The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-18
PRICE OF COAL
MUST Be LOWER
If Such is Not Assured, States
or Government Will
Seize All
Mines.
AT REASONABLE FIGURE
High Cost ~ Last Winter Not to be
Permitted Again ~
Burden to the
People
AT REASONABLE FIGURE

| UNITED Press Leased Wire Service ]
CHICAGO, Aug. 18.-The middle
west was uniting today in the fight
against excessive coal prices.
Steps were taken in three states
| and were about to be taken In two
others, toward state control OF mines.
In Illinois,; Governor Lowden called
on Attorney General Brundage for
the procedure to seize Illinois 500
mines which employ 100000 men. A
special session of the legislature may
be called. Lowden took this step
following rejection by coal operators
for an offer of cooperation between
state and mine owners to fix coal
prices.
In Indiana Governor Goodrich laid
plans to call special session Of the
legislature for August q to establish
fair coal price. Governor Capper
of Kansas called conference of coal
producers for next Monday to fix
prices. Capper said he would seize
the mines II the conference failed.
In Missouri Attorney General Nc
Allester announced he would recon-
mend seizure Of the mines to Gov
ernor Gardner. Governor Harding of
Iowa announced that unless relief
comes at once, he would seize all
mines.
In Colorado, Denver has contracted
for the entire output of two coal
mines to see that the poor get coal
this winter.
Opportunity will be given Uncle
Sam to step in first, however. Actual
seizure Of the mines is not expected
by the states before ten days. All
want federal control, but they want
it quick.
Federal injunction against seizure
of mines will be sought by the
miners, according to the owners. Jus
tice Carter, coal dictator. continued
his Investigations today. Carter was
expected to fix mine mouth price
by Wednesday in time to announce
it to the conference of midwest state
executives here Thursday. Within a
few hours. after determining the
mine mouth price. Carter will set
about fixing retail price.
All midwest states kept their eye
on Illinois today. They were watch
fully" waiting to see how far Illinois
can go successfully. II Illinois proves
its power to operate the mines, other
states will follow.
Government Control Near.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1s.-Govern-
ment control of coal is near today.
Mine owners who appealed to Pres
ident Wilson for last chance to In
crease production and lower prices
are understood to have been told
that in event they fail to act 1mme-
diately, the government, will take
over the coal supply as 1t has planned
to do with wheat.
The union miners. headed BY John
p. White, lined up with the defense
councils coal committee against gov
ernment regulation.
The federal trade commission at
the same time is trying to satisfy
the growing demand form the middle
west for relief from high prices. That
President Wilson will order the COM
mission to carry out the Pomerene
coal amendment to the food control
law Is considered probable In event
other measures fail.
Chairman Peabody Of the counci1s
coal committee addressed a final ap-
neal to the men in the coal industry
TO .'exercise proper degree Of volun-
tary restraint" and safeguard the
nublic as we'll as obtain maximum
production.
"In the Judgment Of the commit
an naoA 9l