Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-26
Little Anxiety
Is Expressed on
Coal Situation
Alabama Mines Announce
Summer Reduction Of 80
Per Cent in Price
of Fuel.

Chicago. April as.-Mlth the coal
slFiks ia its fourth week, survey oi
IS states, Including Pennsylvania,
Alabsms, ksniusky. Texas aud
mos, OF the midges,efn states, in-
dieates that coal supplies iet Al,
hast % dsys arc on hand generally,
while stocks IN several places we're
expected 10 last from 20 dsss 10
ionr months, +,
MANY OF the larger factories and
prblic utilities reported the posses
sion Of enough fuel 10 last well into
tie summer, but 10 some states the
smaller towns and some independent
factories were less amply supplied, al
though relief sufficient Tor emefeeh-
eies was expected from nen'nn,on
mines still in operation, Many hen-
iueky mines were said 10 he work
ing day and night, and Alabama pro-
due,ion was described as near nor
NAL, Confidence rather than ankle
~. 80 lar as the fuel supply Is eon-
eerned, was the rule in all states from
vhieh reports were received.
Make Summer fast,
Little unusual demand WAS fVi'
dent: IN some eases dealers deelaf.
I'D that there will he no market,
or thar they had more than enough
coal on hand. Prices generally arc
static. Operators and dealers an.
nouneed, however. that there would
be no summer reductions, with the
striking exception OF the Alabama
district, where is was stated that
summer prices would be 80 per cent
lower than last year,
Nebraska public utilities and other
large users OF coal ior power pur-
poses at Omaha are supplied Tor
from % to 90 days. One dealer
asserted that the strike could run
rntil September without exciting.
tears OF shortage aud | doubt II
there would be much fear even
then Omaha retailers euslomarily
begin reducing their stocks TO a min
imum at this time oi year. as the
only demand from April ] until warm
weather comes from places having
small heating establishments, and
this demand is easily handled. Until
July !. Omaha retailers are viriu-
ally out OF the market. However.
ii any demand should arise i'll this
territory it was believed the non
union Colorado mines could sup-
ply il conveniently, and nonunlon
rines arc counted upon to provide
adequate supply ior summer
Have Normal Supply.
The coal dealer quoted above, Sam
Caldwell, said that Omaha retailers
did not have a large amount OF
coal on hand, but they they had a
normal supply. which is enough
for any emergency"
Roy Page, general superintendent
OF the Nebraska Power company, a
private concern furnishing light. said
the company had 10000 tons. a three.
months supply, whereas the usual
supply at this time is $4,000 tons.
w. ]. Barber. purchasing agent
for the Metropolitan Utilities dis
trict, a municipal concern furnish.
ing gas and water. said he had
bought enough coal for three
months.
Swift & Co. has 6O-day's sup
ply, twice the usual amount, accord
ing to Z. L. Phipps, general super
intendent, who said other packing
houses were similarly supplied. a
6O-day's supply also was reported
hv ra;iro,d officials.
Iowa-The coal on hand will last
public utilities about until July !, ac.
cording to the estimate of Edward
Weir, secretary OF the Iowa Mine
Inspection department.