Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-21
Judge Louett Orders
Priority Shipments
Of Coal to Lake Pons
Under Direction of Presi-
dent, Takes Step to Re-
ieue Congestion in
Middle West.

WASHINGTON, August 2o-Judge
Robert S. Lovett, formerly head of the
Union Pacific. and member OF the var
industries board. took direct control of
coal situation In the United States to-
day. by direction of President Will
cised the authority given under the
priority bill to issue an order 10 re-
lieve the congestion OF coal in the Mid
die west.
Judge Lovetts order was issued after
long conference with the President
Before talking with Judge Loyett. the
President discussed the situation for
more than three-quarters Of an hour
with the members of the Federal Trade
Commission. He went over all the fig
ures gathered on coal production. ship
ments and prices 1t Is Understood that
Judge Lovett will have absolute power
In the coal situation. and that at least
one other man will be named by Pres
ident Wilson to assist In fixing prices
and regulating production.
The order issued to-day is intended
TO relieve the situation in the Middle
west. where the prospect Of serious
shortage was imminent. There y only
short time left before navigation
on the Great Lakes will close. and i'm
mediate action was necessary.
ORDERS GO TO COMPANIES
SERVING LAKE ERIE PORTS
The initial order. after recitinE the
authority conferred upon the Pr.,.dent
by the act to amend the act to r.gu-
August 10. reads:
First now. therefore. by reason of
the premises. the Undersigned in the
name OF the President. orders an di-
rccts that the railroad .ompanies serv-
Ing Lake Erie ports in the transport :
ton Of bitumnous coal for transship-
ment by vessel TO ports On LAX Su-
perior and Lake Michigan. shall, and
they are hereby directed. until further
order. daily TO give preference and
priority In the distribution OF coal
cars in the coal mines, served by them,
and transport same. SO that bitum inous
coal for transshipment'e easssaforesafd
by lake shall have preference and
priority in transportation.
Second. 1t Is further ordered that all
common carriers by water engaged in
| shipment OF lake bituminous coal, as
aforesaid. shall. and they are hereby
directed until further order to, accept
and receive all cargoes OF such coal
rendered to them for shipment. as
aforesaid. and to so load. transport and
deliver the same 1t shall have prefer
ence and priority in transportation"
DETAILS OF FIXING PRICES
TO DE IN OTHER HANDS
1t was pointed out to-day that with
the priority law AS a weapon. Judge
Lovett. without other authority. may
decide to be just and proper. Because
Of the great amount OF work in king
priority of shipment of other commo-
dities. however. II is stated that tho
details OF increasing production and
fixing prices will be left in other
hands.
President Wilson's keen interest In
the situation and his urgent demand
for haste were demonstrated by his con-
ferences to-day. 1t is understood that
he communicated with the Interstate
Commerce Commission and got figures
on car movements. then paid his visit
to the Federal Trade Commission.
David Wing. the government coal ex-
pert. was present at the conference.
ana went over n8ures with the Presi
dent. No announcement was made. al
though 1t was learned that the SO
figure. fixed by the Navy Department,
is considered too high.
With the situation in the Middle
West taken care of. the President is
expected to name a tentative price,
and appoint the man or men who will
have charge of stimulating product.
The President Is understood to have
made up his mind that no arbitrary
steps should be taken that would work
hardships on producers. In order to
avoid this a cost Of production, plus
reasonable profit price. will have to
be fixed. 1t Is possible that a COM
mittee. similar to the wheat commits
sion of the food administration. will
be named. with Judge Lovett as chair
man.