Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1920 — COAL PRICES PAID BY THE CITY [ARTICLE]

COAL PRICES PAID BY THE CITY

Is Several Dollars Less Per Ton Than That Paid by Individuals. The new coal contract of the city for the light and water plant Just entered into provides for the furnishing of Linton No. 4 coal, the best coal mined in Indiana outside of the Brazil block, it is said, at $3 per toa for mine run and $3.25 for screened 1%-inch or egg, f. o. b. mine. In addition to the above price should be added $1.37 per ton for freight, making the net price on track In Rensselaer $4.37 and $4.72 per ton, respectively. Just why the private consumer should be compelled to pay the price asked for coal here Is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary mind. Dealers here claim they cannot buy coal at any such price as that paid by the city or county on coal contracts, and yet it would seem that, each handling more than either the county or city uses, they ought to get equally as low prices at least. There Is certainly a screw loose somewhere by which the private consumer is getting badlv Hooked, and the state coal conirot law passed by Gov. Goodrich’s last special session of “the best legislature in 50 years,” which has already been atttacked in the courts by the coal barons, doesn’t promise much relief.