The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-04
SO COAL PREDICTED
FOR NEXT WINTER

| OtoA COhA OpcIdIOES are preparing
to advance the wholesale price Of
coal so cents ton within few days
and as forerunner to the advance
for Salt Lake and other Utah points
the companies have advanced the
rate to 81 ton for Idaho, Nevada,
California, Oregon and Washington
shipments. At the present time coal
may be bought at the mines for
Utah delivery for SO ton.
Retail dealers and the sales agen-
cies of the coal mining companies de-
clare they do not know to what price
coal will go before next winter. It
was predicted yesterday by G.. w.
Smith of the Martin Coal company
and by John s. Critchlow, general
manager Of the Utah Coal Sales agen-
cy, that coal in Salt Lake might go
to So ton retail before the coming
winter is over At the same time It
was announced by the leading retail
dealers that they were more than
5000 tons of coal short for local de-
liveries at this time and that as yet
not pound Of coal has been placed
in storage. H. G. Williams of the
Utah Fuel company said last night
that the company had not considered
an advance~at this time and that a
decision to raise the price would have
to come from Denver.
With the last increase of SO cents
a ton by the mine operators in the
Utah fields the retailers increased the
retail price SO cents a ton. Coal
which was selling for $5.75 ton re-
tail month ago Is now retailing for
1925 a ton. With the increase of
so cents ton more to I've made ear
ly this month the retailers announced
yesterday they would be compelled to
advance the price of coal to the new
level of $6.75 ton. At the price
Of 1926 ton retail the local deal
ers are flooded with orders which
they cannot fill. In Idaho and other
states which are served by the Utah
mines the dealers have advanced their
prices to meet the new coal rates
which are in effect throughout those
states. The Standard Coal company
SO far as their circulars are concern
ed in Idaho, but the price Of 81 is
being put in force in Nevada.
Coal companies on the Pacific coast
are making an unprecedented demand
on the Utah mines for a great sur
plus of coal during the coming year.
and higher prices are being offered
there in order that the distributors of
the Pacific coast may be in position
to fill all of the contracts which they
have made with the shipping inter-
ests and with the government posts.
The Idaho dealers are asking for
coal at any price, and in order to
,are for their needs and for the needs
In this state the price was advanced
so cents ton to outside points In
order that the additional expenses Of
mining might be met. ~
Mr.. Critchlow said that the United
States Fuel company will take up the
matter of the advance of so cents a
on to Utah points within few days.
lie asserted that the companies
,ould not sell coal at SO a ton in
Utah and charge 81 ton in Idaho
md other states.
"The increase of SO cents ton in
Utah will be the natural sequence of
he increase in price in Idaho" said
lr. Critchlow. ut is not reasonable
o supposezthat Utah will get coal at
g when market for 81 coal exists.
he price of coal is going to 81 ton
etail in Salt Lake before the winter,
nd It may go to So ton. What the
rice will be no man can tell.
He yesterday issued a circular to
II Of the dealers In the intermoun-
ain country and on the Pacific coast
rging that the supply Of coal in the
'estern country be conserved. Salt
AXE Tribune.