New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-27

Washington, June 26.-Four hundred
coal operators, representing the great
fields of both bituminous and anthra-
cite, pledged themselves here to-day 20
sell their product at fair and rea-
sonable price, to be fixed, with the ap-
proval of the Defence Councils coal
committee. by special committees OF
seven producers from each coal mining
state.
These special committees also are au-
thorized TO confer with the Defence
Councils committee "to the end that
production be stimulated and plans be
perfected TO provide adequate means OF
distribution"
Warned United States Will Act
The operators action, in the form OF
a formal resolution adopted amid ap-
nlause. came at the close OF an all-day
conferenca which opened with actresses
bv Secretaries Lane and Daniels, John
r Fort. of the Federal Trade Commits
sion. ana hESlsAdlAk shNNtAtAN-
Louis. all of whom frankly warned the
PRODUCERS that unless they themselves,
established "A fair selling price and
nroner regulation of the industry, their
output would be taken over by the gov
ernment. ~
The meeting was called by the De-
fe,ce Councils committee for DIS
cuesion of methods of reducing the
nrice OF coal both 70 the government
and the general public, and was pre-
sided over by Frank 5. Peabody, oil
Chicago. chairman of the committee
While il was in progress the Senate In
terstate Commerce Committee, begin
ming an inquiry into the cost OF pro-
duction OF raw materials, was holding
is first hearing with coal operators
and miners as witnesses.
Both al the operators meeting ana
beforo the committee the solution OF
the greater production problem was de-
clared 10 be more railroad cars. Gar
sbortaee was blamed for restricting
the output # mines everywhere.
To Organize Operators
Sessions of the operators Will De
continued tomorrow. One OF the tnlngs
to be considered is motion declaring
"that il IS the sense OF TINS meeting
/ that they earnestly request every oper
ator in the United States TO JOIN a Goa,
/ operators' association OF his state ana
/ in such state where there IS no asso-
/ c;otior "a take immediate steps 70 or
canize one 50 that reliable and accu-
rato inflammation regarding the coal IN
/ dustrv can be furnished the govern
/ ment whenever called for
Representatives of each coal produc-
| inc state held meetings to-nlght 70
choose committees in accordance Win
Tho resolutions adopted and VIII report
tomorrow. -.
Secretary Lane minced no words IN
toiling the coal men they should be
natriotjc enough 10 forego pronts foi
! successful conduct OF the war.
l "The success OF the country IN mis-
great war" he said, rests on you sho
vou are responsible just the same as
/ inc soldiers in the trenches. Persnlne
/ in France, or the President IN tne
/ White House You control the funda-
mental Industry. How much vision nave
vouq Are you small or big? Are you
netty politicians or statesmen
Demands New Adjustment
"The country will not stand any
thing hut a large policy from large
, men There must be some new ADJUST
ment of the coal industry. Nhen you,
boy and mine are going 10 the iron'
is no time for you to reap an advan-
tage. even when il comes under normal
demands of trade The life OF the ma
tion is at stake and there are greater
things than making money. Is there
man who will say TO me: ou car
send your boy 70 France while ] sta .
hero and coin his blood into dollars?
+ To be an American citizen IS not mere
| lv 70 make A million dollars, but 1t !;
10 uphold the arm Of the man who is
( making the fight for his country.
c. " Moderwell, Chicago coal op
orator. predicted a serious Goa snort
ace at the head Of tie Great Lakes un'
+ iess action is takens He believed an
arbitrary price now vas undesirable
/ Fear of prosecution under the Sherman
/ law prevents the operators agreeing
/ among themselves to bring down the
price, he declared.
Chairman Newlands expressed the
opinion that the Attorney Genera
would not construe the Sherman law IN
that way.
81 think = the Attorney General
would tell US that the law would not
be- used against Us We could brinl
down the price Of coal very quickly
Mr.. Moderwell replied. He added that
the coal situation was in part caused
. by the fact that the mines operate