New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-22
Fixing of Coal
Prices Urged by
u. S.Commission
Trade Board in Report
Charges Producers with
Exacting Big Profits

Washington. May Enforcement
regulation of the coal industry, inciud-
ing the fixing of prices, was proposed
bv the Federal Trade Commission to-
dav in a report to Congress charging
producers and brokers with exsctlng
exorbitant profits and blaming the
present coal shortage at consumption
points on inadequate transportation
facilities.
"Thc price Of bituminous coal. which
is a necessity. should be fixed said
the report, according to the same
general principle which has been es-
tablished in the conduct of public utili-
ties. At time like the present eX-
cessive profits should not be permitted
to be extorted from the public by pro-
ducers and distributors of any prime
necessity of life"
In line it'll thwe Trade Commissions
statements concerning transportation
the Supreme Court handed down de-
cision to-day UNFOLDING the power CT
the Interstate Commerce Commission
10 compel railroads to furnish reason
ably adequate supply of coal cars TO
handle normal and seasonable demands
for interstate commerce originating at
mines along their lines ana the award
Of reparation to shippers for failure
TO supply cars.
In test case Of Illinois coal pro-
ducers against the Illinois Central the
court reversed Federal court in
junction against an order of the com
mission for investigation of damages
10 shippers for failure of the railroads
TO supply cars.
Lack of transportation for coal, the
Trade Commission report says, prob
ably will be remedied by measures be-
ing taken by the Interstate Commerce
Commission and BY the Council Of
National Defence.
These measures include regulations
covering the distribution of open top
cars, expedition Of shipments, the re-
,urn Of empty cars 70 mines. proven
tion of abuse Of reconsignment and de-
murrage privileges and the provision
OF additional transp OrtatIon equipment,
either by acquiring new cars or by dis
continuance Of unnecessary passenger
trains.
The comm ssion's report said that
while there had been an increase in
coal production an unprecedented de-
mand during the last six months not
only absorbed coal as fast as it could
be shipped, but exhausted the small
stocks in storage. The country now
faces a serious situation, the commits
sion declared. in obtaining a commodity
basic to virtually every form of mill
tary and industrial activity.
In 1916 shipments of coal from the
mines amounted to about 509,0000 900
tons, about 56,O00,000 tons greater than
in 1915. This was due, the commission
found. to industrial expansion and 10
increased railroad traffic. Transporta-
ton difficulties grew out Of unusual
burdens laid upon both rail and water
transportation systems and on abuse of
reconsgnment and demurrage privi-
leges.
The commission recommended strong
~ that coal miners be exempted in the
army draft and that everything posi-
BILE be done TO urge them to remain at
their normal tasks.
Specializing brokers. as w. as pro-
ducers. were charged with RESPONSE
bility for increased prices. The pro-
ducers. the report said, admit frankly
they are taking advantage of the situa-
ton TO make up for low profits of the
last few years.