New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Fix Price and Sell to Pub
lie, the Commits
sion Urges
Government Would
Have Preference
Operators To Be Paid on
Basis of Cost, Plus
a Profit

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-In a report
"A the President late to-day the Fed
.,l Trade Commission recommended
es. the government take over the out
ant Of the mines, fix the price of coal
As authorized in the food bill and re-
nll Il 70 consumers, giving precedence
10 the fuel demands Of war industrial
Establishments.
The trade commission is opposed to
he governments Communicating and
sperating the mines at the present
tine though, it is stated, this opposi-
ton will be dissipated should the rec
tnnended price-fixing and distribution
prOrsmme fail to solve the nations
fuel problems. 1t is not proposed to
aks over the anthracite output now,
il is stated. though the government
probsbly will fix the price and control
distribution,
The Federal Trade Commissions re-
mort 70 the White House to-day fol-
lowed round of visits by the Presi-
dent 10 the departments interested IN
N, fuel situation. About IL o'clock
his morning the President called on
M. Hoover. Immediately sfterwsrd ne
vent TO the Offices of the Federal Trade
Commission. where he was closeted with
members for two hours. Later he went
IA he Department of Justice, anc1
,boy, o'clock he visited the Offices OF
,ks csuhcil of National Defence, where
he eonnlted with Judge Lovett, OF the
Eg lsdustries Board, presumably on
To gnestion Of priority.
70 Announce Plan in Few Days
his expected that the President by
reclamation will announce the govern
,sses fuel control programme WITHIN
a,next few days. AS soon as TINS IL
"a of the way. the President will give
4, attention TO steel prices: IL Is uh,
srtood that he has been disappointee
rhe delay in the Trade Commission
determination of steel production costs
The requisitioning plan, II adopteo
would cali for division OF the countr,
INTO districts. Every operator woulC
b paid for his product on a basis o.
ecst Of PRODUCTION, plus a definite per
s,ptsgs Of profit. All the coal in
district would be pooled and sold u
tSe pnblic at one price, although the
prizes hxed for different districts mign'
Wv considerably. Allowance would oe
riysp opsrators for quantity produc'
ton and efficiency Of service.
Ofieisls Of the Trade Commlsslon
say nc scheme could be worked out
ether under a reQuisitioning system OF
straight price fixing plan, WHEREBY
i,vould be possible TO pay uniIorm
price for coal at all mines.
Al appeal to the government TO oegin
t1tFcising Immediately its power 10 dl-
rec. shipments was made to-day py tns
Eslroad War Board, which in state
zen. declared the coal situation in the
kGiAwest is still serious. Although
ass has been a large increase IN the
EtWneut of coal, the statement ssioi
De Erection in many instances has not
bsta toward communities that need II
Esst
Railroad Boards Statement
Realizing that the question of pro-
ricing coal for the Northwest is one OF
rational importance" said the state
rsnt, Involving the defence and Sc
turlty Of the nation, because, unless
ne fuel can be placed there prior TO
es close OF navigation, there will be q
fecue;ion next year in the food supply
Podueed in that section, and in the
szount Of iron ore shipped down the
ates, and also much suffering among
'as people Of Minnesota, Wisconsin and
ne Dakotas this winter, this commit
zee has been untiring in its efforts to
IMPROVE the situation.
Although the cooperative efforts OF
ne coal men, the lake vessel owners
sac the railroads have increased 2o.2
ysf cent the total amount of coal IN
Rs Cnited States, this committee has
eeen unable 70 direct the movement TO
we Northwest 10 the extent that is
tsceissry.
The Committee desires to call atten-
oa 70 the fact that some Of the ex-
sefcinzry powers recently vested in
as tecersl government may enable the
sAinhirstion 10 apply a remedy
asn may result in getting the neces-
~ eozl 70 the Northwest prior TO the
we Of navigation"
ne question Of supplying fuel and
ea a. reasonable prices 70 govern
sos plants and private establishments
seut.ng g6Ternment contracts is fun
,neaIsl 70 the formulation of the en-
~ war Industrial programme, IL is
.,sNd out. Until these questions are
sea by the President, the War In
sssss'ses Board is able 20 proceed only
49, eoaudsrztion Of preliminary ques-
ss o. priority and policy.
adjustment. 1t is stated, will
~. - ias way for a rapid development
= ~. =. sntlre question Of securing war