Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-25
Little Demand For Fuel Is
Noted; Many Dealers De-
claring There l. Plenty OF
Coal On Hand For Present.

Chicago, April 25.-(By the Associ-i
ated Press.)-With the coal strike in
it's fourth week, a survey of thirteen
states, including Pennsylvania, Ala
the midWestern states, indicates that
coal supplies for" at least sixty days
are On hand generally. while stocks
In several places were expected to
last from ninety days to four months.
Many of the larger factories and
public utilities reported the possession
of enough fuel to last we'll into the
summer, but in some states the small
Ter towns and some independent fac
tories were less amply supplied, al
though relief sufficient for emerg-
encies was expected from non-union
mines still in operation. Many Ken
lucky mines were said to be working
day and night and Alabama produc-
ton was described as near normal.
Confidence, rather than anxiety, so
far as the fuel supply is concerned,
was the rule in all states from which
reports were received.
Little unusual demand was evident;
in some cases dealers declared that
there Twill be no market or that
they had more than enough coal on
hand. Prices generally are static.
Operators and dealers announced,
however. that there would be no sum
~ InST TeuuCIlOIlS, Will NbC'S AnAhh -
ception Of the Alabama district,
where it was stated that summer
prices would be thirty per cent lower
than last year.
Reports from me of the states are
as follows: =
Pennsylvania.
Producers have not put into effect
the usual spring reduction. and prices
OF domestic sizes Of anthracite coal
Sr,ANo .nvvNnoto1 tn ramH1n Sf2ttOnaTN
during the suspension of mining, at
least. Here and there retail dealers
have made slight reductions to stimu-
q demand. but there has been no
general price cutting. Many con-
sumers are deferring purchase of
next winters supply on h chance,
it was said, OFT obtaining their coal
cheaper.
Michigan.
The majority of public utility COM
panies throughout the state have pro-
tected themselves with sufficient fuel
to last through what they think will
be the duration Of the strike. The
leading coal dealers in Detroit said
that prices would depend upon the
length of the strike. upon action or
the interstate commerce commission
relative to freight rates, and a variety
of other factors entering into the
situation.
Wisconsin.
Coal supplies in Wisconsin should
last through the strike even If 1t en-
tends over several months, the state
department Of markets believes.
basing its assumption on u survey
made last winter. Edward Norman,
commissioner. held that no increases
ground of insufficient Supply to meet
the demand. The department. while
having no definite information of
present supplies. was definitely OF the
opinion that they were ample Tor all
needs and tina there was little ikeli-
hood OF a shortage in any cities for
utility purposes or in small towns.
Receipts at docks before the closing
of navigation this winter We're said to
have been sufficient to carry the state
through the year without shortage If
cars could be obtained to distribute
them. The department reported last
November hat Illinois and Indiana
were shipping more soft coal into the
state than in any previous year. ana
concluded that that fact. combined
with the industrial depression, would
mean that all dock companies would
carry a substantial supply over into
the following rear GS22).
Iowa.
The coal on hand will last public
utilities until about July 1, according
to the estimate Of Edward Weir. sec
rotary Of the Iowa mine inspection
department.
North Dakota.
Fargo coal dealers said the general
supply there was only sufficient for Il
few weeks at most, but that there was
a large amount piled up - the docks
at Duluth. Mimi. AM ut mere
could be obtained as l.