Evening journal., 1917-08-25
Low PRICED COAL,
Garfield PROMISES
Trade Board Working Out
Schedule for Sales 10
Consumers
MAY TAKE OVER
OUTPUT OF MINES

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-The Gov
enments grip on anthracite prices was
frightened yesterday by the decision Of
Harry A. Garfield, the new coal dictator,
TO name the prices at which the retail
ers may sell The prices at the mine
and the iobbers profit we're fixed on
Thursday by President Wilson.
That the assumption of absolute con-
troll of the coal situation will result in
q reduction of price TO the consumer Of
household coal is the assertion of Mr..
Garfield. In this view he is at variance
with large retailers in New York, Phila-
delphia and Chicago, who were quoted
yesterday as doubling whether it would
effect any saving to the man in the
home
''The Government will exercise such
a control he said, "that il viii hot be
true that coal will be bought by the
consumer at 10 reduction from former
prices.
"lf any one thinks that / would be
satisfied with fixing prices at the mine
and determining the profit the jobber
may have. leaving the retailer free TO
charge as much as the public will stand
for. he is greatly mistaken. The coal
administration is going TO see the prin-
ciple OF control is applied all along the
line from the time the coal is mined
until II reaches the consumer.
"All the machinery made available
viii be used TO enforce the prices named
yesterday by the President and TO Sc
cure the benefit desired under the act.
The Government will not allow itself to
be thwarted in this purpose
Mr.. Garfield indicated he would advo-
cate action as drasticAs taking over the
output Of tho mines II the fixing of
prices did not accomplish the results
intended. With his expert assistants
Mr.. Garfield as soon as ne iIs finished
the task of setting a price for wheat
assigned him by Herbert G. Hoover will
attack the coal problem.
He will effect control by system Of
universal licenses. Jobber middleman
and retailer ali will have to take out
license which. if the holder does not
sell at the prices prescribed by the Gov
ernmcnt, will be revoked, putting the
offender out Of business.
Uneconomical practices in traasporta-
zion and distribution will he eliminated
as far as possible. II is the purpose of
Mr., Garfield 20 do away with unneces-
saTy hauls. For example, there will be
no moro hauling Of western coal cast,
while eastern coal at the same time is
being hauled westi Buyers win be
forced TO buy in their own districts.
Dealers and operators will not be able
TO wriggle ont OF complying with the
rrice regulations On the plea Of con-
tractuai arrangements unless thev are
able to establish that the contracts are
bona fide and not entered into for the
purpose Of evasion.
Each possible remedy under the bill
VIII be studied and we Will he ready
TO put into force any Of them that NAV
be required" said Mr.. Garfield i'm dis
eussing the difficulties Of the govern
ments new undertaking.
He admitted that the enforcement OF
retail prices might force many dealers
out OF business, but he contended that
these would be the "inenlcients." and
not necessarily The small dealers. The
Federal Trade Commission now is
working on a schedule Of retail prices
which viii be submitted to Mr.. Car
field. These will be estimated on the
price paid by the retailer plus the re-
tailer's overhead and other expenses
and a fair profit.
IL manifestly Will he necessary TO
strike an average on the operating ex-
penses for the retailer Other things
being equal, This would fay5r the
larger dealer and tend 10 crowd out
the small dealer, who would be IN
able TO operate with as close economy.
lt is the opinion Of Mr.. Garfield. how
ever, that this principally win hit con-
Germs which are being conducted on
poor business principles and which re-
quire for their maintenance a larger
margin over the price paid TO the
jObber.