Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-05

BILE anthracite operators and from the
miners representatives that this will be
year of unusually large production
"The commission IL assured that there Is
no reason why May prices should not con-
tinue for the season and be subject to the
usual summer discounts, forty cents per ton
in May, thirty cents In June, twenty cents
In July and ten cents In August.
WARNING AGAINST PANIC
"The commission believes that the Gus.
tom normally followed by the majority Of
retailers of passing the benefit Of these
discounts on TO the consumer should be
followed by the whole trade.
IF the public is again so deceived as
to indulge in scramble for coal such as
occurred last winter, the favorable Stu
alton above reported may be nullihed A
demand for four months coal in the single
month of May will be most deplorable. IT,
on the other hand, purchases are made As
usual. there will be no disturbance and
small chance for spectators to fleece the
public. The best thing that can happen
now Is for every one to buy as has been
his custom in former years. Many points
must build up their winter supply during
the summer when water transportation is
available Transportation will thereby be
relieved of undue burdens and the coal
will be speedily distributed during the
summer against the needs of the winter
During the coal panic in the winter of
1916 and 1917 one of the greatest factors
in the distressing and intolerable conditions
was the unwarranted and indefensble
practice of using coal cars for warehouses;
Coal was held in cars by spectators. while
shortage of cars was alleged as a cause of
fuel shortage.
THE commission calls your attention
also to other activities of spectators in
anthracite coal who perform no useful serv-
ice in the distribution of the coal, but who
insert themselves as a disturbing and clog
unearned profits are often much greater
than those enjoyed by either miner or op-
orator or honest dealer. These profits. in
many instances more than 100 per cent,
were paid by the consumer, together with
enormous bills for car demurrage.
within the scope of its powers this
commission will continue to exert every
influence to avert the threatened recurrence
Of the conditions obtaining in the winter
of l9l6-19l7.
"The commission will expose any un.
scrupuIous wholesaler. Jobber or retailer
who seeks to miSead the public into IA be-
lief that exorbitant prices are justifable
or that there IL any necessity to join In a
frenzied bidding to secure immediate deliv-
cry for far-future needs.
''The commission will ask the co-opera-
ton Of the patriotic newspapers of the coun-
try to the end that the public may be kept
constantly informed of what in justice and
reason 1t should be expected to pay for an
thracite and as to the volume of the produc-
ton and stocks on hand existing at such
times. The commission has assurances from
the anthracite operators that in case of local
shortages being called to their attention by
the commission the operators will relieve
such local stringency Immediately.
REASONABLE PRICE
1.-THE agencies which handle and dis
tribute coal after it leaves the mine and be-
fore It comes into the hands of the con-
commission, through numerous representa-
tves, that they desire and expect only fair
and reasonable profit for the useful labor
and service which they perform.
"The fair retail price at any place is the
price at the mouth of the mine plus freight,
plus the reasonable dealers profit and cost
of local delivery.
The May price at the mine of ordinary
white ash anthracite. allowing for 40 per
cent discount, is approximately as follows:
Egg, gross ton (2240 pounds), s4.05 /;
net ton (2000 pounds). 1851; stove, gross
ton, 81 80; net ton, 1884; chestnut, $t,4O |;
net ton. s393
LAS to the price of coal to the consumer
for the coming season. this leaves two
problems for further action either by the
Congress, of the United States by some
authority to be designated by Congress:
First. The elimination of the element
of speculation and the charging of an eX-
orbitant price or the Withholding from use
OF this necessity of life.
Second the imperative need of keeping
the coal moving from the point of its pro-
duction to its final destination and of pre-
venting coal cars from being held out of
use for the purpose Of speculative storage"