The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-28
COAL TO DROP SOON,
RETAILER PREDICTS
Dealers State Association Dis
cusses Abnormal COndi-
tions In the Trade.
PRICE CUTTING DEPLORED
Evils Of Fuel Situation to Be
Adjusted Slowly, but to
Satisfaction Of All.
PRICE CUTTING DEPLORED

Coal is coming down. This was pre-
dicted yesterday afternoon by a coal
merchant Moreover he made the
prophecy out loud under his own name
at a meeting of the New York State Coal
Merchants Association at the Hotel
Pennsylvania What Is perhaps the
most unusual feature OF the whole
strange affair is that no one Of the
hundred or more retail coal dealers
present threw any black diamonds at
him or even contradicted him.
The courageous one was Arthur F.
Rice, commissioner Of the Coal Mer-
chants Association of New York city.
TT is certain that. from whatever
causes. prices are too nigh not only
for the purse OF the buyer but also for
the good Of the business. and the sooner
we can get back to something like
normal the better It will be for all
concerned" he said. THE most optinlis-
tic man cannot expect to zee this done
at once, for there must be a rather
gradual reduction in the cost of labor
andsmaterials in which the question of
prices is largely involved but that this
readjustment will and must come Is GER
tain. There are indications that It is
not far of.
Must Return to Normal Plane.
During the last two years everything
has been based on abnormal conditions
and we have got to find ourselves and
get back TO a reasonable standard of
measurement. With two jobs for every
man labor has had Its own way. and
w ha ITpifad
States Government allowed labor to hold
p watch on legislators in tho halls OF
Congress and to enforce its demands
wages have advanced to a point which
makes II impossible to transact business
on natural and reasonable lines. But
the law of supply and demand Is max
ing itself felt and will inevitably result
In lower prices, with lower wages as a
concurrent result
Like every other speaker OF the after
noon Mr.. Rice, who is retailer. urged
organization of coal dealers as a remedy
for many of the evils besetting them.
Although wholesaler, Harry T. Peters
o. Williams & Peters also urged coopera-
ton
Il think the idea OF getting together
Is perfectly splendid" said Mr.. Peters.
Perhaps we ought to have the doors
shut first, but say there's no question
but what we should all get together.
The public will get us on our knees. as
newspaper article said receptlye and
just because we don't get together. Don't
let the public bamboozle you by telling
how the other fellow is cutting prices.
They'll try it.
People have not got rich in the
coal business, despite the rumors float
ing round Yet the coal man is Just
about as popular the undertaken. l
don't know why. The good North Amer
lean citizen simply doesn't like the coal
man. He's a necessary evil and is
treated as such. There's one compensa-
ton in the coal business. however. The
styles don't change"
FraternaI Relations Urged.
Competition and price cutting were
most unfavorably commented upon by
Edward Schmidt of Mineola, president
OF the Long Island association.
Our relations should be more fra
ternal" he declared. I'VE should re-
solve that from this day on we shall
no longer he competitors. Let's look
at the situation from the standpoint that
We have a duty to supply the community
with coal. Let's be coworkers with the
other dealer. 1t behooves every dealer
to get acquainted with other dealers
serving his territory. Let him be mors
lraternal Drop INTO inc OtneT lelloW
office. You needn't talk about prices
talk about the world league II you wan
to, but get acquainted with him.
That's the secret OF success. Those
Of US who have discovered 1t have beer
trying to drum 1t into other dealers
heads. Wherever in the State you FIND
dealers on friendly terms you'll fint
business conditions best"
Other speakers who dwelt on coopera
ton were II. II. Paul Of New Rochelle
and G. w. F. Woodside, executive sec
reta~y OF the State organization. Reso
lutions denouncing proposed amendment
extending the power OF the workmen'
compensation law and creating Stat
health insurance were denounced as SO
cialistic and confiscatory.
The afternoon session was presided
over by Rudolph Reimer, Jr.. formerl.
chairman of the Mayors Committee OIL
Fuel and vice-president OF the Brook
lyn Coal Exchange. At the morning ses
sion Charles B. Stats. president of tn
State association, presided. and NJ n
Clement, general manager Coal Mer
chants Mutual Insurance Company, mad
the principal address.