The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-24
coal INDUSTRY.
In U. S. CONTROL;
GARFIELD NAMED
ADMINISTRATOR
Fix Producers and job
bers' Prices, Effective
September /
RETAIL PRICES
NOT DECIDED
Final Steps Will Be To
Perfect Coal Distribu-
ton Program
(By Aseoclated Press.l }

Ny <4EGoIAANGA AAEoBsy
Washington. Aug. "a. - Govern
ment control Of the coal industry
was made almost complete last night
when President Wilson named DIR. Fl.
A. Garfield, president of williams
college. fuel administrator. fixed
anthracite prices for producers and
jobbers, and set limit on profits to
be made by bituminous wholesalers.
The next and final step will be TO
make regulations for coal distribu-
ton and to fix anthracite and BIZ
luminous retail prices. This will be
done when a distribution program is
perfected and when the federal trade
commission has completed a plan
under which retail profits may be
fixed.
The anthracite prices fixed, effec-
tive Sept. I, are virtually the same
as those now charged at the mines
under a voluntary arrangement made
by producers with the trade commits
sion. The prices that may be charg-
ed by jobbers, however win reduce
present costs sharply. Bituminous
jobbers' profits, too, will be cut by
the new price scale set for wholesale
transactions.
Anthraeite Scale.
The anthracite scale for railroad
owned mines, which will include
practically all the big producers. fol-
White ash. broken, s4.ss. Egg,
$4;45. Stove. $40. Chestnut. $3.50.
Red ash. broken, s475. Egg. s4ss.
Stove. s4s0. Chestnut s4.9O. Pea,
S4.10.
Lykens Valley, broken, IS. Egg.
s4.sO. Stove. $3.50. Chestnut. $3.50.
Pea, S4.35.
Producers who incur the expense
of rescreening anthracite at Atlantic
or lake ports for reshipment by
water, are permitted TO add not more
than cents per ton to the price.
Other producers may charge an
advance of Is cents a ton Of 2,24O
pounds over the figures set for the
railroad owned mines. Those who
incur the expense of rescreening II at
Atlantic o lake ports may add an
additional cents a ton.
Anthracite jobbers delivering coal
at Buffalo and points east Of that
city will be allowed maximum pro-
flt OF 20 cents a ton of 2,240 pounds
and those delivering IL west Of Buff
falo may charge an excess Of 30
cents. The combined gross profits
of any number Of jobbers handling a
shipment must not exceed the limit
of profit set for a single tobber except
that a screening charge Of cents
may be made on water shipments at
Atlantic or lake ports.
Bituminous profits for jobbers are
fixed at is cents a ton OF 1000
pounds. while the same restrictions |
that govern dealings by number, OF
anthracite jobpers apply TO bitumin-
Gus transactions.
The presidents order forbids rail- |
road owned mines from selling TO |
other mines and prohibits dealers
from selling coal produced by rail-
road -oWned mines on a basis OF /
prices fixed for other mines.
The bituminous. jobbers' prices be-
come effective Immediately as do the
mine prices announced
Wednesday night
The coal administration VIII be or /
ganized as soon as DIR. Garfield has
completed his work OF recommending
To the food administration a govern
ment price Tor the 1917 wheat crop.
DR.. Garfield's price -fixing committee,
ii was said yesterday. would be ready
to announce a price within q few
licensing System. 4
DIR. Garfield said last night he |
would institute Licensing system for
ali coal dealings from the mine TO
the retailer, and that IL any prices
were fixed for retailers, the licensing
would be extended 10 cover retail
dealings.
Under the law giving the president
control Of fuels, the government can
take over and operate any minesf
failing To- observe regulations pre-
scribed.
a corporation similar to the wheat
corporation OF the food administra-
ton was suggested last night as
to prepare the govern
nent to handle the situation III the Il
Drice-fIxfng plan does not work out /
The last resort under
The law Is government Fequisttlon Of
The output of all mines and the sale
of ID 10 the public. The organization
of an operating and purchasing cor
poration would provide all the ma
provision Of the law into
operation.
IfI Involves Labor.
The biggest problem ahead of the
soal administration. as seen BY of
aclais who have studied the situav
Ilon. IL the labor situation. The gem L
sral reduction Of prices An the bill
.aminous iielda probably meaps that
fbdr will be diaAppOtnte6 IN many
sqbests for wage increases based on
he high prices producers have been
.eceivlag for their output
II there are strikes and produce
Ion Is reduced the eoEefnHne1t can
ake over and operate fhe niineg bot
I has no 1bwer to eon1hei laboF -
york. OfHciafS of me government
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