Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-16
ADMINISTRATOR AFTER
GREEDY COAL DEALERS
Will Ask Denial of Transportation
for Those Who Charge Poor
Too Much.
LOCAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED
LOCAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED
Blair, Leigh, Reed and Price Chosen
to Aid in Remedying Fuel Situa-
ton in Richmond Lightles
Nights Begin Tonight.

Following ereporta that certain coal
dealers OF Richmond were charging
OF the rate OF $40 per. short ton for
coal delivered to poor people who
cannot afford to purchase more than
loo pounds at time. Federal Fuel
Administrator Harry Flood Byrd yes
to-day announced that he would take
steps to deny shipment Of further stock
TO such dealers. This announcement
was simultaneous with that Of the ap-
pointment OF A. Beirne Blair (chair-
rnan). Il. C. Leigh, Jr., William r. Reed
ana James II. Price as the Richmond
fuel committee.
The committee is to aid Administra-
tor Byrd in alleviating the distress in
cident to tuel shortage here and to
cooperate with him in searching for
evidence against those alleged to be
charging exorbitant prices. The com
mittee will hold its first meeting on
Wednesday. when it will perfect or
fanization and begin Its duties.
The first matter to be brought be-
fore the committee will be the charges
against local coal dealers OF these
charges. Mr.. Byrd says:
1t has been brought to my atten-
ton that one or two small retailers
OF Richmond are charging 81 per 100
pouhos for coal to poor people who
cannot purchase In large quantities.
l nave obtained the names OF par
ties who will testify to this effect and
iull information will be reuorted to
the Richmond fuel commission when
organized.
WILL ASK RAILROADS
TO REFUSE DELIVERY
desire to state that II any re-
tailer continues TO exact cNorbitant
prohts and take advantage Of the cS-
'stins situation. orders will be issued
10 the railroads to prohibit the re-
ceipt of coal by such retailer. Such
matters will be under the cont-ol o,
the Richmond commission, who will
investigate the local situation and
make such rules and regulations as
may be deemed advisable and ncces-
sary 20 effect an equitable distribution
OF coal at rca sonablc prices ] am very
slad to say. however. that. with the
exception or complai int against one or
Two retail dealers. the retail coal denI.
ers in Richmond are patrlotically CO.
operating with the administration and
are conducting their business ne in
normal times. | am convinced +bat
the majority of retailers will apnrove
or exposing the one or two dealers who
are endea voring TO take advantasc 10
the existing shortage"
AS an evidence OF the gravity ~
the coal situation throughout tho en-
TIRE country. Mr.. Byrd Is in recent
or telegram from the national nd
containing an order which
VIII make 1t necessary for all electric
signs OF every kind to be discontinued
absolutely and completely on every
and Sunday night. beginning
o-day. The order is as follows:
Order OF fuel administrator t,,,;,,
effect December l5, cancels prescnt
order regulating time advertising signs
snail be lighted, In its place. all signs
or every kind. including merchants
signs. theater signs. also display light
ing on buildings and, elsewhere. hotel
signs and advertising signs are or.
dered discontinued completely nm
Thursday and Sunday nights OF each
week
"on these same nights stores not |
open for business must not show In. |
side lights more than are necessary
for safety. and municipalities with c,us.
Continued on Page EIeven)
Trucks--D-E Worm Drive. Immcd-
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