The sun., 1917-08-24


WAsHINGroN. Aug. 2s.-Steps OF vital
interest to the consumer OF household
coal were taken to-day by the President
in pursuance of the Governments plan
to control the fuel situation under the
terms Of the food act. These steps were:
The fixing Of prices for all grades
and sizes OF anthracite free on board
at the mines. which while not ma
terially under present prevailing mine
prices nevertheless will serve 70 sta
bilze anthracite prices.
The fixing OF Jobbers' margins-the
difference between the price at. tho
mine and the price charged retail
dealers-whch with the mine prices
fixed will operate to prevent retail coal
dealers from charging extortionate
prices for coal to consumers.
The appointment OF Harry A. Gar
field, presiden. OF Williams College,
to administer the fuel sections of the
food act. which gives such powers over
coal and coke as Mr., Hoover exer-
cises over food.
While to-day's order still leaves retail
dealers In coal unshackled, Il Axes every
other factor in the retail price Of coal
The price at the mines. the freight ratio
and the jobbers' margin arc fixed by
Government agencies, and the sum OF
these items subtracted from the dealers
price represents his margin.
Retailers TO he watched.
1t Is expected that this publicity will
be a powerful weapon in dealing with
what the Trade Commission in its in
yestigat!ons of conditions IN Washington
as "eXorbitant charges for
the services of purchasing and storing
coal"
The Trade Commission At the sams
time issued a significant warning to re-
tail dealers that they must reduce their
prices at once TO yield "A moderate and
reasonable return"
While the hand OF the Government has
not reached out over the retailers to the
extent of fixing prices for them, II will
be the function OF Prof Garfield as tho
coal adminstrator to watch this phase
OF the situation closely. The powers
with which he will be armed give him
the right at any time he deems /, neces-
sary to regulate the business of the re-
tailers and fix the price at which they
shall sell their coal to customers
careful watch will bc kept Of the
margins charged hy retailers. and II
they are not. reasonable drastic action
will be taken under the law. Prof Gar
held IL chairman of the grain fixing
but his work in that CON
nection will be finished by September 1
and ne will then start in to regulate tho
coal business under the au-
ihor!ty conferred upon him to-day by'
The President The effect should be 10
bring about a considerable reduction in
next winters coal bills as compared with
what the average consumer paid lases
winter.
Coal Prices Are Set.
The prices fixed for anthracite follow.
White ash grade, broken. si55; egg.
S4.45: stove. $470 chestnut, $3.50;
pea, -.
Red ash grade, broken. s475; egg,
$4.65 stove, s49o chestnut. $3.50;
pea, $40.
Lykens Valley grade. broken s5.
Egg. $3.50; stove, $500 chestnut, $3.50:
pea. $+,35.
Jobbers are to be allowed n margin
Of Is cents a ton on bituminous and 20;
cents ton for anthracite east of Buff
falo. West OF Buffalo a margin OF 80
cents IL nNed. A screening charge OF
cents may be made on water shipments
At Atlantic or lake ports. Where n given
shipment of coal Is resold by two or
more jobbers their total margin must.
not exceed the amounts named
The prices are for coal produced andi
sold by the large anthracite companies.
Tor the most part owned by the railroad
,ompa nies, which control so per cent. OF
the production. The smaller independent
concerns are allowed to exceed III,
prices hxed for their competitors by 75
cents q ton. These Independents are for
hidden to buy coal from the larger pros
hucers. nor can dealers and selling AZ gents