Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-31
FIXING OF VALUES WHICH DO
NOT STICK POPULAR INDOOR
SPORT THIS WINTER
QUESTION BADLY MUpDLED
DOWN At DIES MONIES
Latest Order From Washington Says
New Price Of $5.75 Per Ton Applies
to Fuel Shipped in From Outside
Mines and Not to Local Minss-op.
orators Refuse to Accept Figures.
to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 31-Fixing an "of-
f1ciar price for coal seems to be the
principal indoor sport in these parts
this winter,
1t appears, however that no prices
stay fixed except those agreeable to the
operators and dealers themselvs and a
series Of advances In price has taken
place instead OF reductions which the
coal suffering public had hoped for.
Coal dealers have been granted 1915
per ton by the fuel administration at
Washington for coal delivered in Des
Moines when they were only asking
committee, headed by Mayor John Nc
Vicar, had fixed 1t at $5.15. The coal
men fought this price locally and ap-
pealed to State Fuel administrator
Webster. He sent their appeal on to
Washington and they sent it back to
him saying he had full authority to
act He then appointed Clyde L. Her
ring, of Des Moines, as local fuel ar
bitter to settle the local price. Herring
demurred about accepting the respons-
Utility and along came another tele-
gram from Washington telling Fuel
Commissioner Webster to fix the price
and stay by it. He accordingly con-
firn1ed the price at $5!15 per ton. The
local fuel men at first refused to de-
liver at this price. They held a meet
ing, started their attorney to Washing
ton, and then began delivering coal at
the old price Of $3.50, telling the pur-
chasers, or giving them some sort OF
a rebate slip to show, that they would
be entitled to a rebate Of IS cents per
ton il Washington confirmed the price.
Another Boost.
The next word received was Friday
to the effect that not only had the price
of $5.15 been ignored but a new price
of $5.75 had been fixed for coal deltv-
cred and dealers and operators prompt
ly proceeded to put that price into ef-
feet
The mines in this vicinity further re-
fuse to sell coal at the mine mouth.
They either handle their mine output
thru dealers or sell It direct to con.
sunerse, thus enjoying all intermediate
profits, One local company which had
been selling at the mouth Of the mine
at prices in advance OF those fixed oy
the government was fined and it was
reported the fine would cost it $4,000
or more, but according to latest reports
the company is still engaged in an ef-
fort to secure remission Of this order
with prospects Of success.
The kilograms received here the past
few days are more or less confusing
and conflicting as to prices and the end
Is not yet.
Says Boost 10 Not Local.
According to the fuel administration
in Washington the retail price Of coal
delivered by wagon from Des Moines
mines Is not affected by the ruling OF
Thursday fixing 1915 as the retail price
OF coal shipped into Des Moines.
This also is the understanding OF
Charles webster, state fuel admins
traitor.
Mr.. Webster was at his home at
Waucoma Saturday night and this tele-
gram received from Washington was
read to him over the phone:
washington, Dec. 29.-At the office
Of Fuel Administrator Garfield today,
1t was stated that the Des Moines coal
price controversy was regarded as
settled so far as this end Of the line Is
concerned, the fuel administration hav-
ing wired instructions to State Admin
istrator Webster that $5.75 per ton is
to be the retail price at the yards in
Des Moines for coal transported into
the city from a distance. The price