South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-09
INDIANA AND MICHIGAN STATE HAPPENINGS

taken care Of through an agreement
with the coal operators. who viii
form a pool, probably TO be direct
ed by some one 20 be named by
Gov. Goodrich. and through il make
distribution Of the supply 20 all the
score of big state institutions at the
price fixed by Pres't Wilson on In
diana coal.
Big public utilities also have been
able 70 settle the problems hing
Ing on their long-delayed coal con-
tracts for the winter. as have other
big businesses. which use enough
coal 10 make il worth while gor
them 20 pay the freight charges
themselves and buy the coal direct
from the mines in wholesale quaint
ties
But the small consumer IL at the
mercy OF the retailers Of the state
and so far they have been merci-
less.
Retailers Offer Excuses.
The retailers give as their excuse
just as they are doing in practical
E " ever, other state in the Union
that they have stocked up their coal
yards with thousands and thousands
Of tons OF coal at the top prices,
which formerly prevailed at the
mines and that they cannot now
sell this high priced coal az retail
prices commensurate with the mine
prices fixed by the president
These retailers. however, do not
realize that any move Of concession
on their part would mean a rush of
the buying public TO relieve them Of
what now is their tied-up capital.
while a continuance of the present
conditions Of defiance simply viii
make the public hold out TO the last
moment and finally force the fed
eral government TO take action TO
fix retail prices. which will pertain
not only 20 coal subsequently or
dered from the mines. but 20 coal
now lying in the yards of the retail
dealers.
Up to United States.
Something must be done very
quickly by the federal coal director,
is the consensus of opinion here. If
any relief is TO come to the state
Of Indiana And the Hoosiers. who
are located within a days haul of
the coal fields, cannot understand
how consumers in states farther
removed from coal fields. possibly
avoid famine conditions this winter
% arhfncr In
effect than any condition the coun-
try previously has faced.
Food Situation Important.
The food situation. too, is Of such
Importance in this state at this time
II ranks almost on a par with the
coal troubles. Hoosiers have canned
and preserved and dried food pro-
ducts till their tongues are hanging
out but the prices OF staples re-
and on the markets.
Sugar. beans. bread. flour. all
meats. potatoes and other veget-
ables and similar products, such as
butter and eggs are fast becoming
prohibitive in price 20 the average
saIaried man. How the man with a
! large family is weathering the
storm. since his salary, or wages.
as the case may be, has not been
increased commensurately with the
price increases is a conundrum that
public officials just now are trying
to see through. Internationally II
is causing unrest and the war OF
course, could become more popular
every hour if some means we're
found 10 cut down the tremendous
prices.
Hatred for Profiteers
In this state there Is relatively
little anti-war talk nOw-at least
above-board- People are heroically
girding up their hearts for the sac
rifices they must make. in blood and
money. They are not whimpering
over the trials they already are fac
ing. But slowly there is a stern
determination arising-among all
classes. except those who are prof
iteers. who, unquestionably. have
been and are taking advantage Of
the present situation 10 fatten on
the needed surplus of a war-ridden
people.
Already throughout this state. the
commission man, the producer of
food stuffs for the market and the
retailer is becoming an object Of in
tense hatred in each community, for
the simple reason that-in practi-
cally all cases-his excuses and rea-
sons for the high prices are fiimsy.
and the people see these men buy
ing high priced automobiles, where
before they were content TO use
their trucks when they went a
merry making.
1t is 10 be hoped that patriotism
will strike a little more deeply into
some OF the present plethoric bank
accounts. state officials are saying.
II il does not. II is not a far cry TO
special session Of the Indiana
! Legislature. which probably would
do a great many different things.
GOSHEN-The ruling of the war