Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-12-20
SUPPLY
OF COAL NOW
FOR THE CITY

Continued From First Page)
with 20 per cent. of substitutes.
Refusal to accept such deliv-
cries with substitutes will pre-
vent further deliveries OF an
! thracite whatever.
For the public welfare-Let
all cooperate.
! LEON WALKER,
Chairman, Delaware Coal Com
mission.
Commenting on the local situation,
Robert d. Kemp, city fuel distribu
tor, said It had been found that some
consumers were actually turning
away loads OF coal when they found
that 20 per cent. OF the load was
composed OF some form OF substi-
tutes.
Such a practics, Mr.. Kemp pointed
out, wasted time OF coal dealers and
drivers. caused unnecessary friction
and only meant that the consumer
who refused the load would have to
go without fuel entirely.
In such cases an argument usually
ensued between the coal driver and
the householder, lasting possibly Ar
teen minutes. Then the driver was
Obliged to look up a telephone, get
Into touch with his office and seek
instructions as to what to do with
the load left on his hands. This
caused more delay. Finally. the coal
ONCE would be obliged 10 send the
driver with the load possibly a mile
distant to some other part OF the
city TO make delivery.
Consumers who refuse 10 use sub
stttutes must do without coal alto
gether, said Mr.. Kemp. The com
mission simply can not furnish an
thracite when It hasn't any. and
there is little prospect of any large
quantities being received.
Mr.. Kemp referred to the situa-
ton In Camden. n. J., where City
Council made plans 10 buy g large
supply OF coal for the public, hut
found II is impossible 10 do So Now
a citizens committee in Camden is
urging everyone TO burn soft coal
or other substitutes for the domes-
tic sizes OF anthracite. Al
He added that one OF the few
agreeable phases of the situation in |
Wilmington was that some consum- |
ers who had tried anthracite substi- 1
tutes declared they never would go |
back to anthracite. Once having 1
tried the substitutes, tested out !
their drafts and CRATES. they found |
they could obtain heat at less cost
than anthracite.
Mr.. Kemp said It was difficult to
say how much coal was coming into
Wilmington, because. rs fast as oars
were received the supply was i'm
mediately used up. In other words
supplies sufficient for a day at a
time were coming In. and what few
cars were received were nothing as
to tho demand. Shipments Of sub
stitutes, he added, were wha. might
be tepmed fair"
A grim feature OF the situation is
that many dealers who supply coal
by the 20-pound bag are practically
sold out, causing much suffering IN
poorer sections. These 20 pound
bags have been selling at a-rate OF p
cents. or s21 per 1900 pounds, or
short ton.
At the Offices OF the state Coal
900 King street. It was
said today that a difficulty too fire.
Iuently met with was the failure Of
consumers to place orders for coal
with their regular dealers promptly.
Requests for fuel are received from
It was said, who had
placed no order for months. appar-
entity expecting delivery would quick
y follow an order placed now. When
hey discover that their dealer can
not supply them at once, they tele-
phone the Coal Commission. As the
commission issues no orders for coal
Except in cases OF homes where there
s severe illness or there are infants
,r aged and infirm persons, It can
10 nothing for the tardy consumer.
Consumers must get their orders In
o their dealers promptly, It was de-
Jared.
1t was reported today that some
ielay has ensued IN movement Of
coal by railroad companies to the
ards OF dealers. Mr.. Kemp said
he had heard there was some slight
lelay in transfer Of cars from one
Dad to another: for shifting to
,oal yards, but no reports of any
erious delay had been received.