Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-10-01

ASS1u.anAIn NyLiiSi
[Continued from First Page.l

lCOntlnue0 from E1fSJ IaSc.1
80 per cent. above the retail gross
margin of 1915.
While the new ruling, which was
announced yesterday, became effec-
tive at O'Clock this morning, Har-
risburg dealers are not ready to
make adjustments, if the prices are
to be adjusted as result of the or
der, at this time. Not few of the
dealers declare that the services OF
experts will be required to deter
mine what the retail gross margin
was in 1915.
Following a great protest from the
users of pea coal over tn eprice liked
by the President in his proclamation
OF August 23, the fuel administra-
tor issued another order reducing
the price of pea coal +. o. b. the
mines. Compared with the original
proclamation and the price fixed by
the more recent order the reduction
is sixty cents q ton, as follows:
Original price. Hew price.
White ash. ... $500 $3.4O
Red ash .:.... 4.10 $50
Lykens Valley ABS 3.75
In his order describing the method
by which retail coal and coke deal
margins, viz, the difference be-
tween the average cost of coal or
coke at the retailers yard, wharf, or
siding and the price at which he
sells it to the consumer, Doctor
Garfield said:
Under the plan announced, the
retailer ascertains his retail margin
in the year 1915, when more normal
conditions prevailed than at pres
lit Il NAt to
ceed 80 per cent. of that margin,
which, of course, includes his profits
at that time. 1t is provided, how
ever, that in no case shall the gross
margin added by any retail dealer
exceed the retail margin added by
him during July, 1917.
"The first consideration of the
fuel administrator must be to get
coal to the consumer, and the deal
ers cannot be expected to make the
extraordinary efforts which they
must make this winter, if everybody
is to get coal, unless they are given
a reasonable profit"
Prices May Advance
1t is conceded that in some COM
munities the percentage of increase
in the present cost of the retail coal
business is more than 80 per cent.
in excess of the cost in 1915, and
there is a strong possibility that coal
prices may be advanced in this city.
Dealers are of the opinion that con-
sumers may expect q slight advance
on all grades except pea coal. Pea
coal, having been reduced so cents
per ton at the mines, is not likely to
advance.
All dealers agree that cheaper
coal is out of the question. Some OF
those interviewed are of the opinion
that the present schedule may be
maintained, but others insist that a
slight advance will be necessary.
Some interesting sidelights on the
present situation were brought out
by the dealers in discussing DR.. Gar
fields new order.
II don't see how coal can GO
lower" remarked one dealer. Some
time ago l took an. order for a con-
siderable quantity of pea coal al
1928 q ton. Pea coal now costs me
$50 on the cars. l haven't figured
up just how much l am losing on
every ton ] deliver under the old
agreement, but it's plenty. A con-
tract is a contract, and Ill fill the
agreement.
Coal is one dollar ton higher
than last year." commented another
dealer. That's not strange. Shoes
are 100 per cent. higher, with other
things in proportion"
I'VE are required to pay a prem
ium of 75 cents ton on fully two
thirds of the coal we are buying to-
day, remarked another coal man
Last month we ordered 100 cars,
and received 10. Some of the cars
contain as much dirt as coal. One
can't be particular, either. We are
compelled to take what we can get. "
The possibility that the people OF
this city will be required to pay a
higher price for their winters sup
ply of coal than they are now pay
ing has not been kindly received
by the average householder here.