Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-10-03

city council take steps al least so to
reduce this evil as to make the streets
of the city fit for use by the citizens.
We have found in some cases sent
To us for investigation from the
courts of justices of the peace. that
the facts were quite insufficient to
justify holding defendants in custody
or under bond. We believe that this
has been i'm great part due TO failures
on the part of the justices fully and
carefully to investigate the cases, and,
in part to ignorance of the law. We
do not desire to criticise any particu-
lar person. but we trust that greater
care may be exercised i'm this regard
in the near future.
The Coal Question.
We have had under investigation
the question of the extraordinary in
crease in the retail price of coal in the
city Of Albuquerque. and an increes.
which presses with greatest severity
upon people with the smallest in
comes. Among other witnesses sum
moned before us. were the two local
coal dealers, and several coal mine SUI
perintendents from Gallup who. upon
the advice Of counsel refused 10 an
swer questions eropounded to them
by us We certified to the court the
fact OF these refusals. and the court
decided that the Investigation is prop
erly within the scope of our jurisdic-
lion and that the questions should be
answered
As 10 the mine superintendent who
were questioned about the cost Of
production and selling price Of coal
we are satisfied that they do not pos
sess definite knowledge on these sub
iocts. the business offices and records
and account books Of the American
Fuel company being all kept i'm Dem
yer. from which alone could the in
formation be derived. We believe we
have sufficient Information on this
subject for present purposes. and even
If we could obtain the attendance of
witnesses from Denver. the expense
would be large and ought to be avoid
ed If possible.
We we're not at all satisfied that we
should cease further efforts to learn
more about what appears TO MS to be
a public grievance From the stand
point which we occupy, from such evil
dence as we had been able To obtain,
we could not consistently, with our
sense Of duty. refrain from making
further attempts at investigation. We
have, therefore. had the two wit
nesses. William II Hahn and John 5.
again rrapounded 10 them the ques-
tions first reported 10 the court to-
gether with some others. and they
have testified without further refusal
While we are not at present. upon the
evidence obtained able to present in
dietments under the statutes of the
territory, yet II appears to make pub
lie some items of information which
we have been able to get. which may
he of value and interest to the people.
IL must be understood that We do not
attempt to state whether these mat
ters have been ELECTED from witnesses
brought before us or whether they are
within the personal knowledge of our
members.
We have learned that what is
known as commercial lump coar'
can be purchased in Gallup for $3.50
per ton on the cars. and that the
freight on such coal from Gallup to
Is s2.f5 1tef ton. thus
making the cost. delivered at Albu-
1uerque. S4.65 per ton. Such coal re-
tails today in Albuquerque for $3.50
per ton. We have also learned that
coal OF the same grade but of supe-
rior quality can be purchased at Ha-
gan for S2.25 per ton. but Hagan is
distance from any rail-
road and about 36 miles from Albu-
luerque by wagon road. These prices
are higher than those which have pre-
vailed for number Of years prior to
The fall of 1907. What Is known as
mine run coal can be purchased for
about So a ton at both Gallup and
Iie gan. and for even less at the lat
er place. while the freight rate on
such coal from Gallup. 15s miles.
would be Sl.75 per ton. IL is believed
hat nj ine run coal from HaRan can
De brouLh ht to Albuquerque for less
han S5 N cluding all freight charges
rhe freight rates on coal from mines
near Cerrillos To Albuquerque. about
fifty miles, are for bituminous lump
'oal. Sl75 per on. for bituminous
tut coal s1.35 PEI ton; for anthracite
ump coal s2I0 pei ton. and for an
hracite nut coal. S1.y7 per ton. We
AVE not been able a. ascertain at
what price coal can be purchased at
he mines near Cerrillos
We are informed that bituminous
commercial lump coal from the mines
lear Cerrillos Is being sold at retail
u So per ton I'm the city Of Santa Fe:
he freight rate on such coal. we are
idViscd Is 40 cents per ton less from |
fadrid to Santa Pc than from Madrid |
o Albuquerque. and this coal is sold |
n Santa Pc at $l50 per ton less than |
n this city.
It is a matter Of common knowl- |
dge that the retail price of lump coal |
n Albuquerque has within the last /
wo years risen from $3.50 TO $3.50 |
'er ton. and we have not been able to
earn from any witness the reason for
uch Increase. Those witnesses who /
night perhaps have given us full in
ormation. failed To do 80. but IL ap-
ears 10 ms extraordinary that the two
ncal coal dealers. who are supposed
% be competitors In business and who
erive their supply Of coal, as II is
enerally well known. from At least
hrce different sources. should today
e selling their coal at precisely the
anne prices. n Is "A noticeable fact
hat the fluctuation In the retail price
coal IN Albuquerque has been sim
itaneous observed by both the local
callers. each advancing or decreasing
he price exactly IN the same amount
II appears To us probable that some
ause other than a purely local one.
iay have brought about this state Of
fairs. and ~ so. IL D. possible that
he Investigation may take 50 broad a
cope a. to be beyond the jurisdiction
Z the grand jury Of a single county.
! which case u would certainly form
proper subject for the federal au-
loritics The public will never rest
itisfied until Il is fully informed a.
, what has caused the greatly In
reascd cost 81 this necessity of life.
nd we sincerely hope that steps may
. taken 10 bring about an exhaustive
ivestigation. either by the interstate
Dmmerce commission or under the