The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-13

With winters shadow overhanging.
the machinery of the Kansas federal
fuel administration resolved into a de-
tailed statewide probe of retail coal
prices, costs and general conditions
today. At the request of Emerson
, Carey, state fuel administrator, c. H.
Danner, chairman of the federal fuel
committee for Shawnee county, sent
letters to all Topeka dealers demand
ing detailed statement of all phases
and items of their business. The
statements must be in banners hands
by November "a and must cover all
sales, purchases, deliveries, overhead
expenses, and other items involved in
the dealers transactions from July,
this year, until October 81.
At the same time, Danner, at the
request of Carey, asked all purchasers
of coal to keep cost slips and other
memoranda in the face Of a possibil-
ity that Kansas operators may be
adding to their prices the AS cent in
crease authorized because of advanced
wage scales in certain states. Accord
ing to a letter received by Danner
from Carey today this increase is not
yet legal in Kansas among operators
who have not met the wage require
ments. Only few operators, Carey
says, are paying the increased wages.
Small Ray of Hope.
Information that steps are about to
be taken that will alleviate the coal
shortage were received today by DAN
ton. 1t is the plan of the fuel admin
iStration, says the circular containing
the information, to tighten shipping
restrictions giving coal shipments
preference in railroad transit
Coal and iron ore" said DaEner,
ARE now being given considerable
preference over other shipments. If
necessary coal will be given the right
Z Oh
foodstuffs.''
Both Carey and Danner have been
advocating such policy for some
time.
In speaking of the prompt hand
ling of coal by shippers and cCnsign-
ees, Danner warned that retail deal
ers must unload cars promptly and
return them to the railroads.
I'VE are keeping our eyes OPEN"
he said, ''and the man who holds coal
on board cars and pays demurrage in
lieu of unloading it promptly 40 that
the car may be returned TO the mines
will be the last one to receive chip
ments. We will see to it that dealers
who do not cooperate in aIleviating
the shortage don't get any coal =
The investigation of conditions
which Danner is making today in re-
gard to retail prices and conditions
will be used in checking up with the
government orders referring to prices.
/ Violaters of government prices and
/ price scales are liable to heavy fines
and penalties.
| banners Letter.
! banners letter to dealers in Shaw
nee county today follows:
/ You will kindly furnish me with a
monthly cost sheet of your coal business
/ beginning with July, 1917, and ending with
ment of all coal bought and sold each
month. itemizing each kind and size of
coal: showing cost per ton at mine freight
and other shipping charges. Also give de
tailed statement of all coal sold and lie
Hvered each month, itemizing sale price per
/ ton on each kind and size of coal, and
separately listing wholesale and retail
sales. Also give itemized statement of
( operating and maintaining coal business
during these months.
These statements shall be verified by
affidavit and returned to me not later
/ than November p. 1917.
( c H BANNER. Chairman.
Fuel Committee for Shawnee County
The letter received from Carey by
/ Danner which declares that the As
cent government increase in mine
prices is yet illegal because operators
have not met the wage requirements
I follows:
Letter From Carey
Hutchinson. KAN Nov 12
County Chairman
We are today in receipt Of the following
/ letter from the United States fuel admin
/ iStratiOn ut Washington
I'VE enclose herewith copies of all papers
+ regarding the wage increase question. ANY
E operator may add this amount to his
prices as soon as he actually pays ii to
his men. No larger amount than 45 cents
may be added without the express approval
Of this office
For the operators who have met tho
v--rge requirements this order became sf-
fective at Z a. IN. October 20. It is our
underestimate that the Kansas operators
and miners have not vet agreed the
new wage scale. and so far we know, no
! Kansas operator is in position to charge
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