Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-25
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE;
NO MORE COAL FAN|NE:s
Jobbers and Retail Dealers Adjust
Ing Themselves to New Or
der OF Things.
MUCH LEARNED BY EXPERIENCE
Mistakes of Last Fall and Winter to
he Avoided-The Coal Jobbcr and
Ills Functions-{'ucl Administra-
ton Regulates" Him.

Richmond learns from experience and
profits by its new found knowledge.
Already steps are being taken to avoid
ahother coal famine next fail and win
tor. To that end the cool jobbcrs and
lao retailers are making careful
study of the rules and regulations laid
GOWN by the fuel administration.
some time ago the United States fuel
administration announced that en- ana
after April l the business Of jobbers
ana their compensation would be gov
crhed by new regulations. which rcgu-
i"tions. as printed. were lengthy and
little confusing, and further ex-
n!ahation OF them became necessary.
IN mat explanation IL was stated that
under the old system various abuses
sprang up which rendered a change in
me rules necessary. in the judgment OF
the administration. Among these
abuseS was the organization Of ar
mated companies solely for the pur-
pose OF collecting the jobbcrs' margin.
the swapping OF coal" and other
hct!tious operations which Increased
me cost OF coal TO the consumer. There
is no evidence that such combinations
existed Ia liichmond. but those existing
elsewhere may have hand In Rich
mond business
The fuel administration took pains
to explain that ii recognized that the
Jobber is essential TO the conduct of
the coal business" and merely UNDER
TOOK TO determine the best means of
assuring him i reasonable conpcnsa-
ZION for his services, wallc at the same
TINE preventing improper practices.
any intention TO eliminate the iegiti-
mate jobhcrs was disclaiiued.
In accordance with these announce
meHis. administrator Garfield recon-
inendcd to the President the issuance
OF the proc!amat ton, which was issued.
providing for the licensing Of joDbers
~ the fuel administration. kcgula-
tons to carry out the plan have been
adopted and copies OF the same. which
recognize the tIyofoll function of the
)ohbcr, have Just been received by the
richmond coal dealers
Under them The lobbcr may, as here
ioiore. purchase ana resell Goa! for his
own account. Whcn he acts in this
capacity his pro:it is limited only by
the regulation that he may not sell az
any price in excess OF tho government
mine price. ana that he may not make
an? other profit directly or indirectly
on coal purchased for his own account
on the other hand. performing his
function OF rendering service To the
consumer or retail dealer in procuring
''.''' nc may ~ il'll ''' mas ''f.I az =
tho-izcd by the dealer or consumer. buy
for them at any price not In excess OF
the government mine price: ana those
who choose to employ him for this pgr-
pose may compensate him by paying
him purchasing commission not 20
exceed in any case the reasonable
llini, fixed in the regulations as the
maximum compensation for that SER
vice. In this transaction he may not
make any profit directly or indirectly
other than his purchasing commission.
These commissions are. briefly: Is
cents on bituuinous 20 cents on an
,hracite coal IN the Fast and 80 cents
IN the West and per cent Of the de-
iivcrcd price on smithing coal.