Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-14
PRICE OF
ANTHRACITE COAL
Fuel Administration Announces
Drop of 30 Cents a Ton
after April L.
Washington, March 8.-Ar

Washington, March SAN average re-
duction of 80 cents ton in the retail price
of all anthracite coal sold for domestic
use between next April and September 1, |
was announced tonight by the fuel adj
mintration, together with regulations gov |
erning the retail distribution of all coal
for the year beginning the first of next
month The rules are designed particu- |
larly to prevent boarding and insure the
filling of all domestic needs for next win
ter during the summer months.
Although no reduction in the retail price
of btuminous coal to consumers was
made, the fuel administrator to-day began
announcement of revised prices for such
coal at the mines, the first made public
showing sharp reductions in Colorado.
Utah. wyoming and Montana. Prices Tor
other States will be announced as soon as
determined. The idea is for general re-
vision before the beginning of the coal
year on April /.
In explaining the reduction in the price
of anthracite, the administration said the
bulk of this coal Is used for domestic
consumption. The 80 cents reduction was
determined upon, the statement SAID, III
lieu of the reduction heretofore volun-
tarily offered by dealers to encourage
needs, and which ranged from 90 cents
| in April to 10 cents in August
| at Is felt" the statement said. that
! this reduction will be fairer to the pub
| lie inasmuch as coal Is expected to be
ordered in April in such quantities that
it will prove impossible to make all de-
| liveries during that month or for some
| time to come.
| "Under n sliding scale of reductions
| it would be difficult il not impossible to
treat all consumers equally, even though
their orders had been filled upon the
same date, while with an average reduc-
ton extending over the entire period, all
| consumers are treated alike"
While recommending and encouraging
the purchase and storage of domestic
coal as early as possible in order to insure
delivery and assist the railroads by effect
ing delivery as much as possible before
next winter, the administration says 1t
is determined to prevent any undue hoard
ing To that end the retail distribu-
ton plan includes a system of reports
on deliveries by retailers, who will be
prohibited from delivering in excess Of
the normal requirements of the customer
AS further safeguard at the discre-
ton Of the local fuel administrators. each
customer ordering coal may be required
to submit a certified statement giving de-
tails of his requirements, his supply on
hand and the amount he has ordered from
various dealers. Certification of false
statement would be made subject to prose-
cution under the Lever act, which inn
poses fine of 5000 or two years i'm
prsonment.
THE REGULATIONS.
The regulations are as follows:
A-Until further notice no domestic con-
sumer of coal or coke shall purchase. re-
lceive or otherwise take possession Of. more
coal or coke than is required for his
actual and necessary requirements prior
to March 81, 1919. If such consumer al
ready has quantity on hand he shall
receive only such additional amount as
shall make up his actual and necessary
requirements prior to that date.
B-No person, firm. association OF
corporation. whether acting alone OF
in conjunction with others, shall. di.
rectly or indirectly provide any domes.
. tic consumer Of coal or coke with more
, coal or coke before March 81. 1919
: than is necessary. with the amount al
= ready on hand to meet the actual ant
necessary requirements of such con
sumer prior to that date.
Con and after April 1. 1918. NJ
person, firm, association or corpora
ton shall sell or deliver coal to
domestic consumer who does not frs
: furnish to the person selling or de
u livering such coal, statement whicl
the consumer declares in writing to b
true, and which specifies % tn
amount Of coal the consumer has o.
hand, CD the amount Of coal he ha
on order and the name Of the perso
. from whom ordered, CD the amount O
l., 4, 81, h
- ending March 81, 1918. and 90 tn
> amount of coal needed to meet hi
- actual and necessary requirement
prior to March 81. 1919; provided. how
ever, that this regulation may b
modified by any State fuel ADMINISTERS
tor within his own State under sue
- circumstances and conditions as h
" may deem proper
: Don and after April /, 1915 and unit
It further notice. no retail dealer SHALL vi
n less authorized by the State fuel admins
E traitor. deliver or cause to be delivered
l. any domestic consumer more than two
l. thirds of his normal annual requirement
If of anthracite coal until each domestic col
sumner who has placed his order with sal
dealer and is willing to receive delivery I
p. the same has received two-thirds OF n
D. normal requirements for the year endiI
" March 81. 1919; provided. however, thu
is orter1 Of six tons or less may be file
10 in full.
ID E-Carload or barge load lots shall NJ
a be delivered to a single domestic col
~ sumner or to a group Of consumers. exec
id with the permission of the local fuel a.
10 ministrator.
I'd F-Dealers shall file. with the local fu
~ administrator. on the first Of each mon
is a. statement containing the names al
ne addresses OF consumers to whom deliveri
ed have been made during the previous mon
or and the quantity delivered to each.
re ANY dealer or consumer who violat
ut the foregoing regulations will be subje
d. to the penalties prescribed by the Lev
oy act"
to