New Britain herald., 1925-12-23

Co., chairman OF the State Coal
Merchants association and a men,
Der OF the governors fuel commit
toe. TO Secretary Ralph L, Gould OF
the Chamber OF Commerce, be sent
TO Governor Trumbull. Major John
ston's letter was written on his own
business stationery but was signed as
chairman OF the state association,
Mr., Bartlett said he was not quite
clear as to the capacity In which
Major Johnston was acting,
Johnston's Letter
Major Johnston's letter vas as
follows
Ralph L, Gould. General Secretary
New Britain Chamber Of Com
merce, New Britain, Conn.
Dear Sir--I beg 10 acknowledge
receipt OF your favor OF tho 10th
inst.
Il note that committee OF your
chamber has for several weeks been
investigating the coal situation as Il
applies TO the domestic consumer IN
New Britain and that this committee
has reached definite conclusions as TO
the present supply of coal and TO the
maintenance of supply for the fu-
ture aud that this committee has
reached conclusion that the local
conditions are sound.
This conclusion should be very
satisfactory to the public and will
help very much in aleviating the
unpleasant conditions which we are
going through at the present time
From your letter I understand
that this committee is one Of inves-
tigation, and as said investigation.
so far as I know, has been conducted
without asking the cooperation Of
the coal merchants as a whole, 7 see
no reason for request at the pres
ent time for cooperation after you
have reached your conclusion as
above.
The present strike has presented
complicated problems to the coal
merchants, different than during any
strike or suspension since the strike
OF 1902. The exhaustion Of all sup
plies OF anthracite coal and the dis
like Of tho public for any substi-
tutes has given the trade serious
financial problem as TO what substi-
tutes TO purchase and especially in
what quantities. II has been a gam
h'e without any precedent TO 20 on.
Merchants who had storage and
money ample for their needs for sew.
oral months have hecu able to care
for their trade, but many others
who buy in small quantities found
themselves up against a rapidly ad-
vancing market for substitutes, ow-
ing to tremendous demand from
all over the eastern market.
prices of coke at wholesale funr-
I'd $500 per ton in a short time and
these conditions are responsible for
the many different prices Of fuel in
different cities and towns Of the
state.
IF this strike should terminate
suddenly or in short time many
merchants would find themselves at
a very serious loss as the public will
not continue buying substitutes when
anthracite coal Is purchasable and
there will be no local market for
these high priced substitutes.
Since September a state commit
tee OF fourteen coal merchants rep
resenting over so per cent of the re-
! tail tonnage of the state have met
weekly and have given these prob
lens serious study in an attempt to
provide for and protect the public
and have laid before Governor
Trumhull information and sugges
tons in many conferences.
I'm trade comprising four hun
bred firms and corporations in q
state il is not possible tn proven.
some ah scs or differences in price
! but I assure you or any committed
that any complaint brought TO the
attention OF Governor Trumbull will
have immediate investigation and
prompt steps taken to punish any
offender.
"Very truly yours,
"F. H. Johnston, Chairman.
state Coal Merchants Committee.
Johnston Denies Plot
In statement this morning Ma
ior Johnston said There was al,
solutely no agreement among dealer
that they should not attend III
meeting, so far as I know, and j
there had been I think should hav