Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-05
COAL MEN TALK
PRICES IN SECRET
At Close Of Meeting Presi-
dent of Exchange Expresses
Concern for Consumers
MAY PAY TOO M u CHI
Supply Now on Hand Only 20
Per Cent of Quantity Stored
a Year Ago
MAY PAY TOO MUCH

Profound, concern lest the coal consumers
=, philadelphia should pay more for coal
,hon IS really necessary was expressed to-
day by John Lloyd. president OF the
vvI,liam NJ Lloyd Company and president OF
.ba philadelphia Coal Exchange, at the con-
c,us,on of a meeting held In tho assembly
roon OF the Chamber of Commerce by the
,ventv members Of the executive committe
Of the exchange
Absolute secrecy attended the conference,
Al ouestions as to the nature Of the opinions
.Vnressed at the meeting being referred to
A. IIovd for answer. Mr.. Lloyd refused
90 saw what opinions had been expressed,
asserting merely that the meeting had been
called because the dealers did not UNDER
stand how they could meet the regulations
iaJd down by Fuel Director Garfield as to
coal nrices, and that they had called the
attorney for the coal exchange, j. T. Nc
FarIand into consultation, so that they
might be advised how they could meet the
demands legally
No conclusion VAS reached. MI. Lloyd
said Another meeting will I've held in the
near future. probably next week. Mr.. Lloyd
could not say whether counsers opinion
would be ready by that time or not
SMALL STOCK NOW ON HAND
When asked whS, the present supplies of
hard coil in Philadelphia are Mr.. Lloyd
said:
"There is probably not more than 35
per cent as much hard coal now in the
yards as there was a year ago"
Having said this, he Immediately ex-
pressed concern over the effect such state
ment might have upon the public If it should
be published.
"I wouldn't print that If 1 were you
ne said. 1T might lead the public to think
AI.aN 10 MAJ IL.
there might be a rush to buy coal If
stothing is said about It, It may be that
1ough coal can be brought into the city
b.. the time 1t is really needed TO fiji or
de 5 as they come"
He was asked If the dealers did not want
to sell the coal they now have on hand, be-
fore the coal on which Fuel Controller Gar
field has set lower price ut the mines can
come into the market He replied by look
ing at his questioner with a gaze which
seemed full of pity for the questioner's
density.
Mr. Lloyd declared with considerable re-
sentiment that it was impossible to look to
the newspapers for a fair presentation Of
the facts in the coal situation. He declined
to present them again, saying that he had
done on previous occasions only to have
his remarks wholly garbled He asserted
that the regulations issued by Fuel Admin
istrator Garfield were not reproduced i'm the
newspapers in the form in which they
came to the coal dealers themselves, but
refused to point out what the alleged dis
crepancy was.
1t was rumOred that the secret meeting
held today would discuss the dealers costs
Of handling coal, so that retailers might he
atS Sed as to what arguments they might
mb,e in reply to demands for lower prices,
but Mr.. Lloyd denied emphatically that any
such discussion had taken place. Tho
meeting lasted fully two hours Mr.. Lloyd
said that one copy of Doctor Garfield in
structions had been received by the ex-
change, and that copies of it would be sent
out to the $50 retail dealers of the city to-
morrow. 1t would not be accompanied by
any suggestions from the committee, he
said.
In his first statement as fuel director
OF Pennsylvania, William Potter pointed
out that more coal must be mined and
more expeditions transportation facilities
must be furnished for the, commodity.
PoTTER's STATEMENT
The following is the statement given out
by Mr.. Potter:
president Wilson and Doctor Garfield
have insisted upon appointing me to the
position of Federal Fuel Administrator OF
pennsylvania and, as is the duty of every
soldier, have accepted service.
II fully realize the difficulties are great
and that l have but little knowledge con-
cernlng my new duties Until | am better
Informed as to the situation, l shall have
but little to say to the public / can say,
however, that there is a feeling throughout
the country that there will be q shortage
OF coal this winter unless early preventive
effort is taken. There must be more coal
mined; this is up to the miner and Sper-
ator. Coal Must have more expeduious
transportation, and this is up to the trans
portation companies. With more coal at
the mines and improved transportation
Facilities, we must also teach tine conserva-
uon of this precious necessity in a more
scientific handling VI it in the power plant
and domestic cellar.
am expecting cheerful and patriotic
cooperation In every direction.
We are in holy war for the cause of
Worldwide humanity and America will be
the decisive factor in it. In the balance to
END It, food and fuel will be the final weight
IN addition our own people must have heat
this coming winter.
The coal question touches every one
therefore, miner, OPERATOR distributor
wholesaler, retailer and consumer must
JON hands In helping us to conserve the
iuel resources of the country so that the
american people and our allies may have.
AT reasonable prices the fuel they nee /
and are entitled to-
snail take few days to arrange my
P'IEate aftairs and to obtain an office, and |
= snail then hope to devote my entire time
10 the service of my country"