Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-21

stood. has worked out a complete plan
for price fixing in the event the presi-
dent does not believe the situation re-
quires Communicating. The program
provides for government operation of
mines refusing to sell their output at
the prices fixed.
For some time the country's anthra-
cite mines have been operating on a
price system suggested by the trade
commission, but enforced by voluntary
agreement The system, however, new
er has been extended to cover Jobbing
and retailing, and the commission has
attempted to reach these trades through
publicity.
The requisitioning plans, If adopted,
would call for a division of the country
into districts. Every operator would
be raid for his product on basis of
cost of production plus a definite per-
centage Of profit. All the coal in dis
trict would be pooled and sold to the
public at one price. although the prices
fixed for different districts might vary
considerably. Allowance would be Civ
en- operators for quantity of production
and efficiency of service
UNIFORM PRICES.
Officials of the trade commission say
no scheme could be worked out, either
under a requisitioning system or
straight price-fixing plan, whereby 1t
would be possible to pay uniform price
for coal at all miItes.
Priority of shipment is recognized as
one of the biggest problems confronting
the government in any solution of the
coal situation. Two new laws officials
believe, give the government full pow
err in that respect These are the act en-
towering the president to direct priority
for certain shipments and the act giving
the interstate commerce commission
power to direct the movement of cars.
Powers vested in the president by
the priority act probably will be turned
over to Judge Lovett next week.
An appeal to the government to begin
exercising Immediately its powers to
direct shipment was made today by the
railroad war board, which in a state
ment declared the coal situation in the
northwest still is serious. Although
there has been a large increase in the
movement of coal, the statement said.
the direction in many instances has not
been towards communities that need it
most.
WHITE ISSUES STATEMENT.
President White, of the United Mine
Workers today issued the following
statement on the conference which he
and Chairman Peabody, of the coal pro-
duction committee, had yesterday with
President Wilson:
The president was ADVISED act
quickly in creating an agency, as au-
thorized by congress, providing for fed
eral supervision and control of coal
production and distribution. The mine
workers representatives stated to the
president that agitation by state coun-
ellis of defense, state organizations, and
state governments looking to state con-
troll of coal mining operations and coal
production was. in their opinion. doing
much harm and that this injurious eff
feet would be overcome only by federal
action and federal control.
The president was requested that
with the agency or authority. through
which the government would exercise
control over coal production, that repre-
senatives of all elements, miners and
operators. engaged in the production of
coal. would be associated 1t was their
opinion. based upon knowledge and ex-
aerience that cooperation of all
forces engaged in coal produc-
ton could be brought about II
they we're represented in an advisory
capacity. or otherwise, with the agency
or authority exercising governmental
control.
we deny most emphatieally that
either a request or suggestion was
made in opposition to reduction of the
selling price of coal. Our mission was
for no other purpose than as stated
herein"