Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-27
Conspiracy CHARGED
Red Hot Speeches at Get
CoaF Convention.
--a's-se stai-e~.a
at II
oPFICIAts9 CRITICISED
OUTRAGE THAT LAWS AREN'T
ENFORCED, !. bars GAINES.
acourts should Act,. He Declares
Senator Mason Presides-Inter-
= teresting Proceedings. Is
oFFICIAts8 CRITICISED

with regard to enforcing the provisions of
the sherman antitrust law and the inter-
state commerce law, coupled with threats
or impeachment of officials for neglect Of
duties connected with these laws, were the
principal features Of the opening session Of
the get coaP convention, which began its
work this morning in the assembly room at
the Shoreham. The meeting was enthusi-
astic and an unusual degree OF interest was
manifested IN the proceedings, particularly
as the speakers warmed up to their SUBJ
Jects and uttered vigorous protests against
existing conditions
The convention was composed of MEM
bers OF Congress, mayors of several cities,
business men and private citizens from
various parts of the country. The morning
session was devoted principally to speeches
delivered by Senator Mason of Illinois,
representative j. W. Gaines of Tennessee,
Mayor Maybury of Detroit, Corporation
Counsel Tarsney of Detroit and others.
A recess was taken at 1870 o'clock until
1850 o'clock this evening when it is ex-
pected that all the delegates to the con-
Congress, may be present and participate
IN Inc discussions and deliberations.
Senator Mason Presides.
Mayor Maybury of Detroit called the con-
ventfon to order. After the formal opening
presided during most Of the session Wash
ington was represented, but not officially
AS private citizens the following gentlemen
from this city participated in the conyen-
taon: Col o. G. Staples, F. K. Raymond
W. w. Dannenhower, r. p. Andrews and
Barry Buckley
In his opening remarks Senator Mason
LOOK occasion to refer to the failure Of
washington to take official cognizance Of
the get coal' convention, and suggested
tnat the capital city refused to be officially
represented In the meeting because of the
expense that would be entailed.
Mr.. Bulkley refuted the statement of
senator Mason as to the city's reasons for
declining to participate In the meeting He
declared that the doubt as to the legal
status or the citizens committee was the
oostacie IN the way of official representa-
ton, and not the anticipated expense Of the
meeting, as suggested.
Hot Shot From Mason.
Senator Mason criticised the coal dealers
and operators. charging that they had limit
ed the supply OF coal >the different cities
In order to keep UP the prices Of fuel
'"They have gone into a CONSPIRACY tn
raise the price of commodities in this coun-
try" the senator from Illinois declared.
He urged national legislation to relieve the
situation. saying that the government
should own the coal Mines for the people
IL
raj products Of the nation
The speaker cited several instances where
the courts stepped In to prevent corpora
ions from depriving people Of articles of
1000 and other necessities and said that the
law certainly had sufficient warrant for
taking similar measures In regard to the
coal question.
IT legislation" he said in closing,
doesn't correct the evils and give to the
people their rights, the commune will take
up the matter and then there will be reyo-
luton"
Mayor Maybury. in a brief address, said
that the city OF Detroit had gone into the
coal business and was now sunni wing about.
100 tons day to the citizens at greatly re-
duced cost The action Of the CITY in this
respect. he said. had caused a great slumn
IN the prices of coal among the dealers In
Detroit, and he expressed the opinion that
II the various municipalities of the country
would take up the matter in like manner
there would be notable reduction In the
price Of coal among dealers.
Antitrust Laws Application.
The application of the Sherman antitrust
law and the interstate commerce law to the
coal situation was discussed by Mr.. T, E,
Iarsney, corporation counsel for Detroit,
Among other things he said
1T is well-recognized principle Of law
that whoever commits his property to a
use In which the public has an interest he
a
extent to the control Of the public
Mr.. Tarsney read several decisions where
IN the laws mentioned had been applied by
the courts. Both laws. he said, provided
FOR violations in no uncertain terms The
grand jury was empowered to indict those
who violated the laws, and upon conviction
in each case the offenders could be fined
5000 and imprisoned He declared thars
was no doubt but that there had been many
violations of the two laws mentioned
In regard to the coal question:" he ask
ed. have there been any attempts at mo-
nopoly, at restraint of trade? Have there
been any combinations to raise the price of
fuel? If so. the parties offending can be
indicted by grand jury and proceeded
against at law"
Gan Outrage" Says Gaines.
Representative John Wesley Gaines of
Tennessee spoke briefly, but with yehe-
mence.
''It is an outrage" he said, "that the At
torney General of the United States and the
President of the United States have not
enforced these powerful laws on the statute
books of the country against the monopo-
lies. Right here in Washington, under the
shadow of the state house, people are freez-
ing to death for the lack of fuel We want
to find out whether or not it Is fact that
the District judges have not attempted to
enforce the laws applying to the coal trust"
Mr. Gaines suggested that there had been
a conspiracy to raise the price Of coal In
the District, and said no attempt had been
made to indict those responsible and to
enforce the laws against monopoly. Mr..
Gaines continued:
II have but little time to talk to you. 1
must go to the Capitbl to vote on the bill
to raise the salary ofathe judges of the Dis
trict from 81, 800 to- 5000 year. Will 1
do it? The District Judges have failed to
enforce the law and will lose my right
arm before Will consent to vote to raise
their salaries one cent with the record of
their failure to do justice staring us in the
face.
Talkedsof Impeachment.
1.-THE coal trust is freezing the people of
this country tpldeath, and an investigation
should be made so that the offenders may
be indicted. Let thee jurles decide as to
whether or not there is a conspiracy.
II would suggest that the people of the
District of Columbia petition the District
judges to enfopce the laws. See the At
torney General sand .ssk him to prosecute
the offenders ueder ene antitrust law and
let the jury decidesas to whether or not
they are violating the law. If the officials
deny your petition, we can then see about
impeaching the officers who fail to do their
dug. el
I'm Nashville coal is selling from 80 cents
a ton at the mines to 81 a ION, and there is
NJ.