LtspentogionsnffiRavia4

PAGE TEN

THE COST OF A TON

not auggeative of the profit that might

S. STAHL, CANDIDATE

reasonably be expected in a some-,
FOR COUNCIL, HITS
what hazardous type of industrial in
vestment.
LAW FOR PEDDLERS
The ultimate consumer of anthracite
By GEORGE OTIS SMITH,
coal must face the facts that produc-
Director of U. S. Geological Survey. tion costs have increased; royalty
Samuel Stahl, candidate for the
rates have at least doubled within the
last decade, and the labor item is nomination as member of the nine-
(Reprinted from Coal Age, May
about twice what it was ten year.; man council at the primaries on Octo-
12, 1921.)
Some years ago the present editor ago;
ago; while the freight cost likewise tsar 11, has made an attack on the
a tendency
to multiply
it- existing law for hucksters and pad-
of Coal Age and myself, in discussing self. shown
Undoubtedly
some
mines may
the cost of coal, explained the lively
public interest in the subject as show a larger profit than that indi• dlers, terming the present conditions
His
largely due to the fact that coal is rated above, but others report even as being unjust and unfair.
one of the few raw materials which lower margins between cost and re- statement follows in part:
the average citizen buys directly. alization, as must be expected where
"The Common Council of the City
Iron and wood and wheat we buy in large royalties are being paid. What- ' of Detroit has through its members
other forms, but we know the unit ever these profits at the mine, it is enacted an ordinance, which in my
no
price of the coal we burn and we doubtful it they equal the profits RC - '
easily visualize the "coal barons" who curing to some of the wholesale and mind, I think was enacted for
are said to fix that price. We are retail dealers that handle the same other purpose than to discriminate
convinced that our coal costs us too coal. It is a hopeful sign that in their , against certain class of people en-
in such business.
much and we become zealous advo- meetings the coal dealers are giving gaged
"The
Vendors' Ordinance as it is
"The Vendors'
cates of some form of price limitation attention to the subjects of cost-keep y - called
seems very just to a casual
whereby the profiteers may be kept ing and labor-saving, and it is surel
within bounds, but with all this zeal in the public interest that more light reader; but upon further study and
we have few facts at hand on which he thrown upon the costs of coal dis- meditation it can be readily seen on
to base any analysis of the items tribution, especially as, with most of whom the hardship is going to fall
which make up the cost of the ton of us, these costs can be a subject for upon. The peddlers before they are
short-range investigation. allowed to go upon the streets of
coal delivered in our cellar.
the City of Detroit must comply with
The total production of coal in the
certain rules and regulations as set
United States is approximately six REPORT GIVES ESTIMATE
forth in the ordinance.
tons for each inhabitant, but about
OF
1920
OUTPUT
OF
COAL
1 "The Market Commissioner not be-
one ton of coal a year is the per capi-
—
ing content with t the
h old ordin a nce,
ta consumption for heating and cook-
On January 15, 1921, the Geological under which the pe ddlers were pe ace-
ing; the other five tuns or so which
Miller Avenue and M. C. R. R.
must be charged to every man and Survey published final estimates for ably going about their business, saw
woman and child in the United States the calendar year 1920, placing the fit to have restrictions placed upon
are paid for indirectly in the prices output of bituminous coal at 556,563,- these men, in order that he might in
Near Mt. Elliot
due time put them off the streets, and
we pay for all the manufactured goods 00(1 net tons.
The state estimates, like that fur claim honors for himself as one of
we buy and in our street car and rail-
road fares and electric light and gas the country as a whole, are based on, the latest twentieth century reform-
•
the ers, but at a second thought the ordin•
bills. So one ton is the measure of weekly reports of cars loaded by
reads,
ante at it stands today entails quite
the average individual's direct interest 137 principal coal-carrying
in the price of coal, though New Eng- furnished through the courtesy of the an expense to the City for its main-
land residents have a larger interest American Railway Association. The-e tenance and upkeep. According to the
by reason of the larger consumption in weekly loadings afford a substantial old ordinance only one department
basis on which to estimate the total was necessary to perform the duties
that region.
SEASON'S GREETINGS
The householder in the East, in output because the carriers reporting of issuing licenses, now this work re-
thinking of coal, has in mind anthra- load about 85 per cent of all the coal quired the aid, assistance and work
cite, not bituminous coal, and the produced. Allowance is also made for , fthree city departments, which need-
mines less to say, means more money out of
domestic sizes, not the steam sizes. mine fuel coal coked at the
water, and the
the taxpayers pockets for the main-
Too often mention in the daily press local sales, shipments by
shipments
over
certain
small
roads tenance of these various departments.
of a shortage or a surplus of bitu-
"Our Coal Speaks for Itself"
not
reporting.
minous coal is misunderstood by many
"Peddling today on the streets of
Comparison of the estimates thus
readers, who think of hard coal.
obtained, with the results of the an- the city with its many rules, regula-
Separating Items of Cost.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
Main Office and Yard:
nual mine canvass, indicates that the thins and restrictions on the peddlers
Last winter full information came error in the estimate of total produc- has become encumbersome and oppres-
into my hands regarding a car of lion for the country probably does not sire to many who have for several
Lincoln Avenue and M. C. R. R. Northway 4846.
CALL US FOR SERVICE AND SATISFACTION
anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania exceed two per cent. The preliminary years followed this trade, and why
O ffice and Yard:
and sent by rail to northern New Eng- estimate of bituminous production in has it become oppressive and encurn-
Melrose
638
land and there delivered to individual 1910, for example, was 7,800,000 tons bresome? Because the peddler today,
Branch Office and Yard:
Farnstorth and G. T. R. R.
consumers, my own household being too low, an error of 1.7 per cent. In must first, submit to a physical ex-
North Yard:
among those cosumers. Every item
Plymouth Road and P, M. R. R. Garfield 3333
, animation at the Board of Health,
of
the
individual
states,
how-
case
the
Melrose 815
of expense from the mine face to the ever, the error may be much greater. from there he must go to the Director
Frederick & G. T. R. R.
cellar bin is available and the cost When a carrier originates coal in more of the Bureau of Markets, fill out the
of a ton of coal can be separated into than one state it is sometimes neces. application blank containing about
its various items. It was egg coal sary to apportion its tonnage orbit- thirty questions, then leave his pho-
mined in December, 1920, and deliver- rarily, a difficult task for the unset- tograph with the Market commission-
ed early in January, and the cost de- tled year 1920. Estimates of monthly er to be placed on file for public in-
livered is believed to represent aver- production in 1920 have been publish- spection; the applicant must then go
age conditions, except that owing to ed from time to time in the weekly to the license bureau, where the li-
