The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-26
SENATE TO LOOK
INTO COAL BINS
Continued from page ID

an Increase of sixteen per cent said
Garfield.
m.1le increased production Of btu
l'minous coal is fifty million tons but
this is only half enough. Munitions
factories in southern New England
are being greatly hampered by a
shortage Of fbituminous coal"
THE anthracite coal situation Is
fairly good now Garfield said.
"How nave you tried to increase
production? ?" asked Senator Kenyon.
by placing the emphasis on pro-
duction, not price" replied Garfield.
DO you believe the operators have
made big profits by this campaign"
asked Kenyon, who in Chairman
Reeds absence questioned Garfield.
Il hardly see how to stimulate pro-
duction without allowing these
profits" the fuel administration head
replied.
Increases above the presidents
fixed coal prices have been granted
fortyAone operators by the fuel admin
i~stration to stimulate production, Gar
field said.
These are mostly small mines,
mines which would not be allowed to
operate without the increased price,"
he explained.
IL suppose you have placed the
governments interests first" said
Kenyon.
I'm this severe weather 1 have con-
Isidered the consumer first, for with a
dissatisfied people the government
can accomplish nothing" vas Gar
fields reply.
spriNnc oro ~,,,ol I3r6N- ALt, 49,
than last" Garfield admitted, but said
they are more stabilized.
DO you think you have the situa-
ton well in hand now" asked Ken
yon.
Il can't guarantee that there will
be no suffering" said Garfield.
He placed much of the blame for
the coal famine on the railroads and
said the recent billiards have accen-
tlated the rail tie up. The greatest
coal congestion, Garfield said, were
at the Bottle Neck" points OF Pitts
burgh, Cincinnati, Toledo and Albany.
Coal constitutes one-half of the
freight" he said, land when we in
crease it we increase railroads diff
culties. The transportation system
is what 1t is now because of our policy
OF preserving competition so rail-
roads cannot easily be put together.
1t Is now as necessary to operate
the railways as one system as to cen
tralize the people in armies and
~navies."
Many coal operators have taken ad-
vantage OF wal times and Ire making
much greater profits now than before
the war was declared, Fuel Admins
traitor Garfield admitted under ques-
tioning by Senators Jones and Varda-
man.
Il can see no patriotism in She man
who insists on making more than q
normal profit now" said vardaman-
You are not relying on patriotism,
eue ufsfrcrPrfUes TO Increase prUuuC:
ton. and the consumer must pay the
Dill, isn't that correct?' asked Jones.
YES" admitted Garfield.
DC any men with coal interests
have anything to do with fixing
prices?" asked Kenyon.
Eyes, in a way" Garfield replied.
What have you done in answer to
relieving the coal famine?" inquired
Kenyon.
Il am issuing priority orders to re,
lieve suffering and sending coal where
it is needed most, regardless of where
it is consigned" the witness said.
Garfield said he was planning TIC
swap operators contracts so that for
instance, Illinois mines will sell much
of their coal in the west and not shil
it east. while West Virginia mines will,
send their coal closer to their plants
If necessary. Garfield said, he woulG
lift" the contracts.
Our present plan." he said, "is t.
divide the country into twenty Goa
districts and place a representative
fuel administration in each district tc
oversee distribution"
Cutting Red Tape.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Presiden,
Wilson Is moving further to co-ordi
nate the al government. Steps al
ready have been taken to eliminate
government red tape.
Secretary Bakers creation of a "wal
council is expected to supplant much
Of the national defense council.
establishment Of an ammunition's
chief to supervise purchase and dis
tribution of guns, munitions. food and
clothing for the army will probably alb
sorb the work now done by the mum
tons board, placing over it executive
authority now lacking. officials say.
Colonel House, chairman Of the
American commission to the recent al
lied conference in France, is here con
ferring with the president today. II
is understood his visit is connected
with government plans n simplify its
working organization further after pat
terms learned from experience by Eng.
land and France.
Congress will doubtlessly demand a
readjustment in the war department
but Secretary Baker is expected to &C
complish much Of this even before the
military probe committee reports.
Meet Trust Probe.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The FEEDER
al trade commission investigation OF