The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-14
GRAND FORKS COAL
DEALERS FEAR
Bins Well Filled by Consum-
ers Delay in Making
Their Purchases.

That the people of Grand Forks
should commence at once to lay in a
supply of hard coal in order to pre-
vent an impending shortage this fall
this city, and there are other motives
behind the warning than merely to
provide for early deliveries.
Unless more hard coal Is produced
between now and the coming of cold
weather than appears possible at the
present time, and more shiploads
reach Duluth, Milwaukee and Chicago
h ever before, there is bound to be
a shortage In the northwest which will
in all probability affect Grand Forks
TO q considerable extent.
Urge Dealers to Stock Up.
Prominent railroad officials have
flooded the northwest with letters urg-
ing the retail coal dealers to stock up
early in order to get around the prob
able scarcity later in the season. Local
coal dealers have followed out this
advice, but the responsibility rests
largely with the people, they say.
Sheds Here Well Filled.
Inquiry at the various local offices
today proved that the Grand Forks
dealers have their sheds filled to ca
pacity, and there is nothing to prevent
prompt delivery of all the hard coal
ordered.
In the majority Of instances, how
ever, the bins of the consumers are
empty, and with the demand that is
sure to develop within Il few weeks,
the supply on hand will be quickly
exhausted. Those who are in a posi-
ton to secure their winters supply at
this time should do SO, say the local
dealers, so that their sheds may be
emptied and refilled in time to escape
the impending shortage.
Consumers are Delaying.
AT one company's office this morn
Ing it was stated hat there is plenty
of coal on hand at the present time,
but the consumers are delaying in
making their purchases, and a drain is
likely to come When cool weather sets
in that will place the dealers at a great
disadvantage.
Leslie Stinson declared hat n seri-
Gus situation is likely to develop I'M
less the consumers take advantage of
the opportunity now at hand to secure
a sufficient supply.
People Must Cooperate.
Steve Collins stated that the people
of Grand Forks should cooperate with
the coal dealers at this time in pre-
venting n shortage later on in the city.
Information from the head of the
Wakes is to the effect that there is a
shortage of 100000 tons at this time,
and it stands the people in hand to
prepare for the emergency which is
bound to develop.
Similar sentiment was expressed at
another cOmpany's Office, and dealers
in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks
are making every effort possible to
prevent the shortage, but the coopera-
ton OF the consumer is necessary i'm
mediately.
Probable Scarcity Soon.
A famine is not only a possibility,
but with the coming of mid August
with only $4,000 tons of anthracite on
the big Duluth docks, where at the
beginning of winter 1,00O, 900 IONS or
distribution, IL condition is presented
which means a probable scarcity even
before the big demand of winter is
felt.
Spring Strike Blamed.
Beginning April ! and continuing
through April and May the strike held
down production" said a manager of
a coal company. 1.-The output went
down materially. I believe that state
ments recently made by Fred Upham
of Chicago hat Chicago is going to
feel h pinch, and estimates of Geo.
II. Gushing, a statistical authority in
the industry, that the country produc-
ed 100000 tons less coal than in the
year before. and that the shortage now
is about 15,500.0 900 tons are not far
out of the way
In 1912 hard coal sold in the west
eL1 markets at $40 a ton and higher.
mo coal dealer will make n predic-
ions as to future prices. They say,
however, h a coal cannot possibly be
any lower.