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Show THE FUEL QUESTION. The season is approaching when there will be a rapidly increasing demand for fuel on the part of the citizens of this county, and of Logan in particular, and at the present time the outlook is not very encouraging. Fire-wood is becoming too scarce to be relied upon, and too high in price to be at all economical, as a fuel. Connected by rail as we are, with inexhaustible coal fields lying not far distant, it seems rather absurd that any anxiety upon the subject of a fuel supply should be felt. But citizens of Logan particularly will not forget the great inconvenience, and in some instances, actual suffering, which they have experienced during the past two or three winters on account of not being able to purchase coal at any price, and to all appearance precisely the same inconvenience awaits them this coming fall and winter. What is wanted is some active man or firm, with sufficient capital and energy, who will take hold of the matter, and take the proper steps to secure an agency for the various kinds of coal controlled by the Union Pacific railroad company. If proper representations were made to the proper officials of that company, it is most reasonable to suppose that they would grant an agency for their coal. The next thing to be done would be the erection of coal sheds, an office, &c., and the putting in of a set of scales. At present coal is being sold at retail by measure, which, while no doubt a tolerably accurate method, is not enough so to be entirely satisfactory. The principal complaint, upon the coal question heretofore has been its scarcity rather than its price. People have often been glad to get it at any price within reason. But a comparison between the figures at which coal is being sold here, and the prices of the article in Salt Lake, show a shameful discrimination against the people of this county. We give Logan prices as nearly as we can ascertain them, for coal delivered: Rock Springs, $10.0; Weber, $9.00; Red Canyon, $8.00. Following are the prices of the same coal in Salt Lake, delivered: Rock Springs, $7.00; Weber, $6.00; Red Canyon, $5.50. Coal brought to Logan is conveyed by rail only about 20 miles further than that taken to Salt Lake. The discrimination in price is excessive and utterly unjust. The foregoing is not designed to reflect in the slightest degree, on the parties who, in a small way, are handling coal in this city. They are worthy men, and do as well as they can with the capital and influence at their command. But the community requires a well supplied coal agency, and we would like to see some man or firm take steps to establish it. |