Evening star., 1917-09-06
PRICE ORDER SOON
ON COAL At RETAIL
Administrator Garfield at Work
on Program Affecting
the Consumer.
FAIRNESS TO ALL SOUGHT

FAIRNESS TO ALL SOUGHT
Hope for an early fixing of retail coal
prices is held out in statement by
DR.. II. A. Garfield, fuel administrator.
in which he outlines the governments
policy of coal control Prices in Vari-
Gus communities will be established
with the aid of local committees, and
these committees will be charged with
their enforcement.
The governments aim is defined as
maximum production of coal at prices
fair both to consumer and producer.
When prices fixed force efficiently op-
Grated mines to be worked at a loss
these prices will be increased Op-
orators seeking revision of price sched-
ules must send in cost production
statistics covering a period of years
The statement follows:
Coal Situation in Brief.
The task of the fuel administration
Is to secure the largest possible pro-
duction of fuel at prices just to the
producer and reasonable to the con-
sumner.
The coal situation is briefly this:
The demand has vastly increased. 1t
comes from factories and railroads. not
from domestic consumers. whose use is
normal. Factories and railroads must
be kept going and households must. be
kept warm and well fed. if the coun
try is to be fit for its great task. We
dare not forget that we are at war.
and that the cause we have at heart
depends. in large measure. upon abun-
dant production and wide distribution
of coal We must produce all we can
and distribute according to need. In
addition to meeting the situation at
home. we must supply coal to our Army
and Navy aboard, and consider the
needs of our neighbors. especially
Canada, Cuba and South America, and
some of the allies whose supply is in
adequate.
General Cooperation Asked.
1T is the purpose of the fuel admin
istration to encourage production, to
utilize. far as possible. all existing
agencies. to seek the advice of experts,
and the cooperation of operators and
miners of industrial and domestic con-
sumers. and of all who perform a use
full service in the production and dis
tribution of coal.
Until further direction, the following
ruling will be observed:
became effective for bituminous coal
Tuesday evening. August 81, 1917; for
anthracite coal Saturday, September l,
1917. The Presidents order includes ex-
port and bunker coal.
The prices fixed are provisional. They
will stand unless changed by order of
the President, for good cause shown.
The fuel administration will examine
all applications for revision of prices,
accompanied by cost statements pre-
sented in writing. These statements
should be verified and cover at least the
years 1915. 1916 and 1917 to date.
IF further explanation is needed the
fuel administration will ask complain
ants to appear in person
Not Asked to Suffer Losses.
1t is not proposed TO require efficient
ly operated mines to produce coal at a |
loss. but the burden rests upon appli !
cants to show that the prices fixed in
particular cases are unfair.
1T will greatly expedite the work of
the fuel administrator If associations.
whether of operators. miners or indus
tries affected. would postpone the hold
ing of meetings for the appointment of
committees to confer with the fuel ad-
ministrator. or for the purpose of TAX
ing action concerning prices and wages,
until he has had opportunity to select
his advisers and hear from those who
believe themselves fikely to be adverse
ly affected. Prompt attention Will be
given to all communications.
plans are under consideration and
will soon be announced whereby pro-
duction may continue without Affecting
adversely either the producer or the
purchaser pending the examination of
applications for revision of prices.
Until this plan is announced it is sug-
sested that sales and deliveries be
made at the prices fixed, with a stipu-
lation to the effect that if prices are
readjusted settlements shall be made
accordingly.
Plans for Local Committees.
For the purpose of determining
proper basis for sales by retail deal
ers. local committees will be organized
throughout the country. Each commit
tee viii investigate and report upon
the local situation and advise concern
ing the regulations to be Established.
When the price is fixed the local COM
Inittee will be asked TO Superlntend its
enforcement
The fue. administration is preparing
a plan OF apportionment which viii Sc
cure to domestic consumers their fair
share of the coal supply and at prices
which will reflect the prices heretofore
promulgated by the President.
Contracts relating TO bituminous
coal made before the proclamation of
ths President on August 81. and con-
tracts relating to anthracite coal made
before tae Presidents proclamation of
Angus. Is. a=e not affected by these
o.lamdtions. provided the contracts
are bona fde in character and are en-
force&ble at law.
The undersigned has requested the
federal trade commission to secure at
the earliest moment possible certified
copy of all contracts held TO come with
in the foregoing rule"
NO DnppYHr 0p cnTnrrno