inability to get the coal through coal report. censee is given a metal badge. Fail-
dealers it was obtained direct, and
ure to display such badge when en-
therefore no wholesale or retail deal-
gaged in his business, constitutes a
er's profits are included; only the GORDON, WEINGARDEN
misdemeanor, which will be a suffi-
loyal dealer's charges for services in ORGANIZE COAL COMP'NY dent cause for suspension or revoca-
handling the car on the siding and
t ion of his license. Besides this
weighing the coal. All cost items
The many friends of A. S. Gordon badge the licensee receives a receipt
have been reduced to the short or net will be interested to note that he has a nd two tin plates, and which plates
ton, as the measure most familiar to withdrawn train the Weingaradnend must also be displayed in a conspicu-
You Can Depend on Us
the coal user.
Co., of this city both actively ous place upon the vehicle which the
Comparison of Mine Costs.
financially. Also that he has affiliated licensee operates.
to Supply you with Quality Coal and Coke
Still another instructive comparison himself with A. A. Weingarden, a
What necessity is there for all
is afforded between the item for former resident of this city, who has
mine labor, $3.38, and that for local returned after an absence of some these provisions of identification?
Won't
one of the means of identifica-
delivery, $1.58; the latter operation fifteen years
Messrs. Gordon &
PROMPT SERVICE
involved lifting the ton of coal twice Weingarden have organized the Gor- lion do? Are all the people in the
by manual effort but under much dif- don Weingarden Coal Co., and have various trades where a permit or a
ferent conditions. The miner had urchased the well known business license is required, subjected to the
not only to load this ton of coal but located on the Michigan Central Rail- same strict policy? If they were,
previously he had to break it down road at Vinewood and Magnolia there would be no need of any corn-
from the working face, and the mining streets. Mr. Gordon wishes to e x. mentations from the writer.
operation also involves the handling tend to his many friends and business
"1 he placing of all these restrict-
of half a ton of rock for every ton o • associates hie sincere thanks for their ions upon these men, has in the last
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
coal
mined,
and
then
this
item
of
in-
past favors and anticipates an op- year brought about an organization
–Warren Avenue and P. M. R. R.
Cherry 1731
side mine labor also includes such portunity to be so favored in the known as the Hucksters' Protective
Main Yard: Maple Street ■ and G. T. R. R.
other "dead work" as is involved in future.
Association, whose purpose of incor-
timbering and ventilating and drain-
Buchanan Street and P. M. R. R.
As noted elsewhere in this paper poration is to show the public, that
ing the mine, seven board feet of lum- it will be seen that it is the intention all men in the association stand for
ber, one-fourth ton of air, and of the new concern to cater to all honesty and integrity, and that the
eighteen tons of water being stated departments of the coal trade. Mr. community which deals with these
as the average quantities involved in Gordon's specialty being the char- men will not be defrauded in making
the mining of a ton of anthracite coal business. A new brand of char- any purchases from such members,
coal, as well as the underground coal to be known as the Standard and further that the public officials
haulage of the coal, doubtless for a Brand will shortly make its appear- will not in their endeavors to please
much longer distance than is included ance on the market and will be pro- their constituents place any restrict-
3913 Twenty-fiifth Street
Walnut 3249-2081-2032
in the local delivery from railroad sid- duced by this firm.
ions which are not fair and just to
West 1097
ing to the consumer's home. Mine
all men."
workers' wages are admittedly higher
• '
than ever before, but so are wages LABOR DEPARTMENT
elsewhere, as is well realized when-
ENDORSES DRIVE OF rr,
ever the city householder hires a
HIAS FOR $1,000,000
husky laborer to carry coal from the
curb to the coal chute. Two of the
NEW YORK—The Department
teamsters delivering this carload of
coal earned each, with a helper, $18.50 has endorsed the work of the Ilebrew
YOU GOING TO BUY?
and $19.50 for a day's work. The Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society
AT
skilled mine worker far underground of America and the campaign for
did not do much better than that. $1,000,000 Emergency Fund. The
Again we do well to watch distribu- Hon. E. J. Henning, Assistant Secre-
tion charges probably while we talk tary of Labor paid a visit to Bias
building, 425-437 Lafayette street,
of production costs.
and minutely inspected every depart-
Operator's Gain Net Large.
A glance at the depreciation, amor- ment, asking numerous queStions as to
tization and depletion item of 33c. the Society's activities. Upon his re-
The mljority of the people waste their good
suggests that in this respect this ton turn to Washington, Assistant Sec-
money in buying cheap priced coal. Coal is like
of coal costs less than much that is retary Henning sent the following
mined, since on Girard estate lands letter to the Society:
clothing, shoes or any other ordinary commod-
"My attention has been called to
the royalty alone averages over $1.
ity: Cheap price without quality does not mean
The margin of 52c between mine cost the campaign you are about to in-
augurate
for the purpose of raising
and price f.o.b. mine includes federal
economy.
1 taxes and the mining company's profit one million dollars in support of your
efforts.
It
was my privilege a few
—that is to say, the federal taxes
If you want coal of real quality, highest
must be paid and deducted from this days ago to go through your build-'
grade and fair price, investigate our Famous
ing
in
New
York City and to note
; 52c. before the profits available for
dividends can be determined. It the wonderful service you are render-
Blue Gem Ashless Coal.
should be explained, moreover, that ing, not only to the aliens who conic '
Yards—Canfield & Dequindre; Mack & Det. Term. Ry. E.
the mine costs as figured in the table to our shores, but to needy people of' :
Our Blue Gem Coal is high in heat units,
above are in terms of the higher- all types and casts.
"One of the difficulties we deal with
priced domestic sizes and are there-
very low in ash content, does not clinker and
fore correspondingly greater than for is to know how to protect the alien
contains no slate, stone or bone. There is no
the average of all sizes, and the mine immigrant and his American relatives:
operator's margin indicated is a third against unscrupulous nidividuals who
better coal mined in this country.
larger than the average that holds for seek to divest them of their means
the total tonnage which is legs than by reprensenting that they can assist.
We also handle the highest grades of Anthra-
40c. to the short ton in Dec?nsber, them in securing admission when ad-,
cite, Coke and Pocahontas Coal.
and indeed was less than 36efor the mission is temporarily refused to an ,
whole year of 1920—figures which are alien by the inspectors at the port.I
To know that an organization such as
yours renders such service to the'
alien without charge is a distinct con- 1
Hemlock
tribution to the service this Depart
i endeavoring to render. I trust you
3241
1845 Garfield
will have the means to largely in-
Matlock C
crease
your service in the future.
Melrose
4259
-
-
-
Melrose 2784
4768
"Very sincerely yours,
"(Signed) E. J. Henning."
Call

