Republican farmer., 1918-05-10
SCHEDULE OF
COAL PRICES
IS DISCUSSED
Thomas W. Russell Ex-
presses Confidence in
Supply Situation.
FREIGHT RATES CAUSE
DIFFERENCE IN PRICE
Will See That ALI Dealers
Obtain About the Same
Ratio of Profit.

Hartford, May 9-How the price
of coal is fixed for the different
| communities of the state and some
of the complicating features of this
war time regulation, were discussed
today by Thomas W. Russell, federal
fuel administrator for Connecticut
In the course of the interview he took
the opportunity to express confidence
that there will be an adequate supply
of anthracite coal to supply the win
| ter needs of all those who wish to
secure their coal in advance of the
cold weather.
Describing the methods of price
fixing, Mr.. Russell said: 1--WE secure
a report from the local fuel commits
sion giving the retailers closest pos
stble cost of doing business in that To-
cality and recommending a retail
price estimated on the cost of doing
business. Inasmuch as freight rates
| in this state vary as much as fifty
cents from the mines to different cit
les and the average cost of teaming
coal varies in different communities
it is our practice to check up recon-
mendations furnished by the local
fuel committee and in whatever few
1
recommended by them
at is our purpose as far as posi-
Bile to see that the profits per ton
realized by the retail dealers are
about the same in one locality as an
other. The prices in the larger cities
are figured by assuring a net profit
above all expenses of between 80 and
40 cents ton, which does not seem
to us excessive.
1.-The situation is still further COM
plicated in a number of cities on Long
Island Sound which receive nearly
their entire coal supply from barges
which tow the coal from New York
piers. A number of these cities man
ifest natural surprise and curiosity
at the announcement of new prices
because in many cases it has been
necessary to make the new prices
higher than the existing prices.
1.-THE reason for this is the material
increase made in towing rates. New
Haven is paying a towing rate of rs
cents as against So cents paid last
year. New Londons rate is $1.25
compared to a previous rate of IS
cents. In addition to the increase
in towing rates there has been a very
large increase in demurrage rates
which are considerably more than
doubled. 1t is my personal belief
that some rates especially the demur-
rage rates are higher than necessary
Replying to a question regarding
the delivery of anthracite coal in this
state, the fuel administrator explained
that the entire oversight of distribut-
ing anthracite coal had been delegat-
ed by DR.. Garfield, the federal fuel
administrator to a so-called Fuel Ad-
ministration Anthracite Committee
consisting of three of the largest an
thracite operators in the business.
Their plan is to allot to each town
and city a definite amount of coal
based as far as possible on the popu-
1ation of that locality and they have
undertaken to see that the amount OF
coal allotted is received by each COM
munity.
Under these circumstances" said
Mr.. Russell, 81 am confident before
winter each community in Connect
cut will receive an adequate supply
through it's retail dealers in spite OF
the temporary delays in some locali-
ties. AS it happens a number OF
communities did not receive as much
coal last month as they were entitled
to. This was due to temporary con-
ditions like the railroad embargo.
am confident that the shortage in any
given locality will be made up be-
fore winter. 1 am hopeful that be-
fore the winter season we will have q
fair supply of anthracite in the cellars
Of everyone willing to accumulate q
supply in advance.