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Show THE COAL SHORTAGE. The i oal consumers of thi" city have been mu h exercised (enough to keep them warm) by 'he shortage of supply. One wanting a ton 01 two of coal might go from one dealei 10 another, and in every case be told "No Coal." The dealers have a pport lone.l tin-meager tin-meager lots which they were able to secure. In small driblets to keep Ihe cook StOVeS going, and have BtOOd their applic ants off with the promise of coal as prior, as some could be ot from the mines. An official "f the I'tah Furl company has added a touch of humor to the situation, situ-ation, by writing a letter to ihe Manufacturers' Manu-facturers' and Merchants' Association, In whbh he blames the consumers, In part, for ih" short supply of coal, on the ground that they ought to have bought their coal last summer or in the early fail, when the demand was slack; ami b blames the dealers, also, for not providing themselves with a reserve also last summer or parly fall that could be drawn Upon during the time of shortage. But what's the matter with the Utah Fuel company getting out a reserve to be draw n upon during the time of shortage'.' short-age'.' Why couldn't that company get In here during the summer and early fall months some ten thousands of tons of coal, that would supply the demand when the current shipments tan short" It Is that company's business to mine and sell coal. To do this selling successfully. suc-cessfully. It should have the coal, and have It here. If the consumer and the dealers should use foresight, should not the Fud Company also use a like foresight fore-sight V It Is not a reasonable requirement, that people should huy their winter coal In slimmer, nor that the dealers ; should fors-e- a coal famine Rut It is ! reasonable to expect a fuel supply company com-pany to have coal on band, not only for the ordinary demand, but to meet emergencies. It Is said that there Is a slack lime in coal production in the mines In the summer and early fall, and lhat. therefore, the full force of m. n is not kept employed Whose fault is that Certainly not that of the consumer con-sumer who In summer will presently want coal that should be then mined; but who at that season has neither the money to spare to buy his winter fuel nor the place to store It. But the Fuel company has unlimited yard room and Could accumulate there during tho summer and early fall a mass of coal lhat would be ample to meet any emergency emer-gency The Idea that coal Is to be mined only when It is Immediately to be called for, would make repealed coal famines In any Count rj an'l It Is one that cannot be too earnestly reprehended. |