New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-21
Control Of Mines and Trans
portation Lines Necessary,
Says Board
Industry Paralyzed
By Lack Of Cars
u. S. Advised to Distribute
Output with Uniform
Profit to Producers

Washington, June 20.-Government
pools of coal production and distribu-
ton and of rail and water transporta-
ton were recommended TO Congress to-
day by the Federal Trade Commission
as the only means Of avoiding a dis
astrous coal shortage next winter.
"The commission believes" says the
report. submitted after many months Of
investigation ordered by Congress,
that the coal industry is paralyzing
the industries of the country, and that
the coal industry itself is paralyzed by
the failure of transportation. There
are enough coal cars in the country
but not enough are delivered to the
mines, and these cars are not moved to
the point of consumption with the
greatest expedition, nor are they
promptly discharged
Uniform Profit Planned
In view Of these conditions, the COM
mission recommends:
"First-That the production and dis
tribution of coal and coke be conducted
through a pool in the hands of gov
eminent agency; that the producers OF
various grades of fuel be paid their
full cost of production, plus uniform
profit per ton with due allowance Tor
oualitv of product and efficiency of
service; and
"Second-That the transportation
agencies of the United States, both rail
and water, be similarly pooled and
operated on government account, under
the direction of the President, and that
all such means of transportation De
operated as a unit, the controlling cor
porations being paid just and fair
compensation which would cover nor
nal net profit, upkeep and better
ments.'
These recommendation are approved
by Commissioners Davies. Colver and
Fort Chairman Harris dissents on the
plan for a transportation pool, except as
a last resort, and suggests instead that
during the war the President be au-
thorized to order rail and water trans
portation agencies TO give preference to
shipment Of coal. coke and other COM
modities in the order of their impor-
lance TO the public welfare"
An urgent necessity exists for i'm
mediate legislation to correct condi-
tions, says the report, because the
usual spring and summer accumulation
of coal stocks at points distant from
producing districts ais not now taking
place, but it must be made during what
remains of the summer unless the
country is to face next winter a most
serious and an irreparable situation
Big Shortage in Soft Coal
Present production of bituminous, or
soft. coal is 40 per cent under the
possible maximum, principally because
of coal car shortage. the report de-
clares. Consequently The extra large
production Of anthracite coal this
spring. one-fourth greater than usual,
has been diverted 10 industrial mar
kets ordinarily filed by bituminous coal
and coke.
"Anthracite mines have been given
ample supply" the commission OBJ
serves. "by reason of the close corpo
rate relation between rail transporta-
tion and anthracite production" Btu
minous mines, however, are compelled
bv the car shortage TO operate only
part time, and many miners are going
into other work.
Contributing factors in the disorgani-
cation Of coal transportation are the
high barge rates from New York and
Newport News TO Boston, and the prac-
tice of lake 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
pad his full cost OF production, with
allowances for depletion, maintenance,
upkeep and all the usual items. and to