The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-06-20
SHORTAGE is
PARALYZING
ALL BUSINESS
Trade Commission
Presents Its Remedy to
Congress
CAR SHORTAGE rs
CHIEFLY TO BLAME
Would Pool Both Produc-
ton and Distribution
of Fuel
lBy Associated Press.)

Washington, June 90
Government pools of coal
production and distribution
and of rail and water trans
portation were recommend
ed to congress today by the
federal trade commission as
the only means of avoiding a
disastrous coal shortage
next winter.
"The commission be-
ieves," says the report sub
mitted after many months of
investigation, ordered by
congress, "that the coal in
dustry is paralyzing the in
dustries of the country and
that the coal business is
paralyzed by the failure Of
transportation. There are
enough coal cars in the coun-
try but, not enough are NOV
ed to the mines. Nor are
they promptly discharged
when brought away. In
view of this we recommend:
"First, that the production
and distribution OF cdn and
coke be conducted through'a
pool in the hands of a gov
ernment agency; that the
producers of various grades
of fuel be paid their full
cost of production plus q
uniform profit per ton.
"Second, that the trans
portation agencies of tho
United States, both rail and
water, be similarly pooled
and operated on government
account and under the di-
rection of the president and
that all such means of
transportation be operat-
ed as a unit, the own
ing corporations to be paid a
Just and fair compensation
which covers normal net
profit, upkeep. and better
ment. +"
These recommendations
are approved by the commits
sioners, Davies, Colver, and
Fort. Chairman Harris dis
sents on the plan for trans
portation pool except as a
last resort.
Urgent Necessity.
"An urgent necessity exists for inn
mediate legislation to correct condi-
tions," says the report, because the
usual spring and summer accumula-
ton OF coal stocks. at points distant
from producing points is not now TAX
ng place but 1t must be made during
what remains of the summer unless
he country is to face next winter q
serious and irreparable condition.
Contributing factors in the uisor-
zanization of transportation are the
high ocean barge rates and the prac-
tice of the Great Lakes ships to make
trips to the northwest in water ballast
rather than carry coal.
Discussing the proposed remedy the
commission says:
'If the producer at each mine were
paid his full cost of production with
allowance for all usual items and to
his were added a uniform net profit
per ton the coal thus produced at
widely varying costs II pooled could
be sold through the government at an
average and uniform price, quality.
which would be entirely
.olerable to the consuming public and
at q. price much lower than could be
liked If an effort were made to fx
lniform price to the producer"
ut would seem that steady employ
nent, fair compensation to labor and
,apital, equitable distribution and
stable prices could be secured.
"The railroads OF the country Il
operated as q unit and on government
lccount could be used to transport
soaI and other products by the most
iirect route to their points Of destina-
ion and the efficiency Of the roads
existing rolling stock and
motive power, would De vastly m
creased"