GREETINGS

OF COAL

COAL Melrose 3041 COKE

Turken Bros.

At this season of general
good feeling among us, we
wish to extend to the com-
munity our sincere wishes
for a very happy and pros-
perous New Year.

0

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIII

Davis Coal & Coke

Company—

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National Coal & Coke Co.

Kahn & Schneider Coal Co.

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Coal Yards

Kuschewski Bros., Inc.

East Side Coal Co.

Great Lakes Fuel Co.

Prices Will Absolutely Advance

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A a hes or Coal?

We Are At Your Service

HoughtenFrench Coal Co.

Melrose 963

Germain Coal Co.

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SEASON'S GREETINGS

oke

B

ETROGR
A D JEW SHOT FR
orin Bros•P ANTI-BO LSHEVIK CON PIRACY
RIGA.—(J.
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R.
Westminster and G. T. R.

The most modern equipment
newly installed insures prompt de-
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Detroit.

I

GREATEST VALUE OF ALL CIGARETTES

Katz, the son of a druggist, was shot
by the Bolshevist government, to-
gether with others accused of par-
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ago.

FROM

Gordon & Weingarden Coal Co.

"Anything that burns"

A Full Line of Coal in All Grades.

Grand River Coal Co.

STANDARD Brand of CHARCOAL in Paper Sacks and Bulk.

Steam and Domestic Coal

No Order Too Large or Too Small.

PROMPT DELIVERIES

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

YARDS:
Sixth and Grand River. Humboldt and M. C. R. R.
Call Main Office: Glendale 1951

Vinewood and Magnolia—M. C. R. It

WEST 26