The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-23

TefS to coal handled lnJo the oh is loaded by fork and cont;
 Rather stiff
 T am a newcomer in Birmingham in the coal game. so do not know about the operators costs" says J. J. Lerry of the Berry Coal company.
 But 1t does seem to me that the price at the mine is rather stiff. | figure l would have been better off If 1 had closed business at tho be- ginning of 1921. If make any money at all l must make 1t in the months of December. January and February"
 Operators Hold Fast
 It has been stated by several deal CTS that at a meeting of retailers last week, when the retailers were attempting to suggest some plan for their protection of overstock. that agents of operators stated Eve will clcse the mines before we will sei, coal any cheaper than we are selling now"
 It is also charged that certain operators are selling to swagon mines" und to retail men of other businesses inferior brands of coal cheaper than they will sell it to the retail coal dealer.
 This phase is not disturbing to the average retail deaIer, who states he would not handle the
 type of coal which these oper-
 atOrs ire nDderselIinR, as they could not hold customers after
 they once had purchased it.
 Can't Understand
 q can't understand why the op- l.. Arthur Burgin of the Burgin Coal company.
 T am considering that both the operator and retailer is due a profit, but We are affected by the fact that practically every carloa,t of coal which reaches us is from one to ifve tons short from the Weight at the nine. This is a big shrinkage loss which must be met and which tends to increase the price. if We are to make any profit on our sales.
 Tt looks to me like the operator could lower his price, but the retailer is overstocked, the sale is slow and a drop in price now from the operator would affect the retailer and cause him a loss.
 Much mine run coal is being sold cheap, but the legitimate dealer can not handle this coal. We couldn't get any repeat on customers. After they burn this cheap coal it's a diff ferent proposition"
 "Thc reason the conl prise is
 ns at present is that the 0per-
 ators fix the price," says |. 1T.
 Rogers.
 "PeopIe demand clean coaI.
 Those who have stocked up on :. the cheap mine run are buying
 good grades and mixing the
 mine rum with quality eonI tO see if they can get some tanRi-
 bie results from the poor conl
 which they stocked up with earlier.
 "We have had mild fall and there has not been the usual
 demand for coal. This is par
 tinIIy due to the fact that people
 don't have as much money this year ms usual. They are buy
 Ing in smaller Iots.' Comparative Prices. J. !. Berry Coal company gives the following comparative prices, based on a tom
 Warrior River costs s4.25 at mine freight and war tax, sl.03; unload ing, 12 cents; sells in ton lots al
  less if bought in five-ton lots; car sell this cheaper if loaded witt shovel.
 "Sipsey costs s4.77 at mine; 90 cent: | freight and war tax; f2 cents to un- load sells for sS.75. Havef20 ton, of this type, soft. and will sell 'shov' el' loading, inclusive of slack, nu and lump, at s5 ton, if purchaser can be found
 Brilliant lump costs s550 at mine s11o freight and war tax; unloading 12 cents; sells for s9.50. with S9.2' ! price in five-ton lots McCarty Coal Co.
 McCarty Coal company reports al follows;
 Red Ash cahaba costs at min, from $5 to $5.75; freight and wal tax,e sl.03, and sells for s9. Hav, sometimes secured price of s4.60 t' | s5.50 at mine.
 { Corona cost s7.5o in 1920 Cover stock for 192D, selling at ss to ss.5' a ton. Mine price now s4.
 Burgin Coal Co. l Arthur Burgin. of the Burgin Goa 1 company, quoted price comparison on Montcvallo- -Straven, one of tn finest coals on the local market:
 sells for s6.25 at mine, freigh and war tax S103. unloading, l2A cents; sells for s10.5o."
 Rogers Coal Yard. J. T. Rogers of the Rogers Goa 1 Yards. give the following prices;
 Dora nut, sells s3 at mine, freigh and war tax, 90 cents; unloading, ] cents; sells for s6-15.
 "carbon Hill sells for s4.25 at mina s1.03 freight and war tax, lp cent unloading; sells for ss.
 "Sipsey sells at mine for s4.5- freight and war tax, 90 cents; un loading, Is cents; sells for ss.35:
 "As an explanation. fl should b explained that we fork our high grade coal and for the forkings " receive only about s3 a ton. Use of Run of Mine
 Henry l.. Badham. president of tn 1 Bessemer Coal, Iron and Raiiroa company, said;
 Many householders use run o | mine coal in their furnaces an rrates and come out better for tha reason. The Jumps can be picke out and used in grates and the res will do for the furnace. It ough to be used more than it Is and woui be an economy.
 We sell Belle Ellen cahaba coa