Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-28
Senate COAL INQUIRY
HELD IN NARROW LIMITS
President Wilson's Decision to Take
Over Railroads Confines
Scope OF Probe.
TRANSPORTATION AT FAULT
Lack OF Cars at Mines Keeps Btu
minous Producers Idle Several
Days Each Week, Tcstifies w. b.
Colver, OF Trade Commission.
ny Associated Press.l

By Associated Press1
WASHINGTON, December 27.-Presi-
dent Wilson's decision to take over the
railroads will keep the Senate coal in
quiry within narrower limits than
originally planned. Members OF tho
manufacturers committee, invcstisat-
ing both coal and sugar. are disin-
clincd to go into the transportation
difficulties now that they believe i'm
provcmcnt is in sight. and in the hear
ing day touched only casually on the
lack Of railroad facilities, which has
been blamed for most OF the coal
shortage
w. Il. Colver, member OF the Federal
Trade Commission, the only witness
to-day, said failure of railroads to
place enough cars at mines had resulted
in bituminous miners OF the country
being idle an average OF two or three
days n week, which not only limits
production, but tends to make discon-
tented lnborcrs. Had there been plenty
OF cars this year. he stated enough
coal could have been mined to mako
up tho 5o,oo0.0o0-ton shortage Fuel
Administrator Garfield estimated exists.
Mr. Colvcr reiterated. however, the
commissions opinion that no car short
age exists, and that misplacins OF cars
is what is causing the trouble.
Production was at it's lowest cbo. and
prices the highest, he testified. when
President Wilson set tentative coal
prices in August. and 1t was price con-
ditions prior to that, and transporta-
ton conditions-both rail aud water
since. that led to the present situation.
SALES AT HIGH PRICES
FIRST LOTS DELIVERED
Early last summer, Mr.. Colver told
the committee, the operators had con-
tractcd for so per cent OF the estimated
output for the year at prices higher
than those later fixed. Just before the
prices were fixed there was violent
bidding for coal not contracted for, and
/! in many cases still higher prices were
paid. Then, no explained. the operators
hurried to deliver this gh-priced
product, leaving the contract coal, tho
bulk of deliveries, until later. In con-
sequence. he said, coal usually shipped
to the Great Lakes, New England and
other sections during the summer was
not sent. and in the fall. when the
operators turned to their contracta
there were no facilities for delivery.
Prices set By the President were
high, the commissioner testified, but
not nearly SO high as those in most
contracts. and much lower than that
sold without contract. Existing con-
tracts in most instances have been al
lowed to stand, hence much coal is
being sold at prices higher than those
fixed by the President.
The committee will take up sugar
again tomorrow morning. with Food
Administrator Hoover testifyinS. The
statement which he tried to get before
tho committee last week already has
been made public at the White House,
hut ii is expected he will DO qucs-
toned during the entire day. Other
sugar witnesses may he called for Sat
urday, but the committee has no def
Mite plans beyond Friday.