The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-10
COAL DEALERS ASKED FOR THE
 FUEL DIRECTOR Alaska Coal Men Felt Crit icism for High Prices; Asked Government
 to Control. TO GET JOB After Administration Is Dr.. qanized Alaska Will
 Be Separate Fuel
 District.
ALASKAN TO GET JOB

 istrator for Alaska was the result of a request from those engaged in the coal business in Alaska, according to information reaching Juneau. It is said that the coal dealers of Al aska have felt the pressure of criti- cism resulting from constantly rising prices. and they asked the Federal government to take charge or the matter of fixing prices and proflts in self defense. The result was the addition of Alaska to the field Of Fuel Administrator David Whitcomb, of the State of Washington. Later i an administrator will probably be named for Alaska.
 The Seattle Times contains the | following on the subject:
 David Whitcomb, fuel administra- | tor for Washington, has been given temporary control of the fuel situa- tion in Alaska Photographic notice of the appointment was received to- day
 The appointment of Whitcomb is l interpreted by the Fuel Administra- tion's office to mean that before the next winter arrives an Alaska official will be named to take ac- tive charge of the work in the North ern Territory In the meantime Whitcomb will organize the local 1 transportation and purchasing ma chinery to guarantee Alaskans full supply of fuel during the coming winter and will take steps to gath CT data on the amount of coal that Alaska can be depended upon to pro- vide itself.
 "Alaskans and some of the coal dealers of the North are reported to be anxious to have the fuel business in the Territory come under the jur- isdiction of the National Fuel Ad ministration. The coal dealers whc have asked for supervision explain that the costs of transportation and handling coal, coupled with the risks of the business, are so great tda' fuel must command a high price.
 "The coal dealers point out that they are made the target of continu ous criticism and they feel that ii the Federal government makes an inquiry and establishes maximum prices. much of the worry of the abused coal barons will disappear The coal dealers have no fear thai they will be put out of business by , the regulation.
 "Whitcomb still is in Washington D. c. in conference with the Fuel Ad ministration and probably will not re turn to Seattle for two weeks ol more.
 ''It is planned by the Fuel Admin istration to make an energetic cam paign in support of the recommenda tion that consumers purchase theil winters supply early.
 Since the Washington mines vii be called upon to supply largel field next winter it is pointed ou that the mines must operate neare' to capacity during the summer thar they ever have done in the past. l the coal mines are not kept going the Washington field cannot fill thu kdemands that will be made on it dur ing the coming winter.
 "The Alaska coal demand will re Quire heavy shipments from Seattle during the summer and where possi ble the use of Washington instead 0 imported coaIs will be urged. l WaShiuptOn coal can find bettel market in the North it will serve tt give extra work and permit the mines to keep up their organizations during the quiet summer months