Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-07
SWEEPING PROBE
in PRICE Of COAL
IS NOW PLANNED
DRASTIC STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
TO LOWER PRICEs-RAILR
GIVEN CHEAP CONTRACTS.

The plan of the Illinois State Coun-
ell of Defense for reducing eXorbit
ant coal prices In the state upon
which plan househollprs and big cor
porations alike have been waiting be
fore filling their bins may be- made
public today.
Drastic In the extreme" IS the de
scription of the plan given yester-
day IL will come up for ratification
before the state councils meeting to.
day While carefully guarded it is
understood that the recommendation
may be joined by other central west
states and that concurrent action
may be expected.
The plan. which was prepared by
the law committee of the state com.
ell. OF which Levy Mayer is chair
man, has already been laid before
Governor l.owden and has his full
support. II has also been made
known to Governor J. T. Goodrich of
Indiana, who is taking an active in
terest in shaving the 100 to 2GO per
cent increase in coal prices
Governors Meeting Likely.
II is not unlikely that a join con
ference Of governors of all middle
west states and representatives OF
their state councils, as well as pub
lie utilities commissions, may follow
today's meeting.
The coal operators were shown to
have nullifed their principal defense
to the high prices their claim that
to lower Illinois prices would be to
invite discrimination or competition
with coal operators in adjoining
states.
In contradiction of this claim Is
report made blythe advisory commit
tee on coal production and distribu
ton of the state council, of which J.
X. Dering, general manager of the
O'Gara Coal Co; d. W. Buchanan,
president Old Ben Coal Co. and DR.
f. c. HOnnold. secretary Chicago and
Big Muddy Coal and Coke Co., are
members, which says:
From the best information avail
able your committee believes that the
lllinois.lndiana coal mines will be
asked to provide minimum of 25,-
600. geo tons more coal than was last
year mined and sold by them
Can't Get Eastern Coal.
"This additional tonnage will be re
quired on account of the inability to
get the usual amount of eastern coal
west, either by rail or across the
lakes, and because, due to the un-
usual increased industrial activity in
cident TO war preparation and con
duct. % per cent more coal will likely
be used in Illinois and nearby states
dependent upon both Hi
nos and various eastern Goals
As indicative of how cheap coal
may be mined in Illinois, plus profit
the utilities bureau in a memorial sent
to the federal trade commission, sug
costing cooperation with state Off
cials in reducing coal prices, some
existing contracts are cited. Among
hem are:
Illinois Central Railroad has con
ract for Illinois coal running from
April /. 1917. to March 81, 1918, at
; 81 net ton +. o. b. the mines,
The Wabash has contracts for Hi /
lois coal running from MARCH, 1916, /
o March 81 1918, the price ranging
rom so cent to $l25 a ton.
The Chicago Rock Island and Pa
life has a contract running to March |
Il, 1918, at 80 cents ton.
The Chicsgo and Alton has more /
han a dozen contracts running from
March, 1915, to March 81, 1918, the
rice Of coal being $1275 net ton.
NOW EnR THE ERETT