The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-02
EXPECT COAL STRIKE,
BUT ARE READY FOR IT
Operators Figures Show That New
York Has Double the Usual
Supply at This Time.
IGNORE ENGLISH STRIKE
Local Coal Men Cannot See How II viii
Affect Us-Miners' Demands
in Detail. ...

The anthracite and bituminous coal
operators Of New York we're far more
concerned yesterday over the threatened
strike OF the miners In this country than
over the developments OF the English
strike and the prospect that the foreign
strike would involve other countries
which would cause heavy demand upon
the United States for coal. a.
Representatives Of the lagerst anthra-
cite operators. including the leading
railroads, were guarding zealously the
figures as to the amount of coal on
hand, but were willing to say. upon prom
ise that their names would not be used
that they have a larger supply than usual
at this time Of the year and thst they are
prepared for a slight suspension in the
mining districts. feeling that while the
miners in this country are certain to
walk out in April the strike will not last
long. A careful canvass Of the situat ion
yesterday shows that there is no posi-.
bility that there will be call from Europe
for anthracite from this country, because
II is used to scarcely any extent abroad.
and the cost Of shipping the anthracite
would be almost prohibtive. : ... .g..
Speaking for the bituminous. operators
a representative Of one Of the largest
concerns in this country said that English
vessels may take on enough coal at this
port to last during a round trip voyage
instead Of one way as at present.
Samuel p. Ortiz lawyer and stu
dent OF political economy. has been
in England studying labor conditions
for over year to gather material for
book on the subject. said last night
that the English coal supply will not
last over fourteen or sixteen DAYS and
that England has a food supply only,
sufficient for three weeks The shortage
Of coal has already tied up the ra ilroads.
and the situation is 80 Sc us that the Lib
eral Government is certain to step in and
force through legislation that will put an
end to the strike
From sources deemed to he reliable
The SuN learned yesterday that in case
OF strike, which is said TO be unav O liable,
New York il better stocked With coal than
in any prev ious year at this time and the
danger Of "a famine will depend upon
whether the strike is OF sufficient durat ion
to make it impossible to replenish the
coal supply here for an extended period.
When the strike talk began last fail
the operators all bent their ener gies to
work the mines to the limit. and they
were breaking all records when the sharp
cold spell set in early in Januaryand lasted
throu gh most Of February. This retarded
the work at the mines 80 seriously that
when the recent melting SHOWS and heavy
rains filled some OF the collieries and
caused temporary ishutdown at some
points the operators agreed that even
with the unusual supply on hand they
are only a little better of now than in
previous years when strikes have threat
ened.
John W. Skeele. who became president
yesterday OF the Lehigh Valley Goa
Sales Company and is one Of the men best
posted on the anthracite situation.
said that the supply of hard coal in New
York at present is not over 2 $50 900 tons,
but this supply is larger than usual by
several hundred thousand tons The
bituminous operators, who seldom have
much coal stored here but usu ally have
most OF their stock in nearby ports on
vessels, ready for delivery at any point
here when ordered. say that within day
or 80 they could dump 4.OOO. 900 tons into
tne metropolitan dlstrICt.
That this supply is larger than usual
is indicated by the figures on the CON
sumption Of coal in New York in the past.
Records gathered by Frederick +. Saward,
editor Of the Coal Trade journal, show
that for two years past the consumption
in New York has been about l 900 900 tons
wear. OF which over 5000. 600 tons was
anthracite and the rest bituminous Space
iu Manhattan and the other boroughs.
a. well as on the neighboring Jersey coast.
il 80 valuable that the local dealers have
seldom had more than 900 900 tons on
hand, 30 the present supply. based on the
figures OF the operators, Ia nearly twice
the normal amount.
At the office Of the Coal Trade Asso-
citation at 90 West street. an organization
composed Of dealers in both anthracite
and bituminous, IL was said that the local
dealers have only about the normal
amount on hand. II was learned, how
ever. that the dealers are advising their
customers TO put away supply to lasS
them some months, and for this reason
it is believed that the local dealers have
an unusually large supply in reserve.
Il don't care to have it known just how
much coal we have on hand" said the
general manager Of one large anthracite
company. A situation is very likely TO
arise which would make that information
as valuable to others as to us. and we
purpose to keep it secret IL possible We
have on hand more than We have ever had
at this season. however. and this in spite
Of tieups in the collieries because of water.
The heavy snowfall this winter has also
been an element of trouble. for it not
only retarded work at the mines but has
delayed coal trains aud made the supply |
of cars far below what it should be-"
man whose opinion will have weight |