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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Oct 13, 1902
Page
5
In Wilkesbarre and across the coal fields, operators plan a nationwide mobilization to reopen collieries tomorrow, asserting they can work with enough protection. Miners counter that even the full United States army would not change their resolve in the confrontation.
The coal strike dominated a Brotherhood of St. Andrew convention in Symphony Hall with Bishop C. P. Anderson Ernest H. Crosby and Dean Hodges addressing moral questions of liberty equality and fraternity. They urged Christian principles in industrial peace arbitration and urged that the burden of high coal prices fall on buyers if miners suffer. The meeting closed with Emmanuel Church remarks by Bishop Dudley and James K. Houteling about the Brotherhoods work.
Ten New York hospitals and several orphan asylums report only one day of coal on hand, with some last 15 days after strict economy. Nine Manhattan and Brooklyn factories, averaging 370 workers each, warn they may shut down without coal. About 3,325 workers support at least 10,000 people and bring in $50,000 weekly, while many plants rely on crude oil as fuel. If supplies fail, numerous factories close and illness and loss of life from coal shortage loom.
A heavy south and west wind is forecast for skippers delivering coal to the port. Yesterday a steam collier, a British steamer, four schooners and a barge arrived with coal, including the Prince Arthur from Yarmouth with 365 passengers and significant cargo. The Orion and another vessel brought thousands of tons to local coal firms, with discharge planned near Congress Street bridge. The Kansas from Liverpool is expected with a large coal consignment for Metropolitan, and the Lehigh Valley barge Bustle carries 513 tons of pea coal for exclusive use by local tugs and lines.
Plans approved to ship 600000 tons of washery coal from Scranton to New York within 10 days. Wiley Mitchell & Co bought an option on the pile and will arrange shipments over the Lackawanna Railroad to Hoboken, with first arrivals possibly by Saturday. Public institutions and wholesale dealers will be favored. delivery pace depends on railcar availability.
Secretary of the Navy Moody replies to letters urging him to pressure President Roosevelt to end the coal strike. He cites constitutional limits, states the President and advisers are aware of the coal supply crisis, and promises no efforts will be spared to avert the pending calamity.
Wilkes Barre, Pa Oct 12 The order detaining prisoners in camps to keep peace sparks a miners' backlash. Attorney James T Lenahan says the governor lacks power to arrest citizens without due process and will seek writs of habeas corpus. He argues martial law is absent and Congress holds such power, promising court intervention.
Despatches show that in a large number of cities the coal bins are almost empty of hard coal. Among the places affected are the following.
New Haven reports coal dealers selling only quarter ton lots with 900 to 1000 tons on hand. One local foundry has shut down due to coal shortage, reflecting tightened supply and economic strain in the city.
Providence reports no hard coal for sale in the city tonight and none for nearly two weeks. The last known sale was chestnut coal, three tons from a house cellar ten miles away, at twenty four dollars per ton.
Worcester reports under 1000 tons of hard coal in the hands of dealers most sold on contract for future delivery.
Rochester reports scarce anthracite coal with only four yards holding any stock and selling limited quarter ton lots to favored customers as officials refuse to provide definite figures.
Syracuse reports a single remaining anthracite dealer with less than 100 tons on hand. He has acquired most of his stock from nearby towns at high prices, leaving city customers facing tight supplies and rising costs during the coal shortage.
Practically all hard coal in Buffalo, about 150000 tons, is held by the Lackawanna and Erie railroads. They ship daily to outside points while the seasonal supply on trestles and cars runs about 500000 tons.
Cleveland dealers report a best estimate showing less than 10,000 tons of hard coal on hand, far below the usual autumn level of at least 100,000 tons. The short supply signals tighter winter heating prospects for the city.
Columbus, Ohio Oct 12 Of the six coal dealers in Columbus only two have any anthracite coal and they have only 300 tons. Last year at this time the supply amounted to 3000 tons. None of the manufacturing concerns that used hard coal last year has a pound now and they are using coke.
Pittsburg, Penn., Oct 12 reports the city uses less anthracite coal than expected for its size due to the extensive use of natural gas. The note highlights how fuel choice shapes local energy consumption patterns.
