Evening star., 1917-12-02
HIGHER COAL PRICE
TO D. c. CONSUMER
Those Informed Predict 85'
Cents a Ton Advance
on Anthracite.
WAGE DEMAND THE CAUSE

Forecast of a general advance of IS
cents a ton in the price of anthracite
coal to the consumer in Washington
was made by officials and well inform
ed dealers last night following an or
der by President Wilson which added
IS cents a ton to anthracite coal at
the mines to meet a proposed wage in
crease for miners.
The other so cents that the consumer
in the District of Columbia will be
forced to pay for coal comes from the
increase in price granted local retail
ers by the District Fuel Administra-
ton. This 50-cent increase was an
nounced yesterday in order. it was
said, to enable dealers to make a rea-
sonable profit on coal delivered here
by drivers. who have threatened to
strike unless their wages are raised.
That the s5 cents added by the
Presidents order to coal at the mines
will cause a corresponding jump in the
retail price here was the opinion ex-
pressed by a fuel official last night
who is coonversant with every phase
OF the coal industry in Washington.
May Take Place at once.
The jump in price may become effec-
tive at once, as the retail increase
granted dealers by order OF the Dis
trict fuel administration became enec-
tive yesterday, the date on which the
increase granted on coal at the mines
went into effect.
After a systematic process OF organi-
zation the ofice Of the distributor OF
terday to render minute reports OF
coal supplies which reach the capital
and which start from the mines for
this city. Circular forms were issued
to the railroad companies. on which
they will be required to report the
number Of cars of coal arrived. the
capacity of each car, the consignee,
name of shipper and other facts re-
lated to its disposal here. A sharp dis
tinction will be drawn by the fuel ad-
ministration between cars of coal re-
ported arrived" and those which are
actually in the yards waiting to be
unloaded.
Dealers to Make Reports.
Beginning this week dealers will be
furnished with similar forms on which
they will be expected to report to John
L. Weaver. federal fuel administrator
for the District arrival of cars of coal
consigned to them and the progress
they are making in unloading 1t. In
this way the administration hopes to
keep in intimate touch with the arrival
of fuel In Washington. Heretofore. it
was said, cars of coal which reached
the city far behind schedule were shunt-
ed into yards and there kept for sew
eral days before being brought to the
coal yards to be unloaded.
The desire Of the District fuel ad-
ministration to provide enough reserve
stock to last the city thirty days in a
pinch will be in a fair way to be real
lied this week, it was indicated last
night.
Shipments More Frequent.
Shipments of coal are becoming easier
on account Of the breaking up of en-
bargoes Of freight. and dealers are able
to supply individual needs faster The
new division of the fuel administration
which was created to take care of in
dividual requests will start work to-
morrow.
The case of the Northeast Washing
ton retail coal dealer who boarded 400
tons of coal in his yard to wait for a
price Jump was disposed of yesterday
by the administration. when it was de-
cided to deny him permission to pur-
chase coal from a wholesale source in
Washington in future.