Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-29


IN the effect that if the gross margin
of dealers in the year 1915 incIuueu
the charge for carrying in coal, the
gross margin in future must a'so III
clude that charge.
An ontirnistic view OF the coal situation
was expressed this morning by W'll'am
Potter Pennsylvania fuel controller toi-
lowing his return from three-day nay
conference in washington with the peu-
eraI fuel administration,
In regard TO the reported acute scarc''y
OF coal here, Mr.. Potter said; i oeneNe
Judge Lovett's order just issued under .ne
priority shipment act operative NoSe@IIoeI @
/ giving fuel more right OF way ana nloIe
cars. will quickly put stop TO emoargoes
In fuel and ease the congestion on rail-
roads. so far as coal and coke are coh-
cerned. -, ,,,o,,,d
with this change in effect there should
he no considerable shortage OF ahtnIae'''
coal this coming winter The private con.
sumner of coal represents only 20 per cent
of the coal-consuming public, let him re-
member He should be more patent anu
until the congestion on the railroads Is
ren,edied, be satisfied with his small stOCh
never forgetting that we are in the o nilust
of the most terrible war in the his'orS
of the world
SUPPLY BELOW NORMAL
"T know that the members Of the Phila-
doInbia coal committee. from the result or
their examinations so far realize that tle
stock of retail coal in this city is tar bslow
normal. and that the only hope for lower
retail nrice here is more co II and less over
head EXPENSE for the dealer In making up
his coal sheets
That the bituminous situation is at the
present time far more serious than the an
thracite is the view he'd by Mr., Potter'
though this he believes, will be greatly
helped by the Presidents order advancing
the price forty-hve cents ton and fuller
time at the mines. Miners, operators and
carries are all evidencing a patriotic
spirit in their efforts toward solving this
most sensitive problem of preventing a
shortage of fuel. he stated.
IF It Is not solved through these means.
of course it may become necessary for the
Government to cut off all fuel supply from
nonessential business. and even borrow it
from any boarded coal IT may be discovered
to have on hand" Mr.. Potter admitted.
But we hope and believe that this will not
become necessary" he added cheerfuly.
At o'clock this afternoon the local
committee will begin its tabuating OF the
retailers reports on the four vital ques-
tioEs: coal supply in yards, price to con-
sumer extra charge to consumer for de-
livery and proportion of coal bought from
the companies and the independents re-
spectiVely.
Experts from the Federal Trade Commits
sion, it is learned from an authoritative
source, will be sent on from Washington
to assist the work of the local committee,
actually going over the retailers books,
ready to draw out into the light of day any
hidden items of profit that may be tucked
away under costs of doing business
URGE FIXED PRICE
Virtually all the large retailers express
themselves as hopeful that the result of
the local conference may be a recommended =
ton by Chairman Lewis for a fixed price
which dealers may add to the mine cost plus
freight, thus doing away with the present
endless difficulties over gross margin.
Attorney General Gregory has decided
that coal prohteers shall feel the strong
arm of the law, according to advices from
Washington. Investigations under way are
based upon complaints brought to the atten-
tion of Fuel Administrator Garfield, who
referred them to the Attorney General for
action These reports of dealers exacting
exorbitant prices both for anthracite and
bituminous coal have come from the Mid
die West and from many Eastern States.
The Department OF Justice today pointed
out that It will investigate thoroughly all
complaints now before II before instituting
criminal proceedings and that witnesses
will be summoned to establish the truth
the charges. Fines not exceeding $4,000
and sentences of two years Imprisonment
-, .g.1v vA.fga Inn