The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-14
PUBLIC HEARING
ON COAL PRICE
(Continued from page u


The national defense council fears II
the states mix into the coal control
problem, it may serve TO seriously
embarrass the government in It's
plans for sweeping action.
Justice Carter, fuel dictator OF
Illinois, had planned today to ar
range an inquiry into coal transpor-
tation problems. The operators nave
agreed to accept Carriers decision on
reasonable coal prices.
1t is understood, however, that the
government does not wish Carter to
fiy any price schedule now. 1t is
pointed out that n the states Tx
prices and the federal trade commits
sion establishes another price, I'M
der authority from the president,
confusion may arise with the coai
operators-like the railroads-clalm-
ing too many bosses.
An understanding between the gov
eminent and the state authorities on
course of procedure was expected
today.
Railroads Assure Aid.
CHICAGO, Aug. l4.-hallroau "
ficials assured Justice Garter at
conference today that they wouid 40
their utmost to facilitate the QUICK
movement of coal from the mines 10
shipping points.
NO complaint has been made that
the railroads are charging too high
prices for moving COAL said Carter:
81 am satisfied the railroads VIII
help" r. H Ashton, president OF
the Northwestern, Vice President
Burnham, of the Burlington; O. n.
Markham. president OF the Illinois
Central, and w. ]. Jackson, receiver
of the Chicago and Eastern ILLINOIS,
were present. J. Ogden Armour,
member of the defense council
coal committee, did not attend.
That separate hearings in the var
ious coal districts may nave 10 %
held, was the statement OF carter.
~There is a difference in the costs
of production in the various coal AIS
tricts in Illinois and separate meet
ings may have to be held in each
district he said.
Government Takes Hand.
CHICAGO, Aug. 14,-Uncle Sam
has taken a hand in the Illinois coal
situation. !.
This was learned today when IL
became known that coal operators
have received warning from WASH
ington that it might be necessary LOT
the government to interfere through
fear of complications" which might
result from any action by the In
nois defense council The spreading
Illinois coal mine strike is said to
have alarmed Washington.
Operators declare this is just
what they want-federal control OIL
the mines.
"IInless something is done within
the next few days to allay publicity
already given, within a week illinois
coal mines will be flat idle said
high official of the Illinois coal
operators association today.
Complete idleness in the Illinois
mines would mean $4,000 men would
be out and close to 100000 tons or
coal day tied UP.
Operators declare federal control,
not only of Illinois, but throughout
the country, Is what they have been
fighting for.
DR.. F. C. Honnold, secretary OF the
Illinois operators, declared today
that federal control had been urged
upon the state defense council but
that it refused the suggestion.
'1t must be borne in mind that the
problem of determining coal prices
is, of necessity, one OF the federai
government" says a statement which
the operators claim they submitted
to the defense council Twenty per
cent of the coal used in Illinois comes
from Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania ana
other eastern states. In turn, ILL.
nois normally moves a large part OF
its tonnage into a dozen or more
neighboring states. It is now con-
fronted with requests for coal from
outside the state, which if provided,
would absorb thirty or more per
cent of the tonnage produced between
now and next April.
1.-The competitive conditions OF the
Illinois operators are almost ent1reIy
based on interstate conditions and
adjustments"
The operators attitude today was
not very friendly toward state fixing
of prices. They will not say they
will refuse to accept price fixed by
Justice Carter, fuel director, but will
take that matter up tomorrow at a
meeting of coal operators to discuss
the appointment of committee to
act with Carter.
AS Last Resort.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-As a
last resort to meet the threatened
coal famine in the great lakes region
President Wilson will be asked tc
exercise his authority under the food
control and priority shipment bill
either to commander coal or eX
pedite its transportation from the
mines.
This situation developed today at
q conference of coal producers and
dealers with Chairman Peabody OF
the defense councils coal committee
At the same time the mine owners
admitted shipping vast quantities to
Canada at from 81 to $3.50 a ton, de
spite the shortage in many parts OF
the United States.
They blamed Secretary Baker for
this, stating today that when he re,
fused to accept the Peabody agree