Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1916 — Terer Haute Mayor Sells Coal For $2.75 a Ton. [ARTICLE]

Terer Haute Mayor Sells Coal For $2.75 a Ton.

Terre Haute, Nov. 20.—The city of Terre Haute got into the coal business today. The first day was a big success. Two hundred teamsters were kept busy hauling coal from a mine leased by Mayor James Gossom. The coal sold at $2.75 a ton. Dealers were selling the same grade for $6 a ton. Gossom says he will keep up the system until the price of coal here is forced down. Mayor Gossom issued the following statement: In arranging to deliver coal to the consumers of Terre Haute who have been unable to meet the exorbitant demands of dealers, I am trying merely to remedy a condition in the best way possible. ... The mayor wired sever§T“coaFcompanies for prices on coal. One replied: Our contracts are taking all the coal we are able to load. The car shortage is so stringent we are unable to get any more running time than we require to take care of our contracts. Similar replies were, received from five others.