New-York tribune., 1921-05-22
Enough Coal if
All Goes Well.
Says Authority
Early Summer Buying Has
Practically Averled Dam
ger of Anthracite Fam
inc, A. j. Casey Asserts
Bituminouis May Be Short
Editor of Trade Journal
Declares Freight Rates
a Big Factor i'm Price

The threat of an anthracite coal fam
inc in this section practically has been
averted, but there is likelihood of n
shortage of bituminous next winter
according to Amedee ]. Casey, editor OF
The American Coal Journal of New
York
The stove coal situation shows i'm
provement, due to early summer buying
on the part of consumers, he saws.
Lack of demand for bituminous coal at
present, because of industrial depres-
sion and other causes, complicated by
the inability of railroads to handle the
required tonnage in a short space Of
time, is given by Mr. Casey as his rea-
son for believing there will be short
age of this fuel.
In general discussion of the coal
situation as affecting the householder,
Mr.. Casey explained yesterday why the
dealer in Manhattan is now charging
$13.l0 ton for coal which cost $7.35
a ton at the Pennsylvania mines.
S2.66 Ton Freight
He said that to the mine figure must
be added a freight rate of $266 a
ton and other expenses incurred by the
dealer in local movement, leaving but a
nominal profit for the retailer.
$50 many conflicting reports have ap-
peared of late regarding the coal sup
ply and the price of coal, present and
TO be, that the public mind is in state
of chaos" said Mr.. Casey. at is a
fortunate thing, however, that domestic
consumers are needing the advice of
practical coal men to place their next
winters supplies while the price is low
and delivery conditions are favorable
when it comes to a discussion of
prices the public should bear in mind
that reports of coal selling at Sc ton
and under have nothing to do with do
mestic coal. These prices are for
bituminous coal, which is not used to
any extent in this section.
"The price of anthracite at the mines
just now is on basis of $7.35 to $8.35
for the egg and stove sizes, which are
most popular with the consuming pub
lie here. The higher figure represents
what individual operators are charging,
owing to their increased cost of opera-
tion and distances from shipping cen
ters. Of this price more than 70 per
cent is paid for mine labor.
More Summer Buying
"1he great difficulty with the coal
business always has been the extreme
ly seasonal character of the demand
The consumer who would be most ben
etited--the householder-has been slow
to appreciate the advisabiity of sum
mer buying. He is doing better this
year Had consumers not needed the
advice of coal men and government Of
ficials, and placed their orders early
there would have been considerable
suffering this winter
"We are not entirely out of the
woods yet, but if buying continues at
the present rate there will be enough
coal to go round 1t must be remem-
bered that, barring strikes of mine
workers, the mines always can produce
enough coal to supply the demand
The trouble is that the railroads
cannot handle it unless the movement
is distributed over several months
Furthermore, the retail dealers cannot
store sufficient coal to take care OF
| their trade unless it moves regularly
The biggest coal storage plant in the
country is the consumers bins"