Arizona republican., 1917-09-06
Republican A. p. Leased Wirej

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.-Early fix ing of retail coal prices was promised tonight by Dr. H. A. Garfield, the fuel administrator, in a statement out lining the governments coal control policy. Prices will be established for communities with the aid of local com- mittees, into whose hands will be put responsibility for their enforcement.
 Maximum production of coal at prices fair both to the producer and consumer will be the aim of the gov ernment, Dr. Garfield declares. Pro- ducers' prices already fixed will be re- vised where they force efficiently op- erated mines to produce at loss. Op- orators seeking revision of the scale are asked to send in cost of production statistics covering a period of years.
 The fuel administration, Dr. Gar field says, will seek the cooperation of operators, miners, distributors and consumers. Producers are asked, however. to name no committees until Dr. Garfield has had time to select his assistants and to form his organ iZation.
 A plan of apportionment of coal will be worked out. Dr. Garfield announces. by which domestic consumers will ob- tain everywhere fair share of the supply at prices which will reflect those fixed for operators and whole salers by the president.
 The statement follows:
 "The task of the fuel administration is to secure the largest possible pro- duction of fuel at prices just to the producer and reasonable to the con- sumer.
 "The coal situation is briefly this :: The demand has vastly increased. It comes from factories and railroads, not from domestic consumers whose use is normal. Factories and railroads must be kept going and households must be kept warm and well fed, if the country is to be fit for it's great task. In addition to meeting the situ- atfon at home, we must supply coal to our army and navy abroad and consider the needs of our nighbors especially Canada, Cuba and South America and some of the allies whose supply is inadequate.
 Tt is the purpose of the fuel admin istration to encourage production, to utilize as far as possible, all existing agencies. to seek the advice of ex- perts, and the cooperation of opera tors and miners, of industrial and do- mestic consumers, and of all who per form useful service in the produc- tion of coal.
 "Urtil further direction, the follow ing rulings will be observed: The presidents order fixing prices ! became effective for bituminous coal Tuesday evening, August 21, 1917 for anthracite coal, Saturday, September 1, 1917. The presidents order includes export and bunker coal.
 "The prices fixed are provisional They will stand unless changed by or der of the president, for good cause shown. The fuel administration will l examine all applications for revision of prices accompanied by cost state ments presented in writing. These i statements should be verified anC cover at least the years 1915, 1916 ant 1 1917 to date.
 If further explanation is needed the 1 fuel administration will ask complain. arts to appear in person. Tt is not proposed to require eff ciently operated mines to produce coa 1 at a loss, but the burden rests upor 1 applicants to show that the prices l fixed in particular cases are unfair.
 Tt will greatly expedite the work o 1 the fuel administration if associations I