The public is warned there is likely to be a great shortage of anthracite coal next winter, says "The Boston Evening Transcript.* The warning is coupled, of cour with an admonition that the people should buy their coal early. Mr. W. A. Clarke, president of the New England Coal Dealers' As. sociation, sounds the note of alarm. "The situation is ticklish," he says. "Teach the public by advertisements and by word of mouth to buy early. We face a greater shortage next fall than we had last autumn, for production is not increasing as the average man believes it is, and unless everyone does his share we shall be threatened by a coal famine."
All this has a familiar ring. to the importance of timely buying there is, of course, no_ dispute, although there may be a disposition to discount the warning of a coal famine. As Mr. Clarke states, the best place for the storage of anthracite during the summer is the cellar of the householder. It is proper and desirable that that fact be brought to his attention. It is a reasonable proposition that the production of coal be stabilized so far as possible by the equalization of demand throughout the year.
Repucrion oF Prices.
Heretofore, the coal trade has offered inducements to bring about this condition. The price of anthracite has been reduced on the first of April. The early buyer saved money. This year there have been conflicting reports of what might be expected by the public with reference to prices. It has been stated that the usual reduc tion would not be made. Dealers have been reported as taking the position that under existing couditions in the trade they could not afford to cut their prices. Such a change in policy would be most unfortunate. It certainly should not be adopted unless the necessity for it can be demonstrated beyond a doubt. That has not yet beea done. The reasons so far given are largely concerned with what may happen instead of with what has happened. It is to be noted that! price reductions have already been made in New York. If reductions are not made in Boston and other New England cities, consumer have a right to know why established custom must be abandoned here while it is maintained elsewhere. come to the conclusion that they had no jurisdiction to interfere with the proceedings or sentences of the Military Court, consequently the application was refused.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.