Philadelphia officials report anthracite coal supplies at about 10,000 tons across all dealers, far below the usual 250,000 tons stocked by this time of year, signaling a severe shortage of available coal for the public. Local dealers confirm the reduced inventory and warn of continued tightness through the season.
Harrisburg Penn Oct 12 President G Frank Millisen of the Harrisburg Coal Exchange says anthracite coal sales in the city have practically ceased with any remaining supply not exceeding 25 or 60 tons.
DETROIT Mich Oct 12 All the dealers of Detroit combined have no more than 5000 tons of hard coal in stock. Usually at this time of the year there are about 100000 tons on hand.
Inquiry reports Chicago holds 16,000 tons of hard coal versus a seasonal 600,000 tons. Prices surged from 6 to 15 dollars per ton for hard coal, while soft coal rose from 2.50 to 5.50 dollars with bleak outlook toward 10 dollars.
In St. Paul on October 12, coal dealers report about 1000 tons of hard coal available locally with expectations of no less than 250000 tons in October, signaling ample supply for the city.
Omaha and South Omaha report less than 500 tons of hard coal on hand, well below the 2,000 ton seasonal norm. No hard coal has arrived since early spring, and Nebraska is largely stripped of anthracite. The Omaha shortage is estimated at 40,000 tons.
Cincinnati reports indicate only about 160 tons of anthracite on hand, far below the usual 5000 to 6000 tons for the season. Coke remains the preferred home furnace fuel, while soft coal predominates in factories.
Indianapolis report states the last coal carload arrived June 4 and no coal remains in bins today. The city has relied on natural gas for 12 years.
Coal in the New River and other fields covered by the Chesapeake and Ohio railway is being sold to the highest bidder. Wholesale price yesterday was 7.85 dollars per ton, while households paid 10 dollars per ton in Richmond on October 12.
TOLEDO Ohio Oct 12 Not more than 500 tons of hard coal is for sale in this city. The usual supply at this time of year is between 30 00 and 40 000 tons. The coal on hand would not last a day if a cold snap should come.
The Brauer Line Steamship Company plans to import 20 000 tons of anthracite from Germany and 15 000 tons from South Russia for the United States. Russia coal to ship from Mariupol in October and November. German coal will largely be reimported Pennsylvania stove and chestnut grades via Philadelphia Reading Railway. The Marian sails to Philadelphia from Hamburg around Oct 15. North Point Montauk Point and Manchester Market chartered to load coal at Welsh ports for Philadelphia New York and Boston.
Boston clergymen in sermons yesterday urged an end to the coal strike and proposed methods to settle the dispute. Extracts from several sermons highlight calls for negotiation, compromise, and action to restore fuel supply.
The Rev William T McElveen of Shawmut Congregational urges repealing the coal tariff and having Pennsylvania authorities enforce the laws against coal operators. He notes Canada and Wales coal reach the U S with the 67 cent duty paid by the public and calls for action by Governor and President.
The Rev William W Bustard of Dudley Street Baptist argues the coal strike demands a humane approach. He says operators may mine with fair wages but cannot monopolize God given resources or deny others work. He urges conciliation or compulsory arbitration to reopen mines immediately.
Rev. Charles A. Crane of People’s Temple calls for immediate law enforcement against all offenders in the miners strike. He denounces operators for interstate commerce violations and charter nullifications, urges governors to act, and argues enforced laws would end the crisis within days.
The Reverend Charles F Dole discusses moral law and social responsibility at First Congregational Jamaica Plain. He argues liberty serves the poor, capitalism must align with common good, and war is a costly way to settle disputes. He urges empathy for miners and calls good religion good business.
Reading Penn October 12 four trains of coal totaling 225 cars and about 670 tons passed down the Reading road for sale to company employees and for locomotive use. It was the heaviest shipment since May and larger than Friday night’s run of 189 cars.
The First Church of Cambridge subscribed $300 toward the salary of an assistant for Secretary Charles W. Birtwell of the Associated Board of Charities. The coal shortage has greatly increased the work of Secretary Birtwell and his assistants, who are frequently kept busy until midnight examining aid applications.
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