Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-27
PROBE INTO COAL PRICES
APPEARS IN PROSPECT
Margin OF Profits Allowed by Gov
ernment Exceeded, Fuel Ad-
ministrator Hears,
RECEIVES MANY COMPLAINTS
|iolators of Law, Which Provides
Heavy Penalties, to BE Prosecuted
Promptly Under Direction OF De-
partment OF Justice.
tBv Associptcn Press. !


WASHINGTON. October oG-A gem
efai investigation into the retail and
Wholesale prices OF coal throughout the
country appeared to be in prospect to-
night
In minor way. investigation OF
prices consumers assert they have been
compelled to pay already has been
started by the Department of Justice
III various sections of the East and
Middle West, both as to anthracite and
hituminous coal.
instructions have been sent to United
states attorneys conducting these local
Investigations to summon witnesses
determine the truth OF the charges and
where justified. to bring promptly pro-
cecdinSs under the criminal law against
those believed to be guilty The result
OF the inquiries so far has not been
reported.
These Instructions were based upon
complaints received by the department
here TO the effect that the margin OF
profit allowed dealers by the govern
mrnt had been exceeded
Measured by the great volume OF
complaints received by the fuel admin
isiraiion. the instances under investi-
CATION by the Department OF Jus
tee are comparatively inconseuucntial
hundreds Of letters and kilograms from
every section of the country. il is un-
dcrStood. have been sent to the fuel
administration.
May TURN OVER COMPLAINTS
10 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Disposition OF these complaints is one
OF the subjects now pressing. the fuel
administration. II is understood. and
action concerning them probably will
be taken i,hin few days. Indicu-
t:ons are that the bulk Of the COM
plants. upon which criminal proceed
ingS might be brought--if the truth OF
the charges can be established I've
turned over TO the Department of Jus.
ticc, with the suggestion that violaiors
OF the law be prosecuted promptly.
Heavy penalties are provided for
violation Of the law under which the
President fixed the price to be charged
for coal and margins allowed jobbers
and dealers. Niolators may be pun
ishcd ny Il fine Of not more than $1,000
or imprisonment of not more than two
years. or both.
Each independent transaction ConSti
tutcs separate offense Coupled with
the complaints charging that higher
prices than those authorized have been
demanded and obtained are numerous
protests from persons and firms alleg
ing that they have been unable to buy
coal At any price. With these. it is
thought. the government has little
power to deal, except in cases where
the coal operators themselves refused
10 sell coal which had not been con-
tractcd for previously.
HOME CONSUMERS
HARD HIT BY SCARCITY
Most OF the latter complaints. ii is
understood come from purchasers for
household consumption. who have been
hard hit by the scarcity OF coal in
various localities.
The belief prevails among officials
that coal dealers by the thousands have
carried out. and are carrying out. the
governments policy to the letter.
Niolaiors of the law, if any, il Is
thought. arc the small minority who
have been tempted to take advantage
Continued on Second PaEe)