Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-18
INTER- PUSHES PURE
] COAL CRUSADE HERE
h1otifies Dealers Who Decline
Inspection They Will Be
Prosecuted
|spECIAL AGENT is BUSY
ADMINISTRATION Advises All to Store
Coal in Summer for Winter
Use

Inspection of big coal yards here for
Inferior hard coal was pushed today by
william Potter Federal fuel admin
htrator for Pennsylvania. with the
threat Of prosecution for refusal of
dealers TO allow inspection.
Reports that a big coal firm here
would liquidate because of the inroads
made on its profits by the coal tangle
brought a statement from the fuel ad.
mnistrator's office that in such an
tvent the business would be taken over
W the Government
"If any dealer feels that there Is not
snough profit in the business. his plant
| can be taken over by the Government
| By virtue Of the Lever act" it was said
| The section of the act applicable to such
situation is as follows:
IF. In the opinion of the President,
tny producer or dealer fails or neglects
the conform to such prices or regula-
tions or to conduct his business efficiently
under the regulation and control Of
the President or conducts 1t In man
ner prejudicial to the public interest
then the President is hereby authorized
and empowered to take over the plant
cf the said producer and all appurte-
nances thereof belonging to the said pro-
ducer and to operate or direct to be
operated in such a manner and through
such agencies as he may direct through
out the period of the war.
Lightless nights continue in force. al.
Though heatless days have been elimi-
tAI Ill .t.,..
kby Francis A. Lewis. chairman of the
Philadelphia coal committee. The light
less night regulation bans all electric
signs and electric display every night
except Saturday night, when they may
Ne lighted between 7:45 and II p m.
The big illumlnated-sign companies,
hard hit by the order, presented a spe-
cial petition asking its revocation. Mr..
Potter directed them to summarize and
submit their claims. a decision prob
ably will be handed out this week.
As every one is back at work today,
The first "business-as-usual Monday" in
hve weeks. the fuel administration is
working extra hard also, enforcing in
spection Of anthracite offered to do
nestle consumers.
Several dealers have been accused of
selling inferior grades. Mr. Potter has
notified all dealers who have refused to
comply with the order for coal inspec-
tion that twenty-four hours will he
granted them to change their minds
or be prosecuted
Sherman A. Cuneo, Federal trade
agent attached to the fuel administra-
fon. who has been conducting the in
spections. will visit two of the larger
Philadelphia yards today to inspect
Ata I,.-.., 4 H..
Wheat coal made by Cuneo In one Phila-
dsphia yard showed only forty-three
pounds to be combustiblc, the balance
being moisture and pure ash. 1t Is to
nop such practice. Mr.. Potter said. that
tne inspections are being made.
I. The recent warm SPELL administra-
uon officials said, not only enabled the
snpment here of sufficient coal to break
me famine. but enabled many dealers to
procure a supply that allowed consumers
more than thirty-day stock. in addition
cerine for nonessential industries.
Tae Emergency Aid positively will
eohtinue its coal station in City Hall
~. Lewis said. adding:
There are still so many cases of III.
4 ness and where coal Is really needed
snat ! have ordered the continuance OF
snipments Of coal to me personally tina,
nsa been ordered stopped The station
wiz take care of 400 orders a day"
The police system of reporting empty
coai bins proved itself failure after
ess than three days operation, 1t was
conceded today.
~ state Fuel Administrator Potter Is
preparing for the conference of tn,
cnairmen Of the county coal committees
q western Pennsylvania. similar tc
saturday's conference here. which will
De held In Altoona the latter part of thi.
week Mr., Potter will preside at the
meeting to be attended by representa-
yves Of the national fuel administration
program of coal distribution like tina
eutllned here will be drawn UP.