Evening journal., 1922-12-14
SAYS
COAL Price
"GOUGING"
IS OUTRAGE
fcontinued from First Page

cost to those consumers able to pay
for II. Mr.. Kemp said he wished the
project every success. although he
could not see how City Council
could purchase coal when the reg
ular dealers were unable to do so.
He told of visit paid by one Of
the biggest dealers in Delaware re-
Gently to the Pennsylvania mines,
where he offered cash for anthra-
cite, and was refused. The only
remedy for conditions. which Mr..
Kemp reiterated were undsniably
serious. was for consumers TO use
soft coal and coke as much as pos
sible, or broken size and buckwheat
anthracite.
Small grocers and peddlers on the
east side OF the city and in South
Wilmington are now charging Fl
cents per 20 pound bag OF coal. This
amounts to s1.05 per 100 pounds, or
s2l a ton. This coal in previous
winters has retailed generally at ~
to Is cents bag.
The worst feature of this increase
is that It falls upon the people least
able to buy it. In consequence many
homes are cold or nearly so. except
possibly for one room. where a single
stove has 10 do full duty for an en-
tire households warmth.
No action was taken by City Coun-
ell last night on the proposal to APP
propriate funds for a supply OF
coal. hut It is anticipated that the
question will be threshed over at
length at the regular meeting to-
night. Councilmen McNabb and
Henry said last night that they were
In favor OF the scheme and their
were echoed by several
other City Fathers. The principal
problem, however, will be how to
buy supplies unless tribute IL paid
to jobbers, who &. are Withholding
supplies in order to obtain exorbitant
prices.
In this connection. Fuel Distribu-
tor Kemp emphasized today that the 4
Delaware State Coal Commission, |
Of which he is a member. had moth
ing whatever to. do with the hxins |
u UiAkNEa AAAdN NtAnh AVAAN W AhR
Fuel Distribution Com
nittee.
Statement that supplies can he
had by paying higher prices than
hose fixed is made by L. j. Porter.
head OF the Wilmington Coal Com
lany. with Offices in the Ford Build
ng. Mr.. Porter has communica-
ions from one Philadelphia dealer
n which according TO Mr.. Porter,
lie has been offered four carloads of
yea, nut and stove coal at s12.50
ong ton. f. o. b. mines provided he
would take all seven cars. Figured
IN a 1000 pound basis. and adding
he freight Of s3.02 on a long ton Il
he net cost for a short ton would
,e approximately s14.25 (. 0. b. cars
here, to which would have TO De
idded overhead charges, hauling and
profit.
Another dealer offers him chest
nut coal at s12 long ton, Pea at,
Q long ton. Mr.. Porter asserts.
Residents of lower Browntown
ook the coal situation into their
'wn hands yesterday when the
gord was passed around that there
we're seven car loads of nut coal
long siding leading to The West
lard.
Men. women and children With (
Il kinds Of buckets. wheelbarrows !
askets and express wagons. de- {
cended on the cars and were soon
auling the coal to their homes, be-
ore the raid was discovered. Cell {
lr coal piles grew. but quite hole I
Tas made in the coal in the cars '
The following suggestion for CON
umers in the use OF substitutes for /
nthracite has been made by the ,
lew York Fuel Administrator and
} endorsed by Fuel Distributor {
Temp, OF Wilmington. Mr.. Wood
n says; ,
''The eastern public has been I
poiled by years OF plentiful anthra- .
tie supplies. Coal users in every / /
thsr part OF the world but the ]
astern section OF the United States |
ct along without any anthracite.
tut here, people insist upon anthra- '
lite, and choice sizes at that. II !
consumers would only try two :
hovelfuls of domestic anthracite to Z
wo of bituminous coal. which
hould be put on the fire after the 4
lue gas flames come up through
he anthracite. they would be sur
rised at the success and economy
{ their experiment. No change of
ratebars or frepots is needed"