Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-17
PRESIDENT must
CURB COAL BAR0NS
COUNCILS OF DEFENSE OF WEST.
ERN STATES PUTS PROBLEM
UP TO WILSON.
DEMAND FEDERAL Help
TO RELIEyE SITUATION
Conference Adopts Resolutions Which
Are Wired to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Conference to BE Held Next Week to
Make Comparison of Prices and Cost

Chicago, Aug. Misrepresentation
of the councils Of defense Of thirteen
middle west states. at a conference
held here today, adopted resolutions
urging immediate action hy the federal
government in fixing reasonable
price for coal and regulat ting the dis
tribution Of fuel by the railroads to
relieve the crisis which threatens the
country. A copy of the resolutions was
telegraphed to President Wilson.
The conference adjourned to meet
again in Chicago next Thursday, when
the representatives Of the states Will
report data to be gathered on the cost
of coal production at various mines.
The figures will be compared at the
next conference and probably COM
mittee named to go to Washington with
the report The various states will
cooperate in every possible way with
President Wilson and the federal trade
commission in fixing the price of coal
and arranging for its distribution.
The resolutions follow:
"The governors and state councils
of defense representing Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas. Missouri. Nebraska, North Da-
kota, Ohio South Dakota, Wisconsin
and Illinois have met at Chicago In
conference today for the purpose OF
devising the best ways and means Tor
meeting the critical coal situation that
prevails in this country, and which
threatens certain disaster to the sue
cessfuI conduct Of the war, agree on
the following:
"One: The production. transporta-
ton, distribution and price of coal re-
uuires immediate and drastic super
vision, regulation and control, both on
the part Of the federal government and
of the states. The states, in their in
dividual capacity, have the power to
effect such control and regulation
within their respective states. Under
legislation just passed. the federal
has the power to make
such regulation and control decisive,
complete and effective.
Two: The production OF coal must
be stimulated encouraged and in
creased to the utmost capacity OF the
mines, so that the needs Of the people
and Industries OF this country and O.
our allies may be fully and properly
met Therefore every possible agent
within the power Of the federal and
state governments should be imme-
diately brought into requisition so that
the necessary production of coal can
be promptly effectedSand In bringing
about this result there must be no In
reference with the earnings and wages
of laborers. IA
Three: There Is an urgent neces-
sity for a complete reorganization OF
the methods and machinery OF trans
portation and distribution. These Ia
cilities should be at once enlarged and
increased to the utmost. We urged
that the mine gateways Of Lake Erie
be utilized to the fullest extent. Al
present only two are 80 used.
-Four: The price Of coal Is unrea.
sonably excessive and in many cases
Therefore, II Is recon-
mended that the governors and the
state councils Of defense in the coal
producing states should Immediately
proceed with the ascertainment OF the
approximate cost Of producing, han
ding and distributing coal to the ulti-
mate consumers.
Five: We recommend that in those
states where proceedings are already
on foot to fix the price Of coal to the
ultimate consumer. such proceedings
shall continue their final conclusion
that every action so had shall be taken
and co-ordinated with such steps as
the federal government may take.
six: These resolutions are adopt
ed with the single end in view Of pro-
tecting not merely the people OF the
coal producing states. 1t being the de-
sign and intention Of this conference
TO avoid all possible discrimination
and to take steps for the common good
Of the entire nation.
Seven: We recognize the Tar
reaching provisions of the food, feeo
and fuel control bill which became a
law on the 10th instant, and also OF
the preferential shipments bill. Under
both these enactments the federal gov
eminent has machinery to effect instant
relief and we most earnestly but re-
spectfully urge immediate action on
the part OF the federal government.
The states here represented pledge
their heartiest support to- and coop
Grafton with all action which the leu
eral government and the various states
may take.
"Eight. We recommend that copy
OF these resolutions be forthwith tele-
graphed to the president OF the Onlteo
states and that copies be sent to the
governors and state councils Of de-
Tense in the different states"
Under Seas Telephones.
OF recent years there has been mucn