Allege Small Profit.
1t is said that the retailers are now
trying TO got together TO bring about
raise in price. According to state
ments made. coal costs $2.l per ton
loaded on the cars at the mines. The
freight charge for nut and lump is
Sl.60 ton, which brings the price
of coal TO 81 upon arrival in Salt
Lake. Dealers generally charge 30
cents Il ton more for sacked coal than
loose. it is claimed that % cents is
paid teamsters for each delivery. Out
Of the margin of general profit, com
pan1es have 10 pay office rent, bills
essential 10 operation and interest on
capital invested.
John j. Critchlow of the Western
Fuel company. w, II. Sweet of the Con-
solldated Fuel company and other
prominent producers and retailers will
not definitely say that aD increase
would be unwecomc or uniustifiable.
Simon Bamberger and others, on the
other hand. declare that they will not
be parties to any advance. unless a
raise in freight rate or the cost Of pro.
dncing so necessitatcs. S. V. Dcrrsh,
assistant general freight agent of the
Denver d Rio Grapde, aud j. A. Reeves,
general freight agcpt of the Oregon
Short Line, assert that the railroads
do not contemplate any advance in coul
freight rates, that plenty of ears and
motive power mas be had TO move the
supply, especially since the heavy trans
continental traffic and beet shipments
arc closing their usual rush. The pro
duccrs arc divided on the question: but
generally maintain that an advance will
be in order unless the situation changes
for the better