Evening star., 1917-12-26
COAL BARONS, SAYS
GARFIELD, GET PLUM
Profits Greater Than Ever in
History, Asserts Fuel
Administrator.
"u. S. MUST FORM POOL"

Many coal operators are making great
er profits now than ever in their his
tory, Fuel Administrator Garfield told
the Senate coal investigating committee
today. He said war demands for btu.
minons coal have been greater than the
mines could meet, and in an effort to
alleviate conditions the fuel administra-
tion was laying emphasis on stimulating
production rather than regulating price.
When the operators complain that
prices fixed by the President are too
low. we are inclined to give them the
benefit of the doubt" DR.. Garfield said.
Questioned by Senator Kenyon. DR..
Garfield said he believed big divi,
duction.
Must Pool Coal.
"If the war continues long enough
the government will be compelled to
pool all coal and sell at reasonable
prices" DIR. Garfield said
Assuming it will last long time
don't You think it should be done
now" asked Senator Vardaman.
1T would be bad during the winter
worse" said Senator Vardaman. Con
gress has given the President auto
cratic power. and all Of it, if necessary.
should be used to stop coal operators
from robbing and piundering the
American people"
DR.. Garfield testified the railroads
were cooperating with the fuel admin
istration as far as they were able, but
he did not believe improved transpor-
tation could be expected until opera
q Ia nfro1
Private Consumers Feel Shortage.
Private consumers have felt the
shortage because the government has
come first in its demands. but that rule
has been changed in the past few days,
Dr. Garfield said.
we are giving it to the people first
now" he said. with discontented
people we could not make much prog
ress in the war.
Conditions are much better, now that
the severe cold wave has passed, and
preparation are being made for the fu-
ture, he said.
DIR. Garfield said he did not want to
place blame for lack of transportation
on any one nor did he want to try to
shift blame that might be attached to
his administration and added that it
was impossible for the railroads to cope
with the situation
Cause of Trouble to Railroads,
LAS we have produced more coal we
have caused more trouble for the rail-
roads," he said. Coal is responsible
for one-haf of congested traffic and
thousands of cars are being backed up
at bottle-neck points through which
the railroads. have endeavored to move
large amounts.
The only thing to do is just what We
have done-asked Judge Lovett for a
priority order for coal and to appeal to
operators to shoot whatever coal they
can to points where most needed. That
has helped in some respect
DIR. Garfield mentioned Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati and Toledo as examples of
these bottle-neck points, but said there
were many others. He is trying to pre-
vent some backing up by eliminating
cross ha u1ing" where possible Mines
in eastern West Virginia were shipping
west and those in the western part east
causing congestion at meeting points.
Forcing the eastern mines to shin east
and those in the west to the west in
volved great detail in changing con-
tracts which are not closed until next
April he said.
May Abrogate Contracts.
Unless conditions are improved 1
may abrogate these contracts and
divert shipments to prevent conges-
tion." Or. Garfield said.
IT think that wise plan," remarked
Senator Kenyon.
DR.. Garfield said his organization is
composed of about 200 persons, chief
of whom are engineering experts, law
yers, coal producers and the president
of the United Mine Workers Of Amer.
lea. John p. White. He proceeded to
give at length details of how Com
plants against prices are handled
Forty such complaints of. opera TORS h : a
been Investigated. he said. and each
one had required services of engineers.
expert accountants and lawyers. Dr.
Garfield said his chief advisers were
volunteers and worked without saia-
ries or expense accounts.