The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-22
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KANSAS
MINES
operators May Not Try To Run
Under Government Prices.
That Is Opinion Given Out by
Local Men Today.
CANNOT MAKE ENDS MEET
Coal Men Indicate an Attitude
of Defiance Here.
State To Take Over Plants ii
They Close Down.
PRICES MUST Be CHEAPER
Governor Says Even Usage
Field Must Be Kept Open.
He Predicts Lower Fuel Prices
for All Consumers.
Coal Men Indicate an Attitude
of Defiance Here.
PRICES MUST Be CHEAPER
Governor Says Even Usage
Field Must Be Kept Open.
He Predicts Lower Fuel Prices
for All Consumers.

y.
percentage of Kansas mines. includ-
ing those in Usage and Leavenworth
districts and q number of southeast
ern Kansas, will be forced to close
if the prices for Kansas coal at the
mine shaft, as fixed by President
Wilson. are made effective. That
was the sum and substance of
statement made here today by John
Mayer, of the Mayer Coal company
which operates a number OF mines
in Kansas.
G. r. Walker, president of the
Jackson Walker Coal company, said
the presidents prices would revo-
luriouiHe the coal mining industry.
lie declared that number of mines
would lie forced to shut down.
Operators of Kansas mines and
heavy retailers declared today that
the government price of coal would
result in a shut down at most of the
mines. Many dealers declared today
that the Usage county field and at
least portions of the southeastern
Kansas territory would quit business
before seeking to meet the govern
ment price demand.
Defiance marked the attitude of
many Topeka retailers today. They
declared operators would take imme-
date steps to close their plants.
Answering the challenge of the
operators, Governor Capper today
said that state and federal action
would be taken Immediately if any
mines were closed. He insisted the
Usage field as well as all other mines
in the state must be run at capacity
Unless the operators meet the de-
mands of the government in the prop
er spirit, there will be immediate
trouble according to the governors
prediction. That was the situation in
a nut she'll
Local Dealers ANXIOUS.
Practically every large retailer in
Topeka hung ON the long distance tel
ephone wires this morning while he
conferred with operating officials in
Kansas City and Pittsburg. Several
retailers declared that the mines
could not meet the demands under ex-
listing conditions.
My candid opinion is there isn't a
mine in the state can meet the de-
mand of the government" said H. l..
Peppmeyer, head of the Topeka coal
company and one of the largest retail
ers in the state. 1.-The price makes it
impossible to run. That il my hon
est opinion. l don't know what will
be done. but from information which
l have received today, it looks as tho
there will be a general shut down in
Kansas"
What if the government takes over
the mines?" Peppmeyer was asked.
1T would take sixty days to do it,.
said the coal man. I'm those sixty
days and by the time enough coal were
produced, most of the people would
be frozen to death. This matter isn't
nearly as funny as it looks on the sur
face. It's serious"
Close Usage Field.
THE Usage field simply cannot be
operated under this price" declared
d rd hpaN-V nd
mer Topeka mayor. While Billiard
did not pretend to speak by the card.
he felt confident the Usage field, at
least. would close. lit looks absolute
run" said Billiard, "altho the From
tenac and Cherokee fields may oper-
ate"
Governor Capper did not share the
gloomy views of the coal men. In fact
he predicted Sc lump coal for ToI.eka
and issued the ultimatum that if tbs
dealers sought to absorb the govern
ment reduction at the mine, the state
as we'll as the government would aci
Immediately.
Cheaper Prices Here.
THE government rate at the mines
means an so cent reduction on lumr
coal, which is used principally by the
consumers of this state" said the gov
ernor. This coal is now selling al
$3.50 at the mines and at 1913 in To
peka. The government rate would
mean $685. or Sc in Topeka But Il
retailers seek to absorb this reduction
at the mines, there will be trouble
The governor said he did not antici-
pate heavy reductions to consumers
beyond the reduction in prices at the
mines. With information gathered a
the hearings in Topeka this week
Governor Capper was confident the
state and government would be able t.
resist any effort to advance coal rates
on the other hand, a saving of rs 70 81
cents q ton will be made TO the con.
sumner. ne said.
Rates simply can't oe higher and
the { eal men must obey the demand.
Of the government" said Governor
Capper Il don't view the threats Il
Continued on Page TwOJ