Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-06
GARFIELD ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR
LOCAL COMMITTEES TO AID
GOVERNMENT.
NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE
MADE WHERE JUSTIFIED
Operators Informed That Prices Fixed
BY President Are Not Arbitrary
Burden Of Proof Of Injustice Placed
Upon Applicants For Relief-Loeai
Committees to Supervise Retail
Trade.

prices will be determined following in
vestigation by local committees to be
organized throughout the country.
This was announced last night by
Fuel Administrator Harry A. Gar
field, in the first formal statement de.
filming his policies issued since his APP
pointment by President Wilson. The
local committees will make recon-
mendaiions TO the fuel administrators
regarding a proper basis for retail
sales and later will superintend the en-
forcement Of the regulations pre-
scrised.
Domestic consumers are promised
not only fair prices but equitable dis
tr!bution OF the available supply OF
coal. The fuel administration rs work
ing on a plan OF apportionmeni.
Changes Are Likely.
Mr.. Garfield assured coal operations
who have protested against President
Wilson's scale O. prices that mooifi-
cations would be made wherever JUS
tIred.
He made il known that a scheme
IS being worked gu; by which oper-
ators VIII suffer no losses II later ad-
justments OF prices are MADE On a
higher scale. He suggested that all
contracts be made under the operators
and tobbers' scales already announced
with a provision for settlement in case
Of subsequent adjustment
The fuel administrator made 1t plain
that the burden 81 proof rests upon
the complaining operators
Mr.. Ga<ieId's Statement.
Mr.. Garfieids statement follows:
The task Of the fuel adninist ration
IL 70 secure -he largest possible pro-
cuciion Of fuel a; prices JUST 10 the
producer and reasonable 10 the con-
sumner.
The coal situation is briefly this:
Tire demand mas vastly Increased. II
comes from factories and railroads.
not from domestic consumers, whose
use Is normal Factories and rail-
roads must be kept going and house,
holds must be kept warm and well
fed |. the country Is to be fit for It's
great task.
We care not forget that We are at
wa, and that the cause we have al
a bupdant production and wide dStr!-
button Of coal. We rnsssi produce all
we can and distribute according -
need.
Must Aid Army and Navy.
In addition 10 meeting the situation
a, home. 1e nust supply coal to ous
army and navy abroad and consider
the neaas Of our neighsors. especially
Canada. Cuba and South america.
and come Of the allies whose supply 70
1t ie ;he purpose Of the fuel admin
lstration 20 encourage production 10
utilize. as far as possible. ali existing
agencies. 20 seek the advice Of ex-
per-s. and the corporation 81 opera
tors and miners. Of industrial and do
nestle consumers, and of all who per-
form a useful service in the production
and distribution Of coal.
Rulings to Be Observed.
Until further direction, the follow
ing rulings Will be observed:
q. The presidents order fixing prices
became effective for bttuminons coal.
evening. Aug. n, 1917: for
anthracite coal. Saturday, Sept. 10.
1917. The presidents order includes
export and bunker coal.
q. The prices hxed are provisional.
TheY viii stand unless changed by or
der Of the president, for good cause
shown. The fuel administration Will
examine all applications for revision
Of prices accompanied by cost state
meuts presented IN writing. THESE
should be verified and
cover at least the Year, 1915, 1918 and
1917 10 date.
If further legislation Is needed the
fuel admin4tration win ask complain
ants 10 appear in person.
Burden on Applicants.
1t Is not proposed TO require eff
cientiy operated mines 70 produce coai
at a loss, but the burden rests upon
applicants TO show that the prices fixed
81 particular cases are unfair.
q. II will greatly expedite The w'rk
Of the fuel administration II >assocsa-
tons whether OF operators, miners Or
industries affected. would postpone he
holding Of meetings for the appoint
r.ent OF committees TO confer with the
fuel administrator or for the purpose
of asking action concerning priees ana
wages until be has had opportunity
10 select his adyisons and hear from
those who believe themselves likely 70
be adversely affected. Prompt atten-
.:or; vii; be gsYen 70 all cosnynnnica-
t!ons.
viii Aid Producers.
Il. Plans are under confederation
and viii soon be announced, whereby
production may continue without al
fectiox Adversely either the producer
or the purchaser psnding the exaani-
nation Of applications Tor revision Of
pr.ces. Until this plan IL announced
II 10 suggested that sales and deliveries
be made At the prices fixed, with a
TO the effect that IL prices
are readjusted settlements shall be
made accordingly.
Il. FOR the purpose N determining
q oroper basis for saIes by retail deal
err. local committees will be organ
.ysd thr.ou4 the country. Each COM
m1ttee Viii snyestjga&e and report upon
~ local xitus4son and advise concern
fnx the resolutions TO be estabiAhed.
whsn the price is nxed, the local COM
m,ftse viii be asked TO Sppe1ntend its
enforcement - - - :
~, Shsss ~ Consumers.
~. The fuel administration " pre-
ssslux 4 plan Of spportionment which
.,fsI secufe to Honssst.c consumers tneir
~, st,sss Of, the cod supply and ~
Cr.cIs Witch viii reject the prices
;,srstoSsre promulgated ~ the pfesi-
dent.
~. cOntSxcts relating 70 bifuminois
rnaI nasAs s,efcre the proclamation of
&c. ~. s.rasl4er4 "a Ang. III and contracts