Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-03
FUEL ADMINISTRATOR WEBSTER
THREATENS TO SEIZE IOWA
II MINES.
MUST OBEY ORDER OR
GOVERNMENT WILL SEIZE
Minss to Be Required to Fill Orders at
Minss at Wagon Rate Of - Per Ton
-Ali Des Mones Mines Held to Be
Subject to Rulins-ought to Be De-
livered to Consumer For SIS.

Des Moines, Jan. S.-The govern
ment's ruling establishing price of 81
for coal at the mouth Of wagon mines
is to be enforced, State Fuel Admin
traitor Webster said yesterday, and de-
clared that mines would be required to
sell coal to retail consumers.
All coal mines within the city limits
of Des Moines he designates as wagon
mines. There are seven of them.
If mines deliver coal to consumers,
delivery charges shall not exceed 81
for delivery within Des Moines, from
wagon mines within the limits Of the
city, a statement given out by the
state fuel administrator says.
Webster declared that he will use
whatever authority he has to compel
wagon mines to sell coal to retail con-
sumers. if they do not comply with his
order.
Course Not Outlined.
He did not say along what lines COM
pulsory action II necessary would move.
Wagon mines have been refusing 70
sell coal at the mouths Of mines to re-
tail consumers.
J. T. Mulvaney, a member Of the To-
cal fuel board and leader in the fight
TO reduce the price Of coal in Des
Moines, characterized the fuel admin
{ strator's order as a bubble"
He could not see how the order will
change the coal situation. he declared.
Mines viii Evade 1t.
''The mines will not have any coal
to SELL" he commented upon the state
hot 10 al ,1p1ar
tract, the retail consumers, who try to
buy coal from them, will be Informed.
Mr.. Wehster's statement says that
all mines within the city are designated
as wagon mines and shall sell coal to
all purchasers without discrimination
at the mouth Of the mine at 81.
THAT Is simply saying there shall be
no discrimination. There will be no
coal sold.
"One-seventh Of the coal output Of
the state Of Iowa IS dug practically
within the city limits of Des Moines.
Would Sell for IS Ton.
THAT coal sold at the mouths OF
mines for - and delivered for not to
exceed 81 within Des Moines. which
Mr.. Websters statement implies he
thinks the mines will do, would make
considerable Of a dent in the price OF
$575 coal in Des Moines.
"If they do, what his statement i'm
piles he expects them to do, they Will
be going into competition with them
SLEEVES to sell IS coal when they might
be selling for sbT5.
ut Is just another subterfuge Of the
!. coal dealers to make it appear thai
they are selling coal at a reasonable
! price when the only price they are sells
ing at Is s5.75."
49, Order 10 Faulty.
I The state fuel administrators order
does not ak a maximum price that may
be charged by wagon mines without
the city for delivery Of coal sold at the
mouths Of mines. within the city.
1t does say that the price Of coal
sold at the mouths Of wagon mines
outside of the city is not to exceed
81.
Webster said that he would adjust
the question Of delivery charges for de-
livery from these mines as soon as it
became apparent that there was need.
4 Offers to subscribe for stock in a
coal company, to be organized by citi-
zens of Des Moines to furnish coal to
J retain CCNSu1ntTS Vi VIC thlIle CITY 1Oi
S4.25 a ton are being received in great
number by Mr.. Mulvaney. who sug-
gested the organization Of such a COM
pany
May Call Mass Meeting.
He has received many requests that
there be public mass meeting called
to take definite steps toward the or
ganization Of a citizens coal company,
Mr. Mulvaney said yesterday.
Mayor MacVicar had part Of car
load of coal in the Rock Island yards
yesterday to sell to retail consumers at
S425 ton. He expected to have cor
load for sale Thursday, Mayor Mac
Vicar said.
The fuel administrators order re-
cognizes the right to retail dealers to
charge mot to exceed s5.75 a ton for
coal delivered within the consumers
bin in Des Moines."
Iowa Postal Appointments.
Special to Times-RepubHcan.
Washington, Jan. 3.-The following