The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-22
COAL is CHEAPER
Prices Are Coming Down Slow
ly in Topeka Now.
Dealers Are Trying To Co.
operate With Government.
PEOPLE URGED TO BUY SUPPLY
Several Firms Guarantee a Re.
fund on Fixed Price.
Local Committee May Be APP
pointed by Garfield.
PEOPLE URGED TO BUY SUPPLY

Altho dying hard. alleged excessive
retail coal prices in Topeka are sing
ing. TO the tune of impending gov
eminent price fixing. what consum-
ers believe to be their ballad of fare
well for the winter. The dealers
combine If one ever existed-opin-
ions differed-has been broken.
Since the government announced Its
tentative price on coal al the mines
the retail quotations on Semi-anthra-
cite. southern Kansas. Illinois and
Usage Goals have slunped from 25
cents TO 81 a ton. with number of
dealers delivering TO consumers sub
5eci to the retail price which H A
Garfield. fuel director. will fix shortly.
The McCleery-Dudley c O m p a Y.
which was the first Topeka concern TO
announce intentions of working in
strict accord with the government, Is
delivering coal in that manner So Is
P J. Monaghan. Of the Southwestern
Coal company. Under the policy Of
the two firms the coal may be ordered
and delivered to the consumer The
latter pays for it when delivered al
a price the firms and others adhering
II the same policy. call cost quota
tons For southern Kansas nut and
lump this price based on the price at
the mines. is SIS and $3.50; for semi
anthracite 50 and for Usage Sc. The
buyer is given receipt and when the
government sets permanent retail
price the buyer may receive refund
Of the difference should the govern
ment figure BE- lower than the price
paid
Prices Are Down
The aforementioned price for semi
anthra cite IS 81 lower than the retail
price in Topeka prior TO the govern
ment's action. and the reduction in
southern Kansas i % cents ton
Illinois coal Is selling at IS a ton or
81 ,ower than formerly.
Under the policy Of the dealers who,
IL j. cited. are making efforts to work
in cooperation with the government
there IS no necessity for consumers
waiting for definite Irices by the gov
eminent They may put coal in their
bins now and ultimately will pay the
government retail price Ordering
now viii do much the dealers say. TO
alleviate a coming shortage
The policy Of McCleery- Dudley and
the Southwestern. il Is shown by an
Investigation. is not the policy Of a
number Of the other dealers H. L.
Pe2pmyer. J. r. Billiard and Jackson
Walker stated today'that they are sell
ing Usage for SIS serni-anthracite for
So Illinois for $3.50 and southern
Kansas for SIS and $3.50. with no re-
fund II the government retail price
fixed is lower
Figures from the --ckson- Walker
fl-lG- snow lllHl LllHe are lAFN Nll1I
ing s. a ton for forked southern Kan
sas coal The price was formerly
SIS
Market l. Unsteady.
Token in all. the market Is IN
steady and ready TO fall at the mo-
ment Of government notice This
week several grades Of coal went down
from - TO SO cents a ton because.
dealers say. Of a furry in the whole
sale price Tie wholesale price went
UP gain and so did the retail price
here.
Dealers here are Of tn opinion
that the appointment Of a state direc-
tor By Garfield is only matter of
DAYS P J MonaEhan has letter TO
that effect from the national director
Cart. eld stated that local coal COM
rnittees in cities Of $4,000 or more
population would be appointed to as
sis the state director in setting retail
prices Monaghan has written TO Gar
field recommending committee for
Topeka and giving the names thereon
hut today said il would be a breach Of
faith disclose them