The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-20
COAL PRICES
HOLD THREAT
OVER HEADS
Of FLORISTS
dollhouse Owners Foresee
Havoc With Their Business
Unless Change Comes Before
Beginning of Frosty Weather.
By BILL PRICE.

hlRh prices OF bltumlnous coat
will play havoc with dollhouse vege-
tables and flowers this winter, Wash
ington growers today told The
Times.
Just how serious the situation
will be they say they cannot now
tell, much depending on continued
high prices and alleged scarcity Of
the fuel that enables winter vege-
tables and flowers to be placed upon
the market.
The outlook is as gloomy else
where in the country as in Wash
ington, and the fear is general that
thousands Of growers may be forced
out Of business entirely, running in
vestments that run in value into
millions of dollars.
Doubled In Price.
In this city one large grower OF hoE-
ers has already decided TO close his es-
Enlistment at the beginning Of winter,
and only those who are financially
strong are prepared to face the possible
losses. Coal that has heretofore cost
hothouses $50 per ton now costs 81.
and TO this u added the scarcity of
labor. although the labor problem il not
the most serious one.
Growers are unable to lay in supplies
Of coal ahead. despite the fact that they
are engaged in persistent efforts to pick
up extra supplies. 1t is absolutely nee
essary. it was said today, that thsre
should be some surplus OF coal on hand
at each dollhouse bscause sudden turns
TO lower temperature Involve additional
coal In severely cold weather the ex-
ira consumption Of coal is exceedingly
heavy, To permit the steam to die out
Tor thirty minutes on a very cold night
would cost the immediate loss Of all
tender flowers and vegetables.
To Washington and other large
cities Of tie country the outlook is
more than significant. The consump-
tioh OF dollhouse Vegetables here has
grown steadily for many years, and
the industry generally, recognising
the demand for winter vegetables at
fancy prices, has put millions of dol
lars into new and enlarged plants.
With the food situation everywhere
causing apprehension, the shutting
down Of dollhouse plants does not
promise much hope.
EKPansIoh Plans Dropped.
As the nations social center in the
winter season, the use OF winter
flowers here il enormous. The in
rushing additional population would
ordinarily lead Washington florists 10
increase their output OF flowers. but
they will not, it was stated today, lay
plans in that direction now. There
are fifty plants in the District grow
ing flowers all the year, and that
some will go out OF business entirely
is certain. A few Of these will turn
to the raising OF early spring veEe-
tables. requiring little. IL any, heat
William F. GUIDE left Washington
this afternoon for New York to attend
the annual convention OF the Society
of American Florists. He is chair
man Of the committee on tari6 and
legislation of that organization and
its legislative representative here.
He will submit TO the convention q
report Of the dangers confronting the
flower growers from the coal scarcity,
and the organization will take up the
question Of trying to obtain relief.
The coal menace hangs over
American florists from California TO
Maine" Mr.. GUIDE said today, threat
ening everybody alike.
There are big establishments
around Chicago and New York using
10000 TO 10000 tons OF coal each
winter. There are likewise great
plants for winter vegetables, the
owners OF which are like ourselves,
doing everything possible to meet the
dangers.
Crippled Express Service.
Both flowers and vegetable grow
ers are threatened from another and
new direction. This Is in the Grip
pied express service throughout the
country. The heavy demands upon
the express companies. together with
inability to get competent new en-
plOyes, is resulting in the loss of
thousands of dollars of perishHble
goods, through delays. Flowers sent
by express to weddings and funerals
are subject to unusual delay. and con
Eequent loss. That subject will be
brought up al our convention, but
just what We are TO do. in view Of
the war demands everywhere, we
hardly know"