Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-05

rate prevails to Philadelphia, nearly
60 miles farther. The rate to Ches-
ter is $3.50, an additional charge of
40 cents for the 13 miles from Phila-
delphia; the rate to Harrisburg is
$1.90, and to York, 26 miles beyond,
it is S2.20. These are samples of
inequalities. If our railroad situa-
tion is ever unscrambled and the
State ever again has authority over
its intra-state business, an investi-
cation must be made to iron out
these inequalities and give the people
their rights in the matter.
Dealers Have Troubles
THE charges for distribution,
which were fixed at very high
figure during the extraordinarily
severe winter of 1g17-1S, when heavy
SHOWS and the worst weather in a
generation made the handling of
coal extremely difficult, still remain
in force in most places, although in
some cities of the State reductions
of as much as so cents per ton have
been made in the delivery charges.
The dealers have their troubles too,
in increased expenses for labor and
materials, but it would seem that
there is, generally, room for re-
ductions in the distribution charges
which will at least make up and
perhaps exceed the increase which
is necessary at the mines / am
greatly in hopes that the competition
among dealers and the patriotic en-
terprise of the trade will result
in very substantial reductions in dis
tribution charges.
I'm considering this matter, the
figures given below which show the
cost of stove coal, which is taken
as the size in which most people
are interested, per ton of 224O
pounds, at several representative Cit
les in the State, where anthracite is
largely used, will be interesting.
These figures show the cost at the
mines plus the freight rates and re-
present the cost of coal on the tres
tie to the dealer. The iAaount above
this figure which is charged the con-
sumer for coal represents the diff
ference between the dealers price
and the cost to them.
Philadelphia, $500; Chester, $8.40;
Harrisburg, $500; Lancaster, $500;
York, $3.50; Erie, $50: Williams
port, $50; Reading $500; Easton,
$3.50; Allentown, $3.50.
II oHOulu ne HOleu lldL IHcSt
prices are based upon a ton of 224O
pounds. For a ton of 1000 pounds,
the figure would be just about 10
per cent less, or, for instance $7.2O
at Philadelphia.
THE dealer, in the prices general
ly charged throughout the State, has
pretty wide margin above these
figures and in many instances which
hnN N 70 l.
as $3.50 has been charged for de-
livery, carrying in, etc. The dealer
has to contend with the shrinkage
of coal en- route, due to theft, etc,
and the so-called degradation due
to the chipping of the coal as it is
jolted along, resulting in consider
able quantity of dust and inferior
sizes. He must also maintain his
business, his overhead, provide for
losses and bad debts, and run his
delivery service
1T would seem that there should
be some continuing authority over
the fuel situation to prevent runa-
way markets, eXtortion and to MAIN
tain the trade on an equitable basis,
fair to labor, producer, dealer and
consumer.
1T would also seem that our larg-
er communities might very we'll be
given the right to establish coal mar
kets for supplying their own citizens.
They have the right to supply fuel
in the shape of gas, as we'll as to
supply electric light, power and wat
er, and fuel is so essential that
public fuel markets operated at cost
would not seem to be a very great
CT Of
past. Well conducted public fuel
markets would likely be able to save
the citizens of our larger communi-
ties as much as a dollar a ton upon
the prime necessity, domestic fuel
coal. This is a subject that might
be given Immediate attention ky
municipal experts. l shall be glad
to cooperate along these lines.'