Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-06-20
U.S.. CONTROL OF
COAL IS URGED
BY TRADE BOARD
Disastrous Shortage of Fuel
Feared by Federal
Commission
WANT CONGRESS TO ACT
Plan to Give Operators Fair
Profit and Consumers
Reasonable Price
WANT CONGRESS TO ACT
By Associated Press

Washington, June 2O.-Government
pools of coal production and distri-
button and of rail and water trans
portation were recommended to Con-
gress to-day by the Federal Trade
Commission as the only means of
avoiding a disastrous 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 the
ccal industry itself is paralyzed by
the failure of transportation. There
are enough coalcars 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"
In view OF these conditions. the
commission recommends:
First: That the production and dis
tribution of coal and coke be con-
Quoted through a pool in the hands
of a government agency; that the
producers of various grades or fuel
be paid their full cost of production
plus uniform profit per ton twith
and efficiency of service) and.
Pool Facilities
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 transport
tation be operated as unit. the own
ing corporations being paid just and
fair compensation which would. cover
normal net profit, upkeep and bet
terments."
These recommendations are ap~
proved by Commissioners Davies. Col
yer and Fort. Chairman Harris dis
sents on the plan for transportation
pool, except as a last resort, and sug-
gests instead that during the war the
President be authorized to order rail
and water transportation agencies to
give preference to shipment of coal.
coke and other commodities in the or
der of their Importance to the pubic
welfare"
An urgent necessity exists for inn
mediate legislation to correct condi-
tions, says the report. because the
usual spring and summer accumula-
tion of coal stocks at points distant
from producing districts lis 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 irrepa-
rable situation"
UnderprOductIOn
Present production of bituminous
coal is forty per cent. under the pos
sible maximum. principally because
of coalcar shortage. the report de-
clares. Consequently, the extra large
production of anthracite coal this
spring. one-fourth greater than usual.
has been diverted to industrial mar
kets ordinarily filled by bituminous
coal and coke. Anthracite mines have
been given ample car supply. the
commission observes, by reason of
the close corporate relation between
raid transportation and anthracite
production" Bituminous mines. how
ever, are compelled by the car short
age to operate only part time and
many miners are going into other
work.
Attention is called to the fact that
Great Britain, France, Russia. Italy
and Germany have found it necessary
during the war to take over control
of their coal industries in varying de-
grees.
The commission will continue its
investigation.