New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-30

BLAMED ON PLOTS
u. S. Attorneys Discuss
Prosecution of Dealers
and Roads

Prosecution % big coal dealers ass
railroads or charges Of COLLISION "a
bringing about high prices Of coal ss.
came imminent yesterday after a Coz.
ference here OF United States Dis.ra
Attorneys from Maine 70 west VIZ.
GINA. Practically every one rspor,st
that railroads and dealers had bee,
found to have adopted system Of 10.
lay in delivering cars for coal. in lesl
ing them on delivery and in moyi,
the loaded cars.
This system, 10 Was pointed out, VA
to mako il impossible for consumer, 70
obtain the,s fuel, and a CRY Of fsnlr'
went IN throughout the New Eng,zrt
and Atlantic Coast states. As a resBa
OF this supposedly artificial scarcity
prices scared as high as si3 a ton q
New York and even higher in csrtsii
outlying towns Of New England.
Ample Evidence, Says Anderson
George ". Anderson, special assist.
ant to the United States Attorney Cez.
eral In the nationwide investigates
of the nigh cost OF living, made Il es-
dent that there was ample evidence o.
violations OF the law. Just how he
would proceed against these viola,on.
however. he refused 20 say. At The
conclusion OF the days conference,
which was held behind closed doors. b,
made il evident that railroads and cosl
dealers might expect little mercy when
their cases reached court
81 can only repeat that there is syi-
dence that some Of the high peak
prices in various parts Of the country
! cannot now indicate where-are n.
result OF unlawful acts" he explained.
THE conference has approved Of the
method already under way in New Eng.
land for systematic cooperation with
railroads to learn just who Is respon.
sible for the unnecessary detention OF
cars. either by abuse OF reconslgner,
or producers or by failure to unload
within reasonable periods.
Business men who hold or d.tsin
cars unnecessarily and unfairly are
under Just suspicion. IL IL is found
=
bination 70 create a scarcity, enhance
profits and increase prices, ! an sure
that such men can expect no lenisnel
from juries during these hard times.
Indictments Likely
The work of the investigators her,
has not been ended, for it is expeei,:
that indictments may be returned earn
next week. One coal dealer and or
railroad have been repeatedly name
as most likely to face prosecutions a
a result of this inquiry.
The consumers lobby at Albany 70
the approaching session of the Legs
lature obtained additional backing yes
terday. when Mayor Mitchell asks'
Joseph Hartigan, Commissioner o
Weights and Measures, 70 repressr
the city in the hearings attending ~
presentation of the numerous food am
market measures 20 be considered Their
next week. Chief among the new BIZ
will be one calling for the creation o
a new department OF foods ana mar
kets. with the ultimate establishment
Of a terminal market here.
George W. Perkins, head OF Governs
Whitman's market investigating oool
Yesterday forwarded a report 10 y
Executive covering the findings OF hl'
committee. This report Is said 10 co,
tain recommendation for the eres,i''
OF such a commission along the line
of the recommendation OF the Wiet'
committee. The bill recommended y
the Perkins report was said 70 nav
been in the process Of drafting u"
evening.