The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-17
Concessions Granted Operators
by Director Garfield.
Government Will Allow Them
1915 at the Shaft.
THIS INCREASE OF 95 CENTS
New Rate, However. Is Only a
Temporary One.
All Mines Have Been Closed for
Several Weeks.

Usage county coal mines are to re-
open under concessions granted today
by Harry A. Garfield, federal fuel ad-
ministrator. Under an agreement
from the federal government, Usage
producers will receive 1915 a ton for
coal at the mines. pending final es-
tablishment of rates based on a special
federal investigation.
Concessions to the Usage operators
are expected to result in the imme-
diate reopening of the field. which has
been shut down during the last sew
eral weeks. 1t is believed operators
will accept the price approved by
Garfield and will at once make con-
ceSSionS to miners to induce their re-
turn. Practically every mine in the
district is closed. Miners refused to
return to work at the old rates. aitho
a contract was in existence concern
ing the wage scales. Operators re-
fused to produce coal at the new gov
ernment rate. So, by mutual consent,
the mines closed.
Increase of 30 Cents.
Under the new rate approved by
the government for temporary pro-
duction, the operators will receive an
increase of 95 cents a ton over prices
established in the recent fuel schedule
The rate for lump coal at the Usage
mines was fixed at $2.S0 a ton as
against rates ranging from $3.15 to
81 prior to the government order.
With the esta blishment of the new
rate an investigation will be made
especially concerning working condi-
tions in the Usage field. Should it
be shown that 1915 is necessary to
produce coal in the field. ii is quite
probable the temporary rate will be
made permanent. On the other hand
should the rate be lowered, it is as
sumed retailers will receive credit for
the balance paid in addition to the
fixed price.
John Hunt assistant attorney gem
eral received a telegram from the fuel
administration officials today approv-
| ing the plan for an increase in rates
| pending further investigation. S. NJ
Brewster. attorney general. had sent
| a telegram asking for a temporary
rate of s3.75. The reply today was to
| the effect that the tentative rate
| would be in conformity with the law
and the rules of the federal fuel ad-
| ministrator.
Hunt Is Optimistic.
| This action will doubtless result
| in the immediate reopening of the
mines in the Usage district" said
Hunt. "It grants a tentative increase
I in rates as demanded by the operators
and l believe will solve the strike and
shut down in the field"
! Following the governors confer
| ence in Chicago several weeks ago.
| Governor Capper outlined a plan for
state operation of coal mines. When
the operators threatened to shut down
| the Usage mines following establish
| ment of federal rates, the governor
| announced the state would take
| charge of the mines if they were
closed. Both operators and miners
gave the governor chance to make
good his threat. Operators refused
to pay the new wage scale or to pro-
duce coal at the federal rate. Min
ers refused to work. But the state
| did not take over the mines. Nor did
| it seek relief in the courts. An effort
by the attorney generals office to se-
| cure the temporary relief today result
| ed in approval of the tentative sched-
| ule.
! 1t is believed the tentative rate will
remain in effect for sometime. at
least until the government is able to
make findings as to the cost of pro-
| duction in the field.