Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-08
OWNERS OF MINES.
CARRY COAL FIGHT.
TO GOV. LOWDEN
STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE ASK
THAT STATE SEIZE AND OPER-
ATE 779 MlNES-COAL BARONS
FEAR MOVE.

FEAR MOVE.
Representatives OF the Illinois Goal
Operators Association will call on
Governor Lowden in Springfield today
to start backiire against the suggcs-
ton of the State Council Of Defense
that the state seize and operate the
30 mines within its borders for the
duration of the war.
The delegation lett last night, after
arranging by long distance telephone
for an AUDIENCE.
News that the state council had com
mitted itself to seizure and had voted
to invite the councils of fifteen other
states to a coal conference reached
the operators camp with mysterious
speed.
If the mines are taken over it will
be by executive order of the Cover
nor, 50 the operators council of war
decided to enter immediate and Wig
orous protest quickly at the state
house.
Twice before they had been expect.
ed there, but failed to appear.
Now that the state council has
struck, following abortive negotiations
with the mine owners, they will rush
anon the Governor with the following
pleas and arguments;
That Levy Mayer, who wrote the
report recommending consideration of
seizure, is wrong in his assumption
that the constitution iustiies such a
course
That the state has no right to exact
/ terms in conflict with the bargain en-
tered in to by the operators with the
authorities at Washington when See
rotary Lane. Chairman Fort of the
/ Federal Trade Commission and Chair
man Peabody of the National Council's
Coal Committee fixed temporary
price of $3.50.
That the state, should it attempt t
operate the mines, would be embar
raised by existing contracts with in
terests in other states, made long since
at prices now below production costs
The publcc would gain nothing, as
state management would not resul
in the inceased production withou
which prices could not be reduced.
That if the state council and othc
influences would cooperate with tn
mine owners to increase production
and facilitate tho movement Of Goa
the price would come down automatic
ally
That the constitution Of the Unite
states lorbids joint action by state
Separate hut identical state action TO
lowing a Chicago conference. Woul
constitute what is known in law as
meeting of minds and violate III
principle of the antitrust law, unde
which individuals could not do tn
same thing
That the federal trade commission i
in constant touch with Illinois opera
tons. Some county associations SEN
duplicates Of their monthly reports f
the commission to the district attor
ncy and to the Department Of Justice
If the operators were padding thei
cost accounts the government eNamir
ers would know it,
All of the operators representation
have been discounted before Governo
Lowdcn, however, by members of tn
state council. One of the stronGog
cards held by the council is the fac
That some Of its members own Goa
mines and several are heavy purcha.
ers OF fuel
A fact not generally realized by tn
public is that Illinois is one of tn
greatest btuminous coal-producing to'
ritories in the world. Here are tn
figures:
Number Of mines. ....... II
Annual output. tons. Go,O0o,G0
Value of annual output at
mine ................S121 ,000, 0I
Number of men en-
pIoyed Observation-Disclosures. 105,0o
Counties producing coal g.. 3
Freight cars loaded in year 1,333,@3
Tons sold to railroads 49,. 100000