New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-01-23
Strange Drivers Collect on
n. o. d. Orders and Dis
appear-ls Maple Hill In
New Britain or Hartford.

Charges that the public is not play,
Ing fair in the coal crisis, that al least
one dealer Is not playing the game,
admissions that practically all deal
eTs have gone hack 10 the old $50 a
ton price instead the $3.50, com.
plants that valuable time is lost he,
cause property owners do not clean
out driVesays 10 admit coal trucks,
etc, were a few of the features OF
the first meeting Of local coal dealers
with fun fuel commission, presided
over by Harry C, Brown. the new fuel
administrator, yesterday afternoon,
The meeting was held al the Cham
her Of Commerce rooms Besides the
coal dealers those present were Adj
ministraloF Brown. A, y, Ahbe, Rep
resentatiNe y, w, Christ. George y.
Spear. James = North and Miss Mary
4, Curtin, assistant secretary OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, Miss Curtin
continued In her regular capacity as
secretary Of the commission,
Price u Higher.
Mr.. Brown made n few preliminary
remarks, pointing out that Mr.. Christ
had resigned as administrator and
that the job had heen wished on 90
him, He called attention 10 the fact
that while the old price OF $3.50
on still stands, II has been reported
that all local dealers are getting SEQ.
Tho dealers agreed that this was true.
stating that they arc required 10 pay
higher prices and cannot maintain
the lower rate.
Cash and Garry Plan.
A survey showed conditions TO be
about the same as they were al
month ago. so far as the actual sup
ply on hand is concerned. Mr.. Brown
asked how much rebate was given
people who called for their own coal. |
Nathan Bcrson said he was giving
so cents. while Frank II. Johnston. of /
tho City Coal and Wood Co., said he
was giving back $500. When Mr..
Brown replied to Mr.. Bcrson by
stating You wouldn't deliver coal for
50 cents" Mr.. Bcrson pointed out
that tho actual cost of delivery is not b
saved entirely by selling at the yard
because IL Is necessary TO screen and
Gag the coal just the same and usual
Y other orders are delayed while this
S being done.
Tho coal dealers complained bitter
y because they contend the public is
lot playing fair. 1t was reported that
/ takes as long to shovel the way in
o many homes as 1t does to deliver
he coal. because property owners do
ot open their driveways. Gardner
:. Weld. of the Citizens Coal Co.,
tsted that the necessity of shoveihg
ASA geways into house, is taking {
so a day business out of days a
FORK for a truck.
No Profit in Coal. {
Mr.. Johnston stated that he is using |
xactly double the force he would |
eed otherwise. Mr.. Berson said, IF /
make profit at $50 ton I'll be {
callers would have to charge $24 O
IN under present conditions to make t
ny kind Of profit. c
THE price doesn't bother me near s.
as much as keeping the public p
applied with COAL" said Mr.. John
on. The most important thing we Il
e up against is the inability to keep j
Ie public in COAL" he added. S,
The matter Of substitutes is not "
ling lived up to- said Mr. Brown, il
ferring to the agreement made some "
me ago whereby all dealers but one g
edged themselves to try and spread a
1t the supply Of coal by using 20 ii
n cent buckwheat and so per cent "
rger sizes. b
Mr.. Berson's Troubles N
Mr.. Weld and Mr.. Johnston said b.
ey were living up to the agreement RI
the letter. Mr.. Berson said the Il