The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-23

i, ana AFTER tIlat ume VIII 0ellEcF
none at all "--Dec1aration made by
p. j. Monaghan of the Southwest
ern Coal company, which holds the
contract to supply the city with coal
until November 4, to r. NJ. Painter,
superintendent of the city light
plant.
Despite the fact that Monaghan has
500 tons of coal, the kind used at the
electric light plant, stored in his yards
the coal dealer is making good his
threat. according to Painter. who as
serted today that in the last month
there hasn't been enough coal at the
light plant ito fry eggs
According to the light plant super
intendent the city is supposed to re-
ceive five carloads of coal each month.
So far this month, he said, only one
carload has been delivered. The re-
mainder of the supply has been OBJ
tanned from Monaghan's yards in wag
ons, in wheelbarrows, the electric light
plant employees transferring four or
five tons from the yards to the plant
every night in wheelbarrows. Painter
registered a complaint to Monaghan
today declaring that if a shortage was
to be experienced at the plant every
night, he, Painter, would see what he
could do.
May Buy in Open Market
The superintendent said today that
in case the shortage does continue
the city will go into the open market
and purchase coal at any price and
take the excess over the contract price
out of amounts now due Monaghan
for coal delivered. This, he declared,
can be done in accordance with the
contract drawn up with the South
western Coal company last fall. This
plan of bringing the coal dealer to
Ir.,-e
superintendent of the city waterworks
who is also facing a coal shortage
The light plant" Painter said
uses about II tons of coal every
night. The coal company has been
hauling tons day just before 6
O'Clock in the evening for the last
month. The remainder of the supply
has been transferred by plant EN-
ployes from Monaghans yards, where
500 tons are stored in the pile, in
wheelbarroWS.'
The future, according to both Shaw
and Painter, is more gloomy. Monag-
han has declared that he will not bid
for next years contract Some time
ago Frank Newland, water and lights
commissioner, was given opportunity
to hear that unless he allowed a
50-cent ton increase asked by Non
aghan above the contract price that
the city would get no bids from any
dealer on the next contract.
Line Up Outside Dealers.
Already both the city water and
lights departments have been forced
to take steps to forestall any plan of
leaving the city without coal Paint
er and Shaw have both been in COM
munication with outside coal dealers.
Painter this morning received a let
ter from an Oklahoma concern which
he says will furnish a better grade of
coal for the money than that offered
by Topeka dealers. In the letter
prompt shipping and good service are
both guaranteed.
Action by the city commissioners as
to next years fuel supply is waiting
until Thursday, the day when bids
from local dealers must be on file.
Then they will take the project up at
the meeting Thursday.
In accordance with the report to
the effect that no dealer in the city
would bid on next years contract
Painter stated this morning that
Monaghan's company was not the only
one that has declared it wouldn't
bid on next years supply. Several
companies have made the assertion,
Painter said. This was after the city
had served notice on Monaghan that
his requested so cents a ton increase
would not be allowed.