The Detroit times., 1917-08-18
NATIONAL AND STATES
GOVERNMENTS MOVE TO
take OVER COAL MINES
Wilson Will Order
Fuel Seizure Unless
Price Is Cut

VlhhVAf NouLOA VI Sodl lr near to-
day.
Mine owners who appealed 10
President Wilson for last chance
10 increase production and lower
prices are understood 10 have been
told that In event they fail 20 act
Immediately the government Will
take over the coal supply as It has
planned 20 DO with wheat
The union miners. headed By
John p White. lined up with the
defense councils coal committee
against government regulation
The Federal Trade commission at
the same time Is trying 10 satisfy
the growing demand from the mid
die west for relief from high prices
That President Wilson will order
the commission 10 carry ont The
pomerene coal amendment TO tho
food control. Law is considered proba
BILE in event other measures fall
Chairman Peabody of the couu-
ellis coal committee addressed
nnal appeal 90 tho mon IN tho coal
industry 10 exercise proper de-
gree of voluntary restraint and
safeguard tho public as well as oh
tain maximum production.
In tho judgmcnt OF ilo commit.
tee" he said. "thc problems affect
ing this industry can he more et
fectivcly solved and the interest ~
our nation and tho public more
properly protected hy he mon who
from the nature ~ their occupation
are essentially qualified 20 deal With
thom
Peabody and White pleaded win
the president NOT 20 carry ont
plan ~ government purchase ~ all
coal A. cast ~ production and rc-
sale 10 tho consumer plus a nom
inal charge for handling
White and other officers of the
United Mine Workers ordered The
Alabama coal miners 10 postpone
the strike ~ 25.ooo mon called for
today
CHICAGO. Aug IS Tho middle
west was uniting today IN the neht
against excessive coal prices steps
were taken in three states and were
about 70 he taken In two others. TO
ward state control % mincs
In Illinois. Gov t.owdcn called on
Atty Cen Rrundage for the proper
procedure 10 seize Illinois 500
mines. which employ 100000 men 4
special session of tho Legislature
may he called owden took this
step following rejection hy coal
operators Of an Offer ~ operation
between the state and minc owners
10 FIX coal prices
In Indiana. GOV Goodrich laid.
plans 10 call special session OF
tho legislature for Aug - to estab
lish "A fair coal price
Gov. Capper. OF Kansas. called
conference OF coal producer Tor
next Monday 10 fix prices. tapper
said he would seize the mines " he
conference failed
In Missouri. Atty Gen McAllister
announced he would recommend
seizure OF the mines 20 Gov Gard.
ner
In Colorado. Denver has contract
Cd for the entire output Of two coa'
mines 10 see that the poor get coal
this winter
Gov. Harding. Of Iowa. announced
that unless relief comes AZ once he
would seize all mines
Opportunity will be- given Uncle
Sam TO step in first however
Actual SEIZURE OF the mines Is not
expected by tho states before 10
days All want federal control
but they want 1t quick.
Federal injunction against seizure
~ mines will bc sought hy the oper-
ators. according ~ Illinois owner
Justice Carter. Illinois fuel dicta-
tor continued his probe into costs
~ coal production TODAY carter
was expected 10 fix mine mouth
price by Wednesday In time tQ an
nounce % 70 the conference Of mid
vost state executives here Thurs
day
within few hours after dcter
mining tho minc mouth price. Car
ter will set about fixing retail
price
Al middle west states kept their
eye on Illinois today They are
watohfully waiting 10 see how far
Illinois can 20 successfully.