Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-06-28
81 TO $3.50
ATONL0WER
SLASH
Immediate Reduction in the
Mine Rate to BE Fol
lowed by Still More.

Washington, June Is
An immediate general re-
duction of 81 to $50 a
ton in the price of coal at
the mine was agreed upon
here today by representa-
tives of the coal operators.
This reduction is expect
ed to be followed by still
further decreases in price
after investigation into the
costs Of mining coal and it
is probable that the gov
eminent will be given a
still lower price than that
to the general public. Hun
dreds of millions Of dol
lars will be saved to the
American people through
this decision.
The 100 operators agreed to im-
mediate reduction at a meeting
here today after adopting n resOa
luton by which coal prices would
be fixed with the aid and approval
OF the secretary Of the interior.
the federal trade commission and
the committee on coal production
OF the national defense council
s.l.4s m rUn Nrp %~-~ - o@wT
mined tn this country last year and
Secretary Lane, who has earnestly
urged a reduction. believes that the
saving to the American people viii be
enormous.
After hearing Of the operators de-
cision ne wrote a letter to r. S. Pea
body, chairman of the coal produc-
ton committee commencing the coal
men for their action and asking that
the spirit of the resolution immed-
lately be put into effect.
Pass "Buck7 to Government.
The resolution giving assent" to
fixing of maximum prices was re
ported by former Governor Fort
from a special committee. He said
he believed the resolution was entirely
safe for the conference TO adopt and
that any esponsibility as TO the legal.
ity of the fixing Of the prices was put
ON the government, and not on the
operators. under the terms OF the
resolution.
The resolution after pointing out
that "A great national emergency now
exists in the nation fuel supply, and
that the coal operators and miners de-
sire 70 closely cooperate with thC
reads
Text of Resolution.
Resolved. that it is the sense o.
this meeting that a committee Of sever
for eaeh coal producing state and az
additional committee Of seven, ap-
pointed by the representatives Of thu
anthracite industry. he appointed b5
the representatives Of each state nov
this convention 70 confer
with the secretary Of the interior. the
federal trade commission and tht
committee on coal production OF the
council of national defense, TO the enc
that production be stimulated anC
plans be perfected TO provide adequate
means Of distribution and finally tina
these committees report forthwith &
the secretary OF the interior. the fed
eraI trade commission and the com
mittee on coal production Of the couu
ell of national defense. costs Of anC
conditions surrounding the pr0d@ ctiol
and distribution of coal in each dis
trict, and that these committees arr
iH their discretion, 70 Civ,
assent to such maximum prices, TO
coal T. o B. cars ar mines in the var
ious districts as may be named b,
the secretary Of the interior the fed
eral trade commission and the com
mittee OF coal production Of the coun
eli Of national defense"
Is Unanimously Adopted.
The resolution was unanimousl-
adopted II was a revision Of a for
mar resolution recalled because o
fear that question might be raised a
TO the legality Of the operators agree
ing upon price even though at tn
instance Of the government, Attorne.
General Gregory having sent wort
Continued on Page Eleven.)