Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-08-19
Chief Executive Visits Trade
Commission and Gets Facts
Regarding Cost of Produc-
ton From Experts.
PEOPLE MAY SUFFER
FROM FUEL SHORTAGE
Three Ways Open for Handling
Situation and One Believed
Most Effective win Be
Adopted.

Washington, Aug. 1S.--Indications
that the government Ia preparing to
take control of the coal industry
strengthened today when President
Wilson paid visit to the federal trade
commission and went over with its
members estimates of coal production
costs and recommendations for deal
ing with the situation completed by
the commission last night. after
months of investigation Definite ac-
ton to reduce prices to the consumer
and to bring about better distribu-
ton, it was learned, will be taken ear
ly next week.
Before going to the trade commits
sion, the president called on Herbert
Hoover, named to administer the food
act, in which are provisions for con-
troll of coal. and Attorney General
Gregory and Judge Robert s. Lovett,
of the war industries board. who, it
is understood, will be given powers
invested in the executive In recent
law governing priority Of railroad
shipments. &
President Deeply Concerned.
The president is deeply concerned
over the coal situation. Even repre-
sentatives OF the operators admit that
parts -of the country face shortage
this winter, and from the public conn
plants sa1e pouring in that prices are
out s az ranaBn TIC fact shat sey
eral goverrors are threatening to take
over the industry in their states Is
prompting early federal action.
Three courses are open to the presi-
dent. Under the food bill he may fix
prices at the mines and to consumers,
or he may direct some government
agency to requisition the output of all
mines, selling it to the public. The
third course would contemplate a vol
untary agreement by operators to sell
at a fair price, with the government
directing distribution.
May Rcquisition All Coal.
Officials who have followed the sit
uation most closely believe the presi-
, dent will direct the requisitioning Of
all coal mined.
This, it is understood, is the recon-
mendation of the trade commission,
which has worked out plan of pro-
cedure. Under the food bill the gov.
ernment would control shipment, dis
tribution and apportionment.
The trade commission, it is under
stood, has worked out complete
plan for price fixing in the event the
president does not believe the situa-
ton requires communicating. This
program provides for government
operation of mines refusing to sell
their output at the prices fixed.
Would Form Districts.
The requisitioning plan would call
for division of the country into dis
tricts. Every operator would be paid
for his product on a basis of produc-
ton plus a derrnlrc percentage Of
profit. All the coal in a district
would be pooled and sold to the pub
lie at one price. although the prices
fixed for different districts might
vary considerably. Allowance would
be given operators for quantity pro-
duction and efficiency Of service. VI
No Uniform Prices.
Officials of the trade commission
say no scheme could be worked out.
either under a requisitloning sys-
tenn or a straight price fixing plan,
whereby it would be possible to pay
uniform prices for coas at all times.
Priority Of shipment Is recognized
as one of the biggest problems con-
fronting the government in any solu-
tion of the coal situation. Two laws
recently put on the statute books, Of
ficials believe, give the government
full power In that respect. They are |
the act empowering the president to
direct priority for certain shipments |
and the act giving the Interstate Com
merce commission power to direct the
movement Of cars.
Powers vested in the president by |
the priority act probably will be
turned over to Judge Lovett next |
week
An appeal to the government to
begin exercising Immediately its power
to direct shipments was made today
by the railroad war board, which in
a statement declared the coal situa-
tion in the northwest still is serious. |
Although there has been large in
crease In the movement Of coal, the
statement said, the direction in many |
instances has not been toward COM
munities that need it most.
Goes Up for Five Years.
Belleville, ILL.,, Aug. 1S.-S L. |
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