South Bend news-times., 1917-05-22
I RADE BODY HAS
PRICE FIXING PLAN
Report to Congress Declares
That Check Should be
Put on Dealers.

WASHINGTON. May 22-Goyern-
ment regulation of the coal indus
try. including the fixing Of prices.
was proposed by the federal trade
commission Monday in a report TO
congress charging producers and
brokers with exacting exorbitant
profits and blaming the present coal
shortage at consumption points on
inadequate transportation facilities
The price of bituminous coal.
which is "A necessity, should be fix
ed said the report. according 20
the same general principle which
has been established in the conduct
OF public utilities. At a time like
the present excessive profits should
not be permitted TO he extorted from
the public by producers and dis
tributors of any prime necessity OF
life"
Supreme Court Decision Vital
In line with the trade commits
sion's statements concerning trans
pOrtation, the supreme court handed
down a decision Monday upholding
the power of the interstate com
merce commission TO compel rail
roads to furnish a reasonably ade-
quate number of coal cars 10 handle
normal and seasOnable demands for
interstate commerce originating at
mines along their lines and TO award
reparation TO shippers for failure TO
supply cars. In a test case of Illinois
coal producers against the Illinois
Central railroad, the court reversed
a federal court injunction enjOining
an order of the commission for in
vestigatiOn Of damages 20 shippers
for failure of the railroads to supply
cars.
To Remedy Transportation.
Lack Of transportation for coal,
the trade commission report says.
proba bly, Will he remeGied by meas
ures being taken by the interstate
commerce commission and by the
council Of national defense. These
measures include regulations cover
ing the distribution of open-top cars.
expedition of shipments, the return
OF empty cars to mines, prevention
of additional transportation equip
ment. either by acquiring new cars
or by discontinuance of unnecessary
passenger trains
The commissions report said that
while there had beer an increase in
coal production, an unprecedented
demand during the last six months
not only absorbed coal as fast as it
could be shipped but exhausted the
small stocks in storage. The country
now faces a serious situation, the
commission declared, in obtaining
commodity basic 70 virtually every
form OF military and industrial ac-
tivity.
Big Increase i'm Demand.
The increase in demand has been
great In 1916 shipments of coal
from the mines amounted 10 about
500. OOO, 600 tons about $4,000. 900
greater than in 1915. This was due.
the commission found. 10 industrial
expansion and to increased railroad
traffic transportation difficulties
grew. out of unusual burdens laid
upon both rail- and water transpor
tation systems. and on abuse Of re-
consignment and demurrage privil-
eges.
The commission recommended
strongly that coal miners be eX
empted in the army draft and that
everything possible be done to urge
them TO remain at their normal
tasks
Specializing brokers as well as pro-
ducers were charged with response
bility for increased prices. The pro-
ducers. the report said. admit frank
" they are taking advantage Of the
situation TO make up for low profits
OF the last few years.