The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-17
COAL AND MONEY ABUSES,
Chamber of Commerce VIII Try ia
Reform Them.

Gen. Andrews resolution for an in
qu1ry into the causes Of the present
high price Of coal is making work for
the chamber of commerce. The mer-
camille committee reported as follows
on 1t yesterday:
From the best information your commit
tee has been able to obtain, the present high
price appears to be caused by an agreement
among the mine owners in the state of
Pennsylvania, TO maintain a greatly advanced
price at the mines. Whether the agreement
is in violation of any Of the national or state
laws against trusts or combinations, your
committee is unable to determine. Neither
is it able to suggest the application of any
remedy that will secure a reduction. in the
present price of COAL
The report was signed by W. B. Dean C.
W. Hackett and A. H. Lindeke
This did not suit Mai Espy. who
thought middlemen and railroads were
to blame.
Gen. Sanborn thought a special COM
m1ttee might make further investiga-
ton, and that Maj. Espy should be on
it.
w. B. Dean said that the price at
the mines made the whole difference.
The cost of transportation was the
same as 1t had been for years.
Messrs. Espy, Murray and Gen. An
dreWs were appinted a special com
mittee to continue the investigation.
Ross Clarke introduced the following
n
etary system of the United States:
whereas, Certain defects are known to
exist in our financial system by reason Of
winch the United States treasury is compelled
to gather together gold from the public
moneys and furnish it to corporations and
individuals for sending out Of this country
and for other uses in no way connected with
the public business; and
whereas, Said defects impose on our puhlic
treasury undue burdens, and at times imnair
the public credit and breed distrust and doubt
at nome and abroad of the ability of this
nation to maintain the gold standard. as we'll
as causing great financial loss and alarm to
our people; and,
Whereas, We believe that these defects arc
dangerous and unnecessary element in our
currency system, and that they can be eradi-
Gated; be ii
Resolved, by the chamber of commerce Of
81. raul, That we urge on congress the neces-
sity OF passing an act at the earliest possible
moment. empowering the president of the
united states to appoint commission to for
mulate q plan for the reform of orr monaforv
SYSTEM that this commission should he com,
posed or men skilled in finance who shouId
nave knowledge obtained both from practical
experience and from study and observation.
and that this commission should be whoIIy
non-partisan in it's compositions: that tbis
commission be instructed to make a thor
ough, intelligent and scientific research on
the subject, and soon SIS possible report A
scnene Ior our monetary system free from
present defects and suitable for our en-
I1ghtened and progressive nation. and in
accordance with the lately expressed will of
the people to maintain the single gold stand
ard and to keep all our forms of money enua1
to gold.
1t was referred to the committee on
banks and banking, of which Col.
CIough was appointed chairman. Mr.,
Monfort having resigned
Edward B. Smith was elected a di
rector to fill vacancy.