The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-06
ROD in PICKLE
FOR COAL MEN

Representative Rattey. the house Demo-
cratic leader in the assembly, is after
the coal dealers with a sharp stick
He claims 10 believe that the coal men
have an abundance OF that commodity on
hand. which the mild winter has aided
them in accommodating in a wise deterrnin-
alton 20 be forehanded in preparation for
the strike that they considered newt
able.
Mr.. Rattey further asserts his belief
that there is now on hand in this city
fully twice as fuch coal as ordinarily at
this time. and that the probabilities of
any paucity OF fuel are extremely re-
mote.
According to Mr.. Rattey, the local coal
dealers have not in any way been crowded
to the wall by the operators from whom
they buy. and have not been forced by
other above them 10 advance the prices
TO consumers.
Mr.. Rattey therefore. considers the re-
cent raise in prices here extortionate, and
holds that IL has the appearance OF trust
methods, especially I'm view OF the evil
dent combination OF the dealers TO ad-
vance the price simultaneously and TO n
figures agreed upon by them with each
other.
This Is held by Mr.. Rattey to SAVIOR
strongly OF extortion, conspiracy and IL
legal combination; and, even If such be
not the fact, his desire is to have such
action made illegal by statute.
Accordingly, he introduced in the house
today an act providing for the licensing
OF all dealers in coal, and for the sus-
pension or revocation of licenses when a
Justice OF the superior court finds IL
censees guilty Of charging extartonate
prices, conspiring, combining unlawfully
with other persons unlawfully discrimi-
mating or using false weights or meas
ures."
A fine OF not more than 800. or six
months imprisonment. or both. is pro-
vided for violations of the act. which is
as follows
Section 1. No person. firm or corpora
tion shall engage I'm or carry on the bust
ness OF selling coal or coke. as proprietor
or agent, In any city or town. at whole3ale
or retail either by maintaining a place OF
business or by pedding from house TO
house, or otherwise. without nrst obtain
ing a license therefor from the secretary
Of state.
Sec. 2. Such license shall be granted an
nually by the secretary OF state for such
periods and upon the payment OF such
fees, not exceeding s. per annum, and up
on such conditions and terms as may be
prescribed In the several cities and towns
by ordinance, or as are hereinafter pre-
scribed.
Sec. g. Said secretary OF state may sus-
pend or revoke said license, after giving
10 the said licensee fair hearing. for
charging extortionate prices. for conspir-
Ing. combining unlawfully with other per-
sons. unlawfully discriminating in the
conduct OF said business. for the using
OF false weights or measures. or for any
other just or sufficient cause.
Sec. 4. Any licensee aggrieved by the
suspension or revocation OF his license
may appeal within 10 days thereafter 70
any Justice OF the superior court. who
shall hear the parties az soon as may be.
and whose decision sustaining. modifying
or annulling the action OF tho licensing
authority shall be final Pending such ap-
peal. or n decision thereon. the license
shall continue In force
Sec 8. II shall be the duty OF any Ilcen-
see az aforesaid 10 give public notice that