Bisbee daily review., 1917-09-06
Early Fitting Of
 Retail Prices Of
 Coal Is Promised
(By Review Leased Wire>.

w NAOI1l4>N O4>, sept .. -1>dily iIA' ing of retail coal prices was promised tonight by Dr. H. A. Garfield, the fuel administrator, in statement outlin- ing the governments coal control pol icy. Prices will be established for communities with the aid of local com mittees, into whose hands will be put responsibility for their enforcement. Maximum production of coal at prices fair both to the producer and consumer will be the aim of the gov ernment, Dr. Garfield declares. Pro ducers' prices already fixed will be revised where they force efficiently operated mines to produce at a loss. Operators seeking revision of the scale are asked to send in cost of pro- duction statistics covering a period Of years.
 The fuel administration, Dr. Gar field says. will seek the cooperation of operators, miners, distributors and consumers. Producers are asked, how ever, to name no committees until Dr. Garfield has adopted time to select his assistants and form his organiza- tiOn.
 The statement follows:
 "The task of the fuel administra- tion is to secure the largest possible productio nof fue lat prices just to the producers and reasonable to the con sumer
 "The coal situation is briefly this: The demand has vastly increased. It comes from factories and railroads, use is normal. Factories and railroads must be keep going and households must be kept warm and well fed, if the countr wis to be fit for its great task. In addition to meeting the sit uation at home, we must supply coal to our army and navy abroad and con- sider the needs of our neighbors, es- pecially Canada, Cuba and South Am erica and some of the allies whose supply is inadeuate.
 ''It is the purpose of the fuel admin istration to encourage production, to utilize as far as possible all existing agencies, to seek the advice of ex- perts, consumers. and of all who perform a useful service in the pro- duction and distribution of coal.
 Until further direction, the follow ing rulings will be observed:
 The presidents order fixing prices
  Tuesday evening, August 27, 1917; for anthracite coal. Saturday, Sept. 1. 1917. The presidents order includes export and bunker coal.
 "The prices fixed are provisional. They will stand unless changed by order of the president, for good cause shown. The fuel administration will examine all applications fo revision of prices accompanied by cost state ments presented in writing. These statements should be verified and co. yer at least the years 1915, 1916 and 1917 to date.
 q further explanation is needed the fue administration will ask con- plainants to appear in person.
 ''tI is not proposed to reuire eff ciently operated mines to produce coal at a loss. but the burden rests upon applicants to show that the prices fixed in particular cases are unfair.
 ''It will s realty expedite the work of the fuel administrator if associa- tions, whether of operators. miners or industries affected, would postpone the holding of meetings for the ap- pointment of committees to confer with the fuel administrator or for the purpose of taking action concerning prices and wages until he has had op- portunity to select his advisors and hear front hose who believe them selves likely to be adversely affected. Prompt attention will be given to all complaints.
 Plans are under consideration and which will be announced later that will permit the industry to continue without affecting adversely either the producer or the purchaser pending theeXamination of applications for re vision of prices. Until this plan IS