Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-04-27
MONTH SSUPPLY
OF COAL ON HAND
President Pussy Hopes for
Reduction in Price,
Freight Rates
ACUTE SITUATION
OVER SOFT COAL

Members of the Delaware State
Coal Club, representing some 10 of
the leading retired coal firms of the
State, are holding their annual
meeting this afternoon In the Club
Room Of the Hotel DUPONT.
Edward R. Pussy. president of the
club. presided at a business session
which began at 11.3O o'clock this
morning, also at luncheon which
followed at 1880 o'clock this at
ternoon.
There was a general. informal
discussion at the business meeting of
the coal situation in Delaware. 1t
was generally agreed that there was
sufficient coal on hand to last APP
proximately a month, II no further
shipments should be received.
Question of a possible reduction
In freight rates on coal also was
raised, and hope was expressed that
a reduction Of possibly Is per cent
around June /.
In his annual report, President
Pusey said that "all undoubtedly
had an unsatisfactory year, finan-
clally and a very trying one, physic-
ally and that at the present time
regret to state that the end is not
yet"
In regard TO the work OF the COM
mittee which was named last January
to conduct an advertising campaign
along the lines of putting before the
people the true situation as seen by
the dealers. President Pusey said
the committee had worked very
hard and devoted unlimited time,
but that some of the members did
not think it had done any good"
outside OF Wilmington. or even with
in the city. Mr.. Pussy disagreed
with this view, asserting that he be-
lieved every ton delivered had been
a help in many ways to every deal
er in the State. He added he knew |
many sales were brought
about through the advertising.
There will undoubtedly be a
great shortage of anthracite coal
after the mines start to operate
again." continued Mr. Pusey. who
added that three or four months of
dleness on part of the miners will
end to create shortage through
out next winter, especially If It
should be cold one, as there will
be no storage to fall back upon.
1.-THE bituminous situation is
worse than It has been in my expert
,nce," continued Mr.. Pussy, 'and
rom information which can gath
n. It is worse than it has ever been
n the history of mining. From
What / understand there are mines
die today that have never been on
trike before. and 1t is anyone's
guess as chow long they may be
die.
Freight rates are also an uncer-
.ain quantity at this time. Person
ally, I do not believe that there Will
be- a reduction before next spring,
but on the other hand I note diff
ferent items in the papers which
have a tendency to lead us to believe
that a reduction might take effect at
an early date. Let US hope, how
ever, that we may soon get a sub
5tantial reduction both in pric9 "
coal at the mines and in freight
rates.
81 believe that a great reduction in
he demand for anthracite coal dur
ng the past winter was very greatly
lue to the high prices"
Mr.. Pussy, in conclusion, touched
| hopeful note, saying he believed
business will be much better and
price conditions considerably lower
when the trouble between the miners
md operators is settled"
The nominating committee re-
ported in favor of the following Of
icers for the ensuing year and they
we're formally elected:
President. Eugene Shallcross. Mid
iletown; vice president for New
Castle county, Benjamin F. X.
vice president for Kent
county, Lorenzo Jones. of Harring-
on.
Members OF the club kept arriving
throughout the business session
Until so were present. Noah H.
;wayne, I'd, OF Philadelphia, and
Mayor Harvey were guests OF the
hub at its luncheon. Mr. Swayne is
veil known not only in business cir
les of Wilmington. but as a singer, !
having appeared as soloist with the
)rpheus Cub at its last concert.