New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-25
VIII Fix Schedules of Prof
;,.To Be Allowed Re
tailers, He Says
To Inspect Contracts
n..Iers Attempting Trickery
Will Be Eliminated; Ad-
ministrator Asserts

A Garfield, appointed ~ 1N'
-...srday as Coal Administrator, TO-
~ announced that he would imme-
r...,v take steps 20 reduce the price
- anthracite coal 20 the consumer.
~. licensing system 20 be applied 10
-;rs owners and jobbers may be ex-
,,r5ed 70 retailers. Dr. Garfield stated.
The Federal Trade Commission, ne
s,,d. is already preparing schedule
- nro6ts which the government will
,.-1,it retailers 70 make This SEIZED
30 which will vary for different sec
,iors Of the country, on account Of con-
3;.iors. after being approved by the
President and the coal administration,
~ Garfield said, will be enforced with
firm hand.
It is impossible TO predict Just how
much Of a reduction in prices the gov
,rnment's coal control programme will
hiring. DR.. Garfield said, but it is fairly
certain that the reduction in the price
~ botb anthracite and bituminous coal
will be considerable. In the anthracite
,.tal trade, he believes overhead
charges can be reduced appreciably,
With a resultant benefit 70 the con-
sumer.
Contracts To Be Scrutinized
It was made plain by the coal ad-
nipistration that the closest scrutiny
would be made Of all existing coal con-
tracts and these negotiated before Sep
tsmber 1. when the Presidents price
fixing order becomes effective. Any
attempt TO thwart the governments
fuel control programme through fake
sales will mean that the dealers guilty
will be eliminated from the trade, it
was stated.
Il is probable. It was said, that Dr..
Garfield will organize governmental
machinery 10 take over the entire coal
output, so that in the event any one
uns or group Of mines fails TO abide
BY the Presidents regulations the
coal administration will be able to pro-
seS against them.
The labor phases OF the coal situa-
ton are considered potential danger
spcts. Il was pointed out that If oper-
ators declined to pay current wages
under the new prices serious labor dis
turbances might result. An effort viii
be made 70 meet this possibility
through the negotiation Of voluntary
Agreements between the operators and
miners.
Replying 70 dealers who predicted
TIA, the action of the President IN flX'
Ing prices at the mire and regulating
jobbers would not bring about any APP
p-seiable benefit to the public, DR.. Gar
field said:
alf there is any one who thinks that
the effort for reduction in prices is TO
b,Hni,e5 10 the operator and jobber he
Is very much mistaken. l believe that
considerable reduction TO the con-
uner can be made without undue
ardship 20 the industry, and I shall
i,s. very much disappointed in my work
= nat end is not accomplished.
Must Meet Conditions
Y. must adjust ourselves TO the
s.si,ions faced. and reductions effect
Cd must extend all the way from the
r1s % the household.
q believe this can be done without
100 great hardship 20 any operator JOB
Der OF dealer, with the possible excep-
tior Of those who are inefficient. In an
emergency like this inefhclency cannot
rope 20 stand in the way OF the cOuh-
tEy's welfare.
The coal administration as the agent
q the government will no; hesitate 70
axe drastic action II that IS eohslu-
cred necessary. One thing IS CERTAIN
thsrs will be no weakening OF pohcy IN
re general campaign 20 accomplish tne
general relief demanded. Every possible
'.n.dy in the food control Dill Will De
studied carefully and We will De reaoy
q put anv one OF them which IS ap-
Sezbls 70 The situation IN force.
i believe" he continued. tnaI the
* dealers and the erncIent httle aeal-
- vi. be able 20 meet the conclI4onS
nd rselize a fair profit on their invest SlI5
asuts. These dealers Will be suppIiec
vth the coal they need az the PrlSc,e;
Eaieh the government believes WI;
nate Il possible FOR them 20 meet al
1neitions imposed.
The public, ! an firmly convinced
IN get its coal at the scale thus
sEsd. The consumer will know the price
ssd naturally will 20 for mis- coal 70
ssalsrs Who have the supply and are
Wiling 70 sell al the figures thus es-
,ashsaed7