The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-04-13
COAL COMBINE TO
BE PUT ON RACK

COAL COMBINE TO
BE PUT ON RACK
Continued from Page 1.
neously at different seasons of the
year. The price of coal is the lowest
when the people do no use any, and
1T is highest when they use the great
est amount of it.
The resolution as it passed the
council is as follows:
Whereas: There has been intro
duced in the house of representatives
at washington a resolution calling
for an investigation of an alleged
coal combine in Duluth and Superior,
and
Indictment Is Made.
whereas: The village of Two
Harbors undertook to sell coal to it's
citizens at cost, and certain dealers
at the head Of the lakes refused to
furnish the village with coal at
wholesale prices under various pre-
lenses, one of which was that the
village was not a member of the
Minnesota Retail Coal Dealers asso-
citation; and
whereas: The said village of Two
Harbors made application to said
Minnesota Retail Coal Dealers asso-
citation for membership therein, and
the same was refused, and
Whereas: 1t is self-evident that
some sort Of understanding exists
among coal Dealers, from the fact
that anthracite coal is sold at uni
form prices in Duluth, and these
prices are raised and lowered during
certain seasons of the year simulta-
neously by all coal companies, and
whereas: Certain grades of an
thracite coal, particularly those
grades used most generally by the
poor and the people of ordinary
means, were raised s1.00 per ton in
price during the time of the great
anthracite coal strike and no re-
duction has since been given, and
this in spite Of the fact that the rail-
roads have reduced freight rates on
coal, therefore be it
Appeal to Congress.
"ResOlved: BY the Common Coun-
Gil of the city Of Duluth that the
congress of the United States is
hereby urged to appoint committee
to thoroughly investigate the coal
situation at the head of the lakes, to
determine whether or not an illegal
combination exists, and to make such
inquiry into the cost of production
and distribution of coal, so that the
people will know whether or not
they are being charged exorbitant
prices fixed by an illegal combina-
ton and so that the government
may be able to take steps to give the
people relief. Be it further
"Resolved: That the city clerk be
hereby directed to certify copies of
this resolution to the speaker Of the
mouse OF representatives. to the Hon.
clarence B. Miller, and to the Hon.
Halvor Stevenson, of Minnesota.
Council Has Done Its Duty.
The city council has done it's full
duty in the matter. Now let the
Trades Assembly and every union in
Duluth join in the appeal. The
churches might get into this fight as
should also every welfare organiza-
ton in the city. There Is a chance
to do some real good for the people
of this community and no citizen
should let the opportunity pass with
out sending personal appeal to the
members of congress requesting them
to get after the Duluth coal combine
We do not expect the Commercial
club to do anything in the matter
100 many of it's members are tarred
with the same stick that has colored
the persons of the members of the
combine. Then too, this organization
has never been known to do anything
Tor Duluth in which ALL the people
would be the bene1ciaries.
Commercial Club Not Interested.
If it were a movement to increase
the business Of a few wholesale
houses the Commercial club would
be In the lead in the fight, but it is
not. and SO the people must be con:
tent to fight the battle alone
The price of coal in Duluth must
come down next year. The people
are tired of being robbed, and if con-
gress can be but Impressed with the
true situation at the head of the
lakes 1t will lose no time in accord
Ing to Duluth and Superior the relief
they request.
The Labor World predicts that the
coal combine at the head of the lakes
and the proceedings of it's meetings
Will never be able to stand the light
of investigation. So, let the good
work proceed, the time was never
70 opportune. ,.5.. - : %