Evening star., 1925-09-13
COAL RATION PLAN
| IS OPERATING HERE
Local Dealers Put Limit on
! Anthracite OeIiVeries-Ad-
wise Substitutes.

While the strike in the anthracite
mines of PENNSYLVANIA has been in
effect only two weeks. many of Wash
ingtons largest dealers in the com
modify have adopted a rationnS
basis for their customers, selling
them less than five tons per order,
and when possible. and OF course with
the knowledge OF the purchaser. sub
stituting soft coal of a high quality.
This was revealed by survey Of a
number of Washington coal distrih-
utors Yesterday. which also showed
that, although a shortage Of coal AT
the mines is showing an effect here.
the price of anthracite to retail con
sumers has been raised only about 30
cents a ton. and this increase pre-
ceded the actual starting of the strike.
Some independent operators, how
ever, have already increased their
wholesale prices 81 so pea ton and are
asking that on coal now ordered.
Public Buys Little.
Despite the general knowledge that
n strike in the anthracite mines was
pending, the Washington public dis
liidN Ell no dIlNltlN dpcuI SellIuS lis
Winters coal supply, it was stated
vest terday. and even since the begin
ming of the strike there has been a
remarkably small increase here in the
orders for coal. Coal dealers. on the
other hand. conducted campaig
during the Summer To speed up the
orders for Winter coal. These cam
paigns. 1t was stated. had little effect.
Washington consumers of hard coal
are right, the coal merchants stated.
in their apparent belief that there
would be no coal famine. Nothing
like a coal famine is anticipated here
On the other hand, if the suspension
in the Pennsylvania fields continues
beyond November the ma iority of coal
dealers here will have to resort TO the
use of semi-anthracite or bituminous
coal from West Virginia and from
sections distant from Washington.
Reticent on Prices.
There was noticeahl reticence
among coal dealers here TO conjecture
about future prices of coal. They are
governed. 1t was explained, by the
price Of wholesale coal from the
mines. Whether there will he in
creases remains 10 he seen. Produc-
tion in Pennsylvania has been shut
off The Pennsylvania and Reading
Coal Co.. one of the largest distribu-
tors to this territory, has taken no
new orders for coal since September l.
Orders filed previous to that date, 1t
IS stated. are still untitled.
Thomas J. Fennon Co. coal dealers
of Alexandria. Va, in letter 10 The
Star takes exception to an article
printed in this paper few days ago
from Coal Age. TO the effect that
anthracite coal in stove and egg size
can be obtained for prices of 10 cents
per ton over those asked previous
to the strike.
Paid S155 More, He Says.
"a Pennsylvania. anthracite pro
ducer on August II boosted the price
ft55 per ton over the price prevailing
on August g." the letter declared.
I'VE had been a regular customer
of this company for more than 20
years and thus was not Disseminated
against as a new and untried Gus
toner Of the producer"
Mr. Fannon said he was skeptical OF
the statement that there was plenty
of coal on top at the mines and de-
clared that mot a single pound is
available unless you pay ridiculous
advances