Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-10
4. WILL PROBE INCREASE -
PROPOSED in COAL PRICES

wAshINGToN, May 1o.--A sweeping
.ss.fiSatlon of the carriers and producers
= soal will be conducted by the Depart
IN, ~ Justice and the Federal Trade
ees-srssion as a result of the announced
.avsnce in the price of coal to the con-
srner, The Department Of Justice has
tssn watching developments in the Penn
ss,yanla fields. and Attorney General
ns,rory. under date of May 6, wrote to the
Trsde Commission suggesting an inquiry
4 IA event that the carriers and pro-
ducsrs Increased the price of anthracite
coal
Attorney General Gregory has given out
a. contents of this letter 1t read:
III has been stated in the public press.
sath apparent authority, that having
szfeed to an advance in wages, the rail-
rssd coal companies will now use that
4 An excuse for materially increasing the
srIcs OF anthracite coal to consumers
III has been brought out in the various
eeal proceedings against the anthracite
fsI[roads that on similar occasions in the
usst when wages have been advanced the
railroad coal companies, on the pretext of
increasing prices for the purpose of meet
ine the Increased cost of production re-
silIIng from the higher wages, have made
much greater increases than were neces-
sary for that purpose.
Since January 1, 1900, there have been
three general advances in the wages of
nine workers in the anthracite regions ex-
elusive OF the present advance. In Octo-
bat 1900, wages were advanced approx
inasey 10 per cent. In the fiscal year
Immediately preceding this advance (Juiy
!. isgsJune 80, 1900 the cost of produc-
l|6a Of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal
and IRON Company, whose mines are
aaang the most expensive to operate, was
lIti per ton. In the fiscal year imme-
hkiay following (July l, 1900-June 80,
I'D its cost of production was $1.S26
n ton-an increase of $.156 per ton,/
Hakh includes not only the increase due
3 ne advance in wages, but the increase
DE to all other factors On the other
And, the same company Cthe others fol-
l1Hlng suit) increased prices by S,232 per
IN on all Sizes making the excess of
H'i1e Increase over cost increase S.076
- ton.
On November 1, 1902 there was anoth-
Z general advance in wages of approxi-
naiely IL per cent. In the fiscal year
AlHedatey preceding this advance (July,
lsal-lune 80, 1902 the cost of production
q me Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iian Company was S2.066 per ton. In the
1sra year Immediately following (July /.
Hsl-June 80, 19O3) its cost of production
rs s2l99 per ton-an increase of S.133
RF ton, which includes not only the in
rease due to the advance in wages, but
lhs increase due to all other factors. on
Ae other hand, the same company (the
|s.hafs foowing) increased prices by $,494
Ut ton on all sizes, making the excess
q price Increase over cost increase $.363
~ ton.
Undoubtedly the prices Immediately
showing the wage increase in 1902 were
spnpfmally high, due to the scarcity of
"a In consequence of the long strike. 1t
" Dc fairer, therefore, to take the prices
|a.ssaillng in the fiscal year ended June
y ssoi, as the basis for comparison. This
3seao show an excess of price increase
s'sf cost Increase of S.245 per ton"