Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-05
GOAL WILL COST MORE,
LIMITED SUPPLYON HAND
Less OF the Black Diamond i'm
Richmond Than for Last
Several Years.
PAY So TO 81 MORE a TON
Interstate Commerce Commissions
Ruling, While Relieving Car
Shortage, Has Not Helped Local
Situation.

Prediction that coal prices will
{ jump here this fall from 81 10 81
J on the ton are being made by Tctail
5 coal men who have carefully watched
the situation and find that the In
y terstate Commerce Commissions rul-
ling which has relieved the shortage
y of coal cars has not helped the local
s situation In the least.
~ There IS less coal In Richmond al
tho Sprescnt time than has been the
9 ease. for several years. 1t IS declared.
Dealers say that they have absolutely
no reserve supply OF bi;uminous coal
4 and only small amount OF anthra-
cite.
3 one dealer stated Yesterday that
y he ahd been compelled TO sacrifice his
i entire business outside of Richmond.
( which formerly was q ilonrishinG ass
J4sct, in order TO supply the everyday
needs OF citizens here.
sa Compelled Ia Cancel Orders.
& !, Another dealer said that he has
i been compelled TO cancel orders
placed by manufacturing concerns
q tail business.
Although a; the present time OF
y featuring concerns, public utilities
and large coal consumers TO lay in
I large supplies of coal as reserve
against the coming winter. it is de-
able to secure no supply for them 10
& lny in and are turning down all or
ders except for limited amounts.
Z During July and August IL has al
! ways been the custom OF coal dealers
ITO advertise their products heavily
and aa advise the 9nhiiG to lay IN large
4 product is cheap. This year the cam
I paign to "fN your cellars" Will have
Il TO be abandoned. unless the situation
improves.
Dealers have. very different views
4fof why the situation is bad. one
Z coal man. connected with what is
greputed to be one OF the largest con-
of coal is obtaina BILE if the retailer
us willing TO pay bonus which
4 would amount TO So Il ton or more
& and force the price OF coal up ut
once.
lie said that coal before it reaches
y the retailer is often sold from TWO
: a profit on handling his product. and
9 the burden is passed on 10 the re-
taller and the public cvcntually
KY No contracts have been made with
tho operators for coal exccpt with
] clauses in them concerning labor. 1t
is declared, and only few contracts
( made so far state the price or uuan-
tity OF coal TO be supplied.
Coal dealers say that an increase
4 In the price of coal is inevitable be-
Commerce Commission. and this ad
\ ditional cost De tackled on to the
n price OF Coii.
Urge Second Embargo.
t Dealers are also advocating a sec
Sond embargo for the benefit of the
southern states and the sections OF
the country which are not hcnetiting
from the present one. Heavy EXPORT
OF coal are also blamed for the sit
4 uation.
s Dealers are optimistic that the sit
ASuntion VIII improve sufficiently to
8 allow commercial concerns TO pre-
< pare for winter when the consumn-
q ton of coal Will be far greater than
s3tt is at present. and that the shortage
y OF coal VIII not continue until the
late fall. as Is expected
.s ~ Is known that the state OF N!r-
q Einia Is having trouble making a
: contract for the Goa! needed for
8 heating purposes Mt the Capitol and
LIBRARY Building. and Director OF
r. Public Utilities Traffori has stated
mat the fuel supply for the City Gas
10y orks Is obtained in II hand-to- mouth
ssmanner and that less than three
ssweeks' supply is on hand