Evening journal., 1919-08-01
Retailers UNEASY
over COAL PROBLEM
But Wide Divergence of
Opinion Exists as to
Predicted Famine
10 CENTS A TCN
GOES On PRICES

A wide difference OF opinion has de-
yeloped among the experts OF the coal
trade Journals with respect TO the prob
ability or improbaDility OF coal
shortage during the coming winter.
Some are maintaining that the country
viii face serious shortage in this
commodity before the cold season has
come TO an end, While others are Just
- sure that there will be plenty OF
fuel to meet the demands Of this part
OF the country throughout the winter.
The net result OF the divergence Of
opinion is a feeling OF uncasiness on
the part OF the retail dealers. The pub
nc has sensed something OF this condi-
lion through observing the caution OF
khe coal dealers in accepting orders.
Orders for delayed deliveries are being
hrned down with reluctance, perhaps,
hut nevertheless turned down. Those
who do accept such orders are making
It perfectly clear that the price to he
paid must be the price prevailing when
The delivery is made.
4 Wilmington dealer today explained
that this procedure is purely matter
OF sef-protection on the part OF the
dealer. Il seems that conditions are so
unsettled that no man knoweth what
the next shipment from the producers
Is going 10 cost him.
III the retail dealers were TO accept
an order al todsy's prices for Septem-
Der delivery he would have 20 deliver
at that price and grin and bear the loss
IN he had 10 pay more for the COM
modify when the day OF delivery ar
rived Not so with the producers.
They scccpt orders for coal at today's
prices. fall down on the deliveries and
then make your recorder when the price
goes VI. 70 is necessary for the dealer
10 protect himself by accepting only
immediate delivery orders.
This dealer docs not believe there
will be any coal famine, but suggests
that q may be necessary for house
holders to manage with deliveries OF
single ton at a time.
Human nature, said he, prompts
sycry man 10 look out for himself, with
the result that each wants his entire
winter supply delivered at once.
There is no getting away from the
fact that the consumer must pay. The
dealer cannot afford to take any chances
on increased prices at the mines or on
increased freight rates Just recently
II was reported that the railroad ad-
ministration proposed TO increase
freight rates'25 per cent. such an in
crease viii make difference Of 10
cents on every ton of coal. The dealer
cannot afford to pay that I, VIII have
70 be added 10 the price Of the coal
"On top OF a possible Increase In
freisht rates. it Is also anticipated that
there viii be further increases in the
prics OF coal. There are two classes OF
PRODUCERS. one known 10 the trade as
fhc companies and The other as the
qndspcndcnts. The former are those
corporations closely allied with the
railroads and which controlled trans
porlation 20 a very large extent The
laftcr are owners Of mines, having the
coal. but dependent upon the traffic
controlling interests for transportation.
when the government took over the
railroads they granted the 'indepen-
dents tho privilege OF increasing their
prices from 6J 10 - cents per ton and
they took advantage OF the opp0rtun-
ity The companies adopted q sliding
scale Of prices providing for monthly
advance OF 10 cents per ton.
q She trouble the dealers are now
facing is that the companies are max
ing few deliveries. compelling them TO
depend upon the independents for
their supply. As a consequence they
have 10 pay whatever the latter choose
10 charge and they choose TO charge as
much as they can
The customary raise Of ten cents per
month on the retail price OF coal be-
came effective this morning, and deal
ers are not anticipating any further
increase at this time. The net price
for coal per ton Of 1000 pounds in this
city is as follows: Egg si055; stove,
5000. nut, $1,000: pea. s9.i5