The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-10-19
new PRICES FOR COAL
IN STATE EXPLAINED
Workings of Federal Control
+ System for Fuel Shown
49, to. Public.

System for Fuel Shown
' to- Public.
(By w. J. Swindlehurst, State Fuel
Administrator
SO much misunderstanding seems to
exist with reference to the method
adopted by the federal government
fixing the retail price Of coal and coke
in Montana, that a brief statement
explaining the government regulation
appears desirable and necessary at
this time.
Contrary to the prevailing general
opinion, the state fuel administrator
has nothing to do with fixing the
price of coal or coke sold at the mine
or by the numerous retail dealers
throughout the state. Both are fixed
by DR.. H. A. Garfield, the federal fuel
administrator at Washington, D. c.,
under a regulation announced October
/. Prices charged BY producers at the
mines were arbitrarily fixed some time
ago, and under the plan formulated
for the guidance Of retail dealers in
fixing prices, every retailer must
first ascertain his average retail gross
margin in the year 1915, as indicated
by this order, as the difference be-
tween the price charged by a retail
dealer to consumers and the average
cost Of coal, free on board railroad
cars at his railroad siding, when more
normal conditions prevailed than at
present. To this, he may add not to
exceed 80 per cent of that margin,
which, of course, includes his profit
at that time. In no case, however,
shall the gross margin added by any
retail dealers exceed the retail gross
margin added by him during July
1917.
Retail dealers beginning business
since 1915 must file with the fuel ad-
ministrator at Washington a sworn
statement Of the average retail gross
margin which they have received dur
ing the period they have been in bust
ness. Pending investigation, they will
be permitted to continue to sell coal
or coke at a gross margin not to ex-
coed the average gross margin which
they have received during the period
they have been in business. The
above 80 per cent increase, however,
shall not be added to such margin,
and the retail gross margin added by
retailers to their average cost of coal
or coke shall not in any case exceed
the average retail gross margin add
ed by them during the month of July
1917.
The state fuel inspector will be ex-
pected to take all possible steps to
relieve and improve fuel conditions, to
see that prices are maintained, and
regulate distribution. His first con-
s%ideration must be to get coal to the
consumers, and the dealers cannot be
expected to make the extraordinary
efforts which they must make this
winter if everybody is to get coal, un.
less they are given a reasonable
profit,
1t is possible that in some commu'
mites the percentage Of increase OF
the present cost of retail coal bust.
ness is more than 30 per cent in ex.
cess Of the cost in 1915. If this is
clearly demonstrated, the state fue1
administrators will be empowered tt
recommend a readjustment. All such
resdjustments must first be taken uI
with the local county committees who
&fh be appointed as soon as possible
In no instance is a retail dealer under
any obligation to increase his 1917
margin the full 80 per cent.
1t is believed that retail fuel deal
ers are, for the most part, general!
honest, and will willingly cooperate
and fix their margins according t.
this order, without the necessity o
compelling them to do so through tn
drastic provisions of the act control
ling the distribution of food and fue
products.
Nevertheless, fuel dealers, like othe
men, are just ordinary mortals. The
should not be expected to have wing:
and it is too much to ask Of ther
that they live on an industrial plan
that would require wings to sustai
them. Steps will, therefore, be take
through the assistance of county con
mittees as soon as practicable, to sc
that prices are maintained in all Il
c~alities of the state in accordane
with the above government regul'
tions.
In connection with this matter
might be we'll to state that there al
no paid salaries connected with tt
fuel administration in this state.
RECOI IITION Nh 900