Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-21
COAL MEN MAY BRING
$IO,OOO,OOO IN SUITS

Continued from Page one
1000 to 1900 tons Of coal on hand on
which they had paid the present high
rates
When the cut OF 20 cents ton be-
comes effective the small dealers who
buy carload of coal at time will be
! able to offer the benefit of the low rate
to the consumer without loss. Large
dealers who compete with them will have
to stand the loss OF that amount per ton
until they can obtain reparatlon by means
OF suits.
An Official Of one Of the largest coal
companies in the city said today, when
asked what he thought Of suits, that
reparation for a period OF six years would
break the railroads" He declined to go
into details or TO say whether his firm
will begin suit.
CITY BIDS POSTPONED.
The FIRST active step to gain advantage
Of the decision was taken by Herman
Loeb, Director OF the Department Of
Supplies, who postponed the opening OF
bids for more than 100000 worth OF
coal for the city from December % to
December "a. This will give dealers time
to reduce their estimates.
Coal men today are discussing the pos
slbility OF the Government eventually
ordering a cut in the. freight rates on
coal passing through this city. That
part of these rates covering the distance
between the mines and Philadelphia pro-
vided the basis for the action resulting
In the present decision. being consider.
ably lower than the rates for shipments
that end here.
Should the Government order a cut in
the through rates. they again will be-
u. .Naa
to this city that action before the State
Commission for another reduction in tho
local rate is possible.
surprising statement was made by
Harold S. Shertz, one of the two at
torneys who fought the case to a sue
cessful conclusion. He expressed the
opinion that the railroads will not at
tack the constitutionality of the COM
mission or its acts, and declared that at
the time the suit was started the Read
ing business department wanted to
grant a slight decrease in the rates.
According to Mr.. Sheriff, this depart
ment was overruled by the legal depart
before the commission. The Pennsyl
vania Railroad also advised that cut
be made in the hard coal rate, 1t is said,
but followed the Reading when that road
insisted on contesting the action.
A saving of s1,5OO.0OO by Philadelphia
coal consumers will be brought about by
the decision, It is estimated.
Philadelphians buy about 100000 tons
of coal each year, and the saving should
II ever reach the consumer, will be about
81, 100000. Some doubt as to whether the
consumer win get the benefit of the cut
in rates already has been expressed. 1t
has been suggested that the coal mining
companies may increase prices of coal at
the mines. Retailers also have been talk
ing this winter of a 25-cent-a-ton in
crease. and should these be made the 90
cent rate cut will be worth nothing to
the consumer.
WOULD FIGHT INCREASE AT MINES
Should the mining companies attempt
to increase the price of coal at the
mines. the attorneys will make a deter
mined fight against the rise. Mr.. Pier
son intimates that arrests may follow
should an effort be made to cheat the
public out OF the rate decrease.
Pennsylvanias coal fields are In three
great districts, schuylkilI. Lehlgh and
wyoming The Philadelphia and Read
Ing and its subsidiaries control most OF
tine hard coal traffic to this city. but
the Pennsylvania Railroad also has a
good share Rates on both roads from
the schuylklI district have been $40
a ton on prepared sizes. $40 ton on
pea coal and s1.25 a ton for steam sizes. |
From the Lehigh region tho Reading |
rate has been 3is6 ton on prepared. |
l.56 ON pea and S1.41 on steam sizes, while |
the Pennsylvania rate has been S1.75 on |
S1.45 on pea and $3.50 on steam |
sizes. The Wyoming rate on the Read
ing has been s2.10 on prepared. Sl.75 on
pea and s154 on steam sizes, and the |
Pennsylvania rate from this region $3.50
on prepared. $3.50 on pea and $1.35 on
steam sizes.
Under the ruling of the Public Service
Commission. pea and steam sizes will go
for the same rate. Each rate named Is |
ordered reduced by 40 cents a ton. The |
asked for larger reductions |
In nearly every instance, but are satisfied |
with the ruling OF the commission,
The reduction will more nearly equalize |
rates to this city and rates to other |