Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-29
viii Range From 81 TO ,S5
a Ton to PubEc---B Be-
comes Effective on
July I.
IRx Associa,ea PreEs.1

WASHE.GTON. June 2s.-Sweeping
reductions in the price of bituminous
coal AT all mines cast Of the Mississippi
River, ranging from 81 to So ton, to
the public, with an additional cut Of
80 cents for the government. were
agreed upon to-day at conferences be-
tween the operators and government
officials. The new prices become efec-
tive on July !.
Four hundred operators who gathered
here yesterday AT call from Secre-
tary Lane pledged themselves to fur
nish their product by committees for
each field. Earlier in the day they had
I agreed to place the price fixing in the
hands of the government. through the
Defense Councils coal production
board. Secretary Lane and Commits
sioner Fort of the Federal Trade Com
mission. thus avoiding the possibility
of violating the antitrust laws.
Director Smith. OF. the Geological
Survey, estimated that the reduced
prices would mean that the o>i,er:itOrs
would get slsO.0Oo,o0o less annually
for their output, and that the saving
to the government and TO the coal-con-
suming public would be even greater.
In addition TO placing prices upon
coal at the mines. 1t was announced
| that jobbers, brokers, retailers and
commission men would be permitted
to charge commissions of not more
than % cents a ton, and that no more
than one commission should be charged.
In other words, the consumer will get
his coal at the mine price. plus trans
portation charges and % cents per ton.
ACTION on ANTHRACITE
POSTPONED UNTIL LATER
The agreement does not affect an
thracite. and the coal production com
mittee announced tonight that action
on ihat problem had been postponed
until after July by agreement with
the operators. The anthracite pro-
ducers have indicated willingness to
meet the government in the same spirit
manifested by the bituminous men.
In the final conferences. trade Sc
crets between competitors. cost prices
and other confidential information was
laid on the table. and the government.
acting as Judge. decided what would
be the highest prices paid at mines.
prices to go into effect on July !. TO
stay in effect until Investigations are
made and other changes ordered.
Representatives from various States
were asked 10 quote the minimum
price at which they could furnish coal.
The Clearfield district, Of Pennsylvania.
agreed TO .cut it's price for coal as 1t
was loaded at the mouth of the mine
from 1925 TO SO, with $3.50 for lump
sizes. Tennessee came down from
$3.50 TO Sc: Virginia did likewise.
West Virginia reduced the current cen
tract price of $3.50 to So. and Illinois
and Indiana reduced their prices TO
ra ho i'm
Alabama, which mines under difficult
conditions, wiki special expenses. re-
duced its price from $3.50 to IS. at the
lowest, and 81 at the highest Mary
Land lowered its estimate from s5.75
to the standard figure. So and $3.50.
All the remaining districts east Of
Illinois that were represented also
agreed to the new figures, except one
or two with SPECIAL conditions, which
were deferred for further considera-
ton.
HEARTY COOPERATION
GIVEN BY OPERATORS
The figures met the entire approval
OF Chairman Peabody. of the Defense
Councils committee, Secretary Lane
and Commissioner Fort. In several in
stances they discussed frankly the sit
uation in certain districts with tho
representatives from those districts.
while asking for lower figures and in
each instance they met the hearty CO.
operation of the operators. The prices
do not apply to coal for export or for
bunkers. and of course. do not affect
contracts, or sales made before July /.
AS the conferences were closing Sec
retary Lane paid tribute to the op-
orators for their manner of respond
ing to the call upon them
This is distinctly novel proceed
ing" he said You are pioneers In a
good move. We ioo:s back with re-
spect and admiration upon those who
crossed the hard and stony and water
less places and picked out the richer
spots beyond. j hope that you will
be looked upon not only by those who
succeed You In the coal business. but
SPECIAL NOTICE!
e. & q. SUNDAY OlITERS.