The Washington times., 1917-11-08
WEAVER SOON TO
FIX COAL PRICES
FOR WASHINGTON

Coal prices in the District ~ columbia
will soon be nAeI Icy Federal Fuel Adj
minisIi.,ioi John L. Weaver.
A ccuH.a;;tcr headed 10y &. \. Aspiu-
wall is working on s detailed schedule
OF prices FOR al coal in the District.
The work j. beinS spcedej as mu'n IS
possible. but care is being taken. II was
declared today. 10 prevent any mistake
or hurried action.
Prices in the District will BIZ based
upon the price q coal At the mines as
fixed by the President. plus freight and
plus a dealers margin. which Is not TO
be more than 20 per cent in excess OF
the 1915 margin for gross profits, out OF
which must be deducted the cost OF haul
ing, handling and other incidents IN CON
nection with the coal business.
Consider Distribution Cost.
The cost OF distribution in Wash
ington is to be taken into considera-
tion in fixing the price.
Mr.. AspinwaIl. as vice president of
the Security Storage Company. is an
expert on distribution cost and cost
accounting. He is giving much of his
time to the price fixing.
NO nat price IOI lne various
or sizes OF anthracite coal can be
fixed because of the variance OF the
original price at the mines. Some
Washington dealers buy from the
railroad coal companies and others
from the independent operators,
which are mostly smaller concerns,
In fixing prices at the mines a differ
ence of 75 cents a ton was allowed
in favor of the small independent
dealers, whose costs are generally
higher.
Accounts for Variance.
This situation has accounted for
variance in prices quoted by Wash
ington dealers on practically. the
same grades and sizes of coal. There
has also been a variance due to DIFF
ference in handling, storing and de
livery cost.
This variance will continue on the
price list fixed by the Fuel Admins
traitor.
Mr. Weaver and the men cooper
ating with him in price fixing are ex'
pecting "a shower OF bricks from
one side or the other. or possibly both.
when prices are announced. The fuel
administrator declared, however, that
the prices would be fixed according
to his conscience on a just basis. fair
to the consumer and to the dealer.
Excessive Prices.
Mr.. Weaver today received from the
fuel administration a letter on meth
DDS Of handling exorbitant retail
prices.
The letter said, in part:
at has been caAed to our attention
that in certain communities retail
dealers are charging an excessive re
tail price for coal. In some localities
retail merchants enjoyed both in 1915
and in July. 1917, a margin of profit
which under present circumstances
would appear to be unreasonable.
where such a condition is reported
in your territory, we suggest that
your committee make a careful inves-
tigation OF the costs of doing bust
ness by each of the dealers, and If
1t appears that more than reason
able profit is being enjoyed by the
dealers there, that the committee ar
rive at a fair and reasonable profit
to be allowed the retailer, send their
recommendations as to such reason
able price or prices to the State Ad-
ministrator, who will pass upon the
recommendations of the local commit
tee and determine whether their find
iags are equitable and just to con
sumner and retailer as well. The
State Administrator will then confirm
such prices in that town or city. sub
ject to appeal to the United States
fuel administrator.