The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-25
COAL DICTATOR
. PROMISES TO GET
AFTER RETAILERS
VIII Not Kermit Them To
Rake OFF ExOrbitant
Profits.
EYE on RAILROADS TOO
Goal WM Not Be Hauled
Long Distances To
Market

All the machinery of the Govern
ment that has been committed to my
hands will be used to reduce the price
of coal to the consumer"
Emerging from a conference room
with his coat and vest off and his
sleeves rolled up, DR.. Harry A. Gar
field, the newly-appointed coal die
tator, made this emphatic announce
ment yesterday when he was informed
that certain retailers throughout the
United States had declared their In
tentions to keep coal prices at their
present nigh level, despite the cut in
cost to them.
This much you may be certain OF
coal prices are going to be lower
to the consumer" Dr.. Garfield added.
"As soon as l finish up my work as
member of the wheat price hxine
committee, l will be ready to put
into effect the authority given to at
tain that end"
These are the concrete plans which
DR.. Garfield already has definitely de-
cided he shall put into effect with
the least possible delay:
First-A fixed price that retailers
NAV charge the consumers for anthra>
cite as we'll as for bituminous coal.
Second-Eliminatio Of the present
practice OF of duplicating rail hauls
by selling Pennsylvania coal in lndi-
ana and Indiana coal IN Pennsylva-
mia.
Third-Cancellatlon OF contracts
for coal at higher prices than those
fixed by the Administration in accord
ance with the provisions Of the coal
and fuel bill.
Because of the seriousness Of the
amt lnCement that plans were being
made by mine operators, wholesalers,
jobbers and retailers to prevent the
intended saving on coal to consumers,
DR.. Garfield was called from his con-
ference with the experts on wheat
! prices to answer a number Of inquir-
les with reference to his plans,
"St Paul retailers" he was inform
ed, "have announced their intention
to keep right on selling coal at the
present price, which is around SO a
ton for soft coal They say they will
continue to do that as long as their
present contracts last, and they run
for six months more"
,"Well, they will ot-do nthat II
have my way about It," DR.. Garfield
replied,
Haven't you authority to meet that
situation" he was asked.
II think So" he answered. THE
Government is not going to allow its
purpose to be defeated by the setting
up Of contracts that cannot be justi-
fled. intend to scruntinize carefully
every contract"
when asked what he proposes to
do in case it is found that the retail
ers attempt to pocket the saving he
will make by reason Of the reduced
cost fixed for coal at the mouth OF
the mine, DR.. Garfield said: III l
find any one doing that will go AZ
ter him hard"
Attention was called to the fact
LQHL ulduy ESJdlloA0 d60OAb thSJ AN4SS
get profit Of 81 TO $3.50 ton on
coal because Of the long haul they
have from the tracks in cities to the
homes where the coal is used.
Excessive profits are not to be
given under the cloak Of long hauls
or any other guise," Dr.. Hatfield said.
I'VE intend to fix the prices that the
retailer may charge, Just as we have
fixed the price that the mine operator
and the jobber may have"
DR.. Garfield explained that the Gov
eminent has guarded against jobbers
pyramiding profits by allowing 2 large
number to handle the same shipments.
He called attention to the fact that
the Presidents proclamation allows
the jobber a profit Of only 20 cents
ton on anthracite, no matter wheth-
er one or 10 handle 1t. If 10 jobbers
handled the same shipment they
would only get on the average OF 2
cents a ton.