New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-29
HARD COAL INVESTIGATION
Pennsylvania Plans a Sweeping
TW0.Year Inquiry,
TO LOWER COST OF LIVING
Committee Empowered to Go
Into Relations with Railroads
Banks and Labor.

harrisburg Penn. March :>.--A sweep
.ns legislative investigation OF the sn'hr"-
Ell. coal industry in pennsylvania IS pro
nosed in a concurrent resolution INTRODUCED
,od.v ~ .ta General Assembly, WhlNN n@>
in Vicw the enactment of laws Tor Inc P'V-
lection Of the public and the REDUCTION VI
the cost Of coal.
As an indication that the proposed inVes-
irstion will be thoroush, the committee j
empowered TO inquire into the relations ne
tween 1ninins and transportation companies
snd Inc great banking houses which are
said 70 10 closely affiliated with them ana
which usually conduct their financial oper
stons.
The resolution. which l. understood to
have the approval Of the Republican Iea"
as gives The committee power 20 inNeSu-
gate tho matter Of freight rates " oehs
sueeed IN the resolution that The rates tor
EntSracite are much higher than those Toy
h'tuminous coal.
The resolution which CALEB for COM
,ri,tee of seven was presented IN the senate
Nv Samuel Salus (Repubicanl. OF Fhiia'
oelphia Tbs preamble recites that:
Whereas. The nigh cost Of living IN the
clues and in those portions OF ne C 90,
mcnveath remoye4 rom Nm. ,ne 5 S,.'i 10 fbe
Zig Price o. tuel used for domestic and
Other purposes and. 90 common
know ledge that 4 large pari u me eA UiIi'.
Ysut cost Of anthracite co2l 70 we Fu,,it-
&c Oh. 10 the excessive freight ana olnet
TRANSPORTATION charges Whicn Sre .rsrl-
hiaher than rates c'arseJ lr.i rel,. az, ~
portaficn Of Other coal and enirei! vul -
y~opor,'on 10 the length 81 the maui ai,9
-he service rendered ul The carriers q s'lN
anthracite coal; and , -
- cd
vance n the price 10 be charged the P+V
20 Tor anthracite Goa are con'empis''u'
end. .,... -.
r .casSivo freight and other crs gos mace
Tor tae transportation end nancnne o, an
fhracitf coal arc IN part A. east uu7 ~
large fees and commissions palo Q! lIv
transport companies 20 pri'ai an
other bankers for the negotiation OF me
sale o. the securities Of said transportation
conlpsuies and fcr loans o. money thereto
s,5 arc also dive 70 excessive fees, COM
Y,'ie sors and other charges paid To- urok-
@rs commission agents. salss agents. lac
to-s and middlemen, al Of |nics are aooeo
rortation and delivery - tie public ~
anthracite coal for domestic fue' ana othei
rEposes;
m view Of this alleged condition the COM
,rit,ee OF Investigation is directed part'c-
,larly 20 inquire into the actual cost Of
the mining and transportation Of anthracite
coal throughout the commonwealth and the
-roportions OF which costs are paid 10 Labor
S. the mining and transportation Of said
anthracite coal. with a view % determining
whether the rates charged for the trans
portatIon II said anthracite coal are eNces-
siye as compared with the rates charged
for The transportation u other coal and
commodities O. a simi,er nature for equal
distance. and 81 come ctior With this in
vestisation, to inquire into the costs OF
operation and management Of common car
rierS engaged IN the transportation OF
anthracite coal and Of the cost OF the min
ins thereof with view or determining
whether the cost Of anthracite coal 70 the
Consumer Is ir am measure due 10 usurious
ices and commissions paid by transporta-
ton conpe MES 20 private ana other bank
evs who are IN the directorate of Or arc
closely affiliated With such transportation
cnnpanies FOR tho negotiation % the sec
urities OF the said companies and Tor loans
~ money thereto, and 70 excessive fees
commissions END other charges paid by
transportation and mining companies -
brokers. comm ssion agents. sales agents
factors and niddlemen.
The committee &c also directed ~ inquire
into tie relation % The private and o'her
bankers. brokers. factors and agents who
ere IN nc directorate II INC anthracite
coal CARRYING transportation companies 70
me mining ana sale IF anthraci'a coal, the
commissions exacted and paii FOR the
negotiation % securities and FOR loans Of
money and upon toe sale, of COAL 'he cost
~ mining. the wages paid labor and all
other charges entering into the price psid
for anthracite coal by 70 consumer, With
: view OF determining whether or not The
cost 20 the public o. anthracite coal for
domestic and other purposes Is reasonable
and justified nv existing conditions
The committee IS directed 10 sit during
tie recess and 70 report 10 the 1913 Legs
lsture $500 being appropriated FOR as
penSes