Rock Island Argus., 1913-03-06
CONSUMERS PAY
THRICE INCREASE
Hard Coal Price Is Raised
S9,450,000 Above Gain
for the Workers.

Washington. March 5.-Hard coal
companies increased the wages of
their employees S4.d00OO0 after the
strike agreement OF last May and in
creased the price of anthracite TO con
sumers s13.45G,009 according 10 a re
port based on al investigation by the
bureau OF labor submitted TO congress.
The report submitted BY Secretary
Nagel IS the result Of an investigation
conducted in response TO a house reso-
luton asking for the elements OF cost
and profit included in the present high
price of anthracite.
An average increase of &c cents a
ton in wholesale coal prices was dis
covered to have been made since the
strike agreement OF last May.
In spite of the fact that the workers
benefited about 100000 in increas-
ed wages during the year. the report
adds that the recent increases in
prices have been more than sufficient
20 compensate fully those companies
whose costs OF production have il
creased most rapidly during recent
years. and at the same time have yer-
greatly Increased the profits oG those
companies. OF which there are a. least
several, whose costs OF production
either decreased or remained station
AIRY during the same period.
Coal for domestic use Increased a
fraction over II cents ton, that on
pea coal and the smaller steam sizes
lG cents ton. These figures We're
based on comparison of net receipts
by the operators after the agreement
Of May last with their receipts dUriu =
the same months, June to September,
1Sl1.
OF the NOR. than sl3,600,0G0 gained
y the opera 0rs after the strike agree
ment $4,000 0o3 ae derived from gen
"!al increase in prices and about 81
-5",nO0 from the suspension of April
and Nay discounts, while in addition
limited number Of operators are re-
ported TO have received very large
sums through the sale of coal AT pre-.
miums made possible by the shortage
of shipments" incident 70 the strike.
The discounts of 10 ana 30 cents a
ton CUstomarily allowed in April and
May on domestic size coal were suE.
pended during those months in 1912
As a result the operators not only
gained by saving this discount. says
the report. but in addition purchasers
who were unable 10 ob,ain their usual
supply in those months we're forced 70
buy it during June, July or August
when discount rates were smaller, OF
in September and later. when fuu cir
culaT prices are charged.
The Sl&,4oU.p00, the report SAYS
was not net profit. because Ou+ Of il
came the cost of the six weeks cessa
tion of work by the strikers and also
the increase in their wages. The IN
crease in wages, however, the repor
adds, represents a raise Of only 3 70 i
cents a ton in the cost Of coal produc
ton
The report does not estimate nov
much more the public paid for its Goa
last year than if 1911 rates had con
tinued although il says that the in
crease in wholesale prices affected re
tail prices directly and that in all com
munities these advances We're felt
The retail increases averaged % cent
a ton on stove and ~ 20 30 cents oil
chestnut coal
In New York. Philadelphia ant
Washington retail advances CORE
spOndsd very closely with the advsrC
es in the circular prices Of the opera
tors In some places, however, I'll
advances we're much more pronounce
and the report cites Springfield, Mass
and Manchester, y. H, where il wa