The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-26
ADMIT COAL CRAB
Coal Operators Have Taken Adj
vantage of War Situation.
Secretary Lane Hits Them Hard
in Speech to BarOnS.

Washington, June 26.-Four hun
dred bituminous and anthracite coal
operators, gathered here to consider
reductions of coal prices for the gov
eminent and public, joined in dem
onStration of approval today when
Secretary Lane warned them that the
sensible patriotic and American thing
to do was to put into the hands of
some one or some small group the fix
ing of low price on coal secretary
Lane minced no words in telling the
coal men they should be patriotic
enough to forego profits for success
full conduct of the war.
The success of the country in this
great war" he said, rests on you and
you are responsible just the same as
the soldiers in the trenches, Pershlng
in France or the president in the
White House. You control the funda-
mental industry. How much VISION
have you? Are you small or big; are
you petty politicians or statesmen
There must be some new adjustment
of the coal industry. When your boys
and mine are going to the front is no
time for you to reap an advanta a.
even when it comes under normal de-
mands of trade.
Sounds Their Patriotism.
.eThe life of the nation is at stake
and there are greater things than
making money. Is there man who
will say to me:
You can send your boy to France
while l stay here and coin his blood
| into dollars To be an American citi-
zen is not merely to make million
dollars, but it is to uphold the arm of
| the man who is making the fight for
| his country
c. NJ Moderwell a Chicago coal
/ dealer. predicted a serious shortage
at the head of the Great Lakes un-
less action is taken. He believed fix
| ing of an arbitrary price now was I'M
| desirable. Fear of prosecution under
| the Sherman law prevents the oper-
ators agreeing among themselves to
! bring down the price, he declared.
i Chairman Newlands expressed the
| opinion that the attorney general
would not construe the Sherman law
| in that way.
| 81 think if the attorney general
would tell US that the law would not
be used against us, we could bring
down the price of coal very quickly, F"
Mr.. Moderwell replied. He added
that the coal situation was in part
caused by the fact that the mines
operate only eight hours a day while
a majority of Industries are in opera
ton twenty-four hours day. Capac-
| itY of the mines is about 40 per cent
more than production but he doubted
if they would be able to reach maxi
mum production for lack of railroad
| transportation.
Coal Up rs TO 100 Per Cent.
What is the average increase in
the price of coal to the consumer
asked Senator Pomerene.
1T has been very large e a ne na reo
from rs to 100 per cent but that Is
only an estimate"
How do you justify the in
creases ?"
as anybody else. and they have taken
advantage of the conditions and the
people"
Making 200 to 500 Per Cent Profit
Moderweu admitted many com
NAMES are selling coal at 200 to 200
per cent profit, but said his company
in southern Illinois had only ad-
vanced the price to consumer at rates
VARYING between rs and 100 per cent
over charges of a year ago.
The great plea of the coal men will
be for a chance to recoup their losses
or slim profits-of f1fteen years ne
said
Don't you think coal companies are
entitled to some extraordinary wal
profits to make up for previous
losses? Moderwen demanded of the
committee
I'VE do not" retorted Senator Cum
minis.
Moderwell said if he had a contract
covering a term of years, fixing &c
to rs cents a ton profit on coal, He
would be satisfied. He said, however
some companies will ask for a 81 g
ton profit.
!, 600 Million Profit.
"Our national coal production is
6OO,OOO,OOO tons a year." Pomerene
interjected, "at 81 a ton profit thai
would mean 100000 annual prof
its to the operators, or Sc tax on ev-
cry man, woman and child in the
country"
Americas allies will not draw any
gigantic tonnage in coal it developed
during the hearing. Moderwen sale
he understood France needs 100000
Italy, 100000 and Canada 1000,
000-a total of 2O,0O0,OO0 tons. He
then said the 1917 production viii
, equal 5O,000,O00 or an increase o.
! 15O. O00.0OO over last wear