New Britain herald., 1922-11-23
Dealers Agree to Lower Figure But Claim They Will Lose IT Cents on Every Ton.

Although the coal situation was de- cared to be more serious now than | hhs been at any time since the short age caused by the recent strike
 local coal dealers. at the insistence oi
 Fuel Commissioner E. w. Christ, yes terday voted to reduce tho price oi chestnut and stove coal from $20 te
 s1s.b0 ton. This was done with the understanding that 1t was to be ar experiment for two weeks, ct which time another meeting will be held and further action taken then.
 It was stated by several dealers that, according to government prices at the mines, local dealers will lose IT cents on every ton they sell at this price. Although 1t was reported that three locat dealers were selling coal at SIS q ton now, 1t was reported also by other dealers that these men can not buy cheap enough to sell at that but have small quantity on hand which they purchased at a price un- der the market.
 Shipments Coming Slowly.
 While 1t was stated that there is a slight possibility of New Britain ob- taining more coal in the near future than it has been recently. no definite hope could be held out. One local dealer reported that he buys coal from the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron company and has not been able to get a carload here in 35 days. Others who buy from the Le- high Valley, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation company and other com panies also reported shipments com ing in more slowly
 New Britain does not appear to be getting it's full so per cent according to those at the meeting, which was attended by about all local coal deal- CTS, the fuel commission and Mayor Angelo M. Paonessa The meeting was held in the Chamber of Com merce rooms yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock.
 It was reported that tho situation, which has been represented in press dispatches as growing better, is in bad shape so far as this city is con cerned.
 The question of unloading was mentioned. MT. Christ reported that he had taken the matter up with State Fuel Commissioner Thomas w. Russell, who gives New Britain a fairly clean slate on this question.
 Might Burn Furniture.
 Mir. Christ asked the coal dealers to drop the price of domestic sizes of to $17 ton. He told them he felt they ought to be willing to lcse some money at this time. He ex- plained that Governor Lake has ad- vised Commissioner Russell that he can have special session of the leg islaturc within five days notice to pass a law fixing prices, in case it becomes necessary i, and reminded them that he need only report to Mir. Russell that he refuses to approve of a price higher than SIS a ton and 1t would start things going. In response tc suestion as to whether or not the legislature could force men to sell coal at loss, if they decided to close up their yards entirely the commis- sioner stated that he did not think so. He said, however, he has no in tentlon of trying to force the dealers to a question as to whether or not the them to shoulder a slight loss in or der to help a very bad situation. He felt that dealers could buy cheaper at the mines and would avoid a loss This the dealers doubted.
 He said the situation in coal here is so bad right now that If a heavy snow storm and a consequent freeze-up came in December 1t would make the situation so bad here that people would be burning their furniture to keep from freezing"
 Coal prices at the mines, which have been agreed upon by the oper- ators in conference with the Penn. sylvania fuel distribution commis- sion and approved by the government run all the way from $7.50 to SIP a ton. Local dealers are skeptica of these prices, contending that they have been nable to purchase for as low as SIP at the mines, but that the price has been as high as $14.75. It was stated that operators ignore let ters or fail to ship the cars when or dered.
 One Dealer Rebels.
 Figuring on a cost of SIP a ton at the mines, including the freight of $4.54 to New Britain and handling charges here, the dealers submitted figures to show that it actually costs SISSY per ton to handle it, including an allowance for shrinkage, etc. F. H. Johnston of the City Coal and Wood Co. announced that he would start this morning selling coal at $19 a ton, but f1atly stated that before h9 sold it for less than it cost him he would close up his yard. Others threatened to do the same, but were prevailed upon to wait two weeks.
 Other dealers finally agreed to shoulder the loss of 17 cents per ton,