The circle banner., 1917-09-28
WILL FIX PRICES
Of MONTANA COAL
Or. GARFIELD WILL NAME BOARD
TO REGULATE SALE
IN STATE
NEWS OF THE CAPITAL CITY
s6lackers of Montana to Be Rounded Up
Soon-Gerard Prepares to Hunt
Elk in Mountains-Federal
Aid for Good Roads

Helena.-Word has been received
here from Washington that the fed
erai fuel administrator, DR.. Garfield,
WIFE shortly appoint a Montana repre-
sentative and a committee of citizens
TO act with him in assuming direction
of the regulation of the sale of coal
I'm Montana. 1t is stated no person
will be appointed who is connected
with the coal industry in the state.
The state representative, as soon as
appointed, will choose a committee of
citizens to represent the fuel admins
Iration in each county and in each city
having more than $500 population.
The state representative and the
state committee will be chosen directly
by the fuel administrator with the ap-
proval of the president. The county
committees and the city committees
will be chosen directly by the state
representative.
The state committee will at once as
certain the amount of coal in the state
available for use during the coming
winter and the amount of coal needed
TO meet any deficiency in the supply,
based on last years consumption.
1t will be the duty of the various
committees to ascertain and report to
the fuel administration, the reason
able retail margin, wiz, the cost of
local distribution and a reasonable
delers profit to be allowed) This
margin, when duly fixed by order, to-
gether with the cost at the mine named
by the president, the transportation
charge and the jobbers' commission,
when sold to jobber, will constitute
the price to the consumer. The fuel
administration will make public from
Its local committees in each cOmmu-
nifty sufficient data to enable the in
.dividual consumer to ascertain for
himself the established price.
These figures will be compiled with
relation to local needs in order that
the fuel administration may, if neces-
sary, apportion the supply of coal With
careful regard to existing needs.
No Increase in Coal Rate
BY a unanimous vote the Montana
railroad commission has decided that
the carriers operating in this state are
not entitled to an increase of 10 per
cent in their rates on COAL and the peti-
tion was accordingly denied.
The interstate commerce commiSs- |
sion some time ago granted like ap-
plication made by carriers for an in |
crease in coal rates on interstate traf- |
fic. At the hearing held before the |
commission it was intimated by coun-
o1 70. thn hot chO hn
fition be denied, proceedings would be
brought in the federal court to compel
Montana to fix state rates on the same
basis as interstate rates and whether
action along this line will be taken is
not known.
By a majority decision the railroad
commission has also denied the peti-
tion of the Montana, Wyoming and
Southern railroad, operating between
Bridger and Bearcreek, for permission
TO increase it's passenger rate from
three to four cents a mile. Commits
sioner Hall dissents. The commits
sion took the position that because of
the increased freight earnings of the
railroad-almost double those of last
year-the company does not need the
increased passenger revenue.
X
Gerard Will Hunt
James w. Gerard of New York, for
mer minister to Germany, who is now
residing on the DAILY ranch near Ham
jItOn, Montana, has taken out nom
resident hunting license, for which he
paid $50. 1t is understood he will go
into the Mountains for elk
X X 4
Federal Aid for Roads
Nine counties of Montana-Cascade,
Custer, Wibaux, Dawson, Madison, {
Flathead, Lincoln, Blaine and Hill {
have complied with federal require
ments and will receive a total of $134,- {
625 of federal funds, for road building /
The counties will expend an equal |
amount.
X X X
Higher Phone Rates
The state utility commission has
rendered a decision permitting the
Eureka Mutual Telephone company to
increase it's rates for business and
residence telephone service % cents
per telephone month. eve believe" q
states the commission, "after a reason n
able time and adjustment of condi- u
tions that new schedule should be e
developed on the basis of service rem r
dered to the individual subscribers and 7
the public
4 4
Much Money Paid for Surveys
The office of ]. Scott Harrison, as e
sistant supervisor of surveys for Mon +
-ana, handles great deal of business is
n connection with surveys. In his G
,ffice in the federal building, complet- is
I'd survey work is passed upon and 81
through the office all moneys due for Il