New-York tribune., 1918-01-15
Seeks Proof of Charge
Dealers Are Asking $50
a Ton for Coal
He Starts Court
Inquiry Into Sales
Prosecutor Calls for Facts
That Will Show Greed
of Retailers

All persons having legal evidence
in the nccessares of life have been
invited by District Attorney Swami to
report facts in their complaint to
him. Such facts will be laid before
Judge William H. Wadhams, of Gen
cral Sessions, who will begin sitting
to-day as a committing magistrate in
John Doe" inquiry INTO the subject
of "proGtecring.
According to the District Attorney.
several large retail dealers have been
charging tho poor as high as $40 a
line probably will be heard by Judge
Wadhams to-day The prosecution
will be in charge of Assistant Dis
trict Attorney James +. Smith, who
handled the cases of officials OF the
Dairymen's League who were indicted
for alleged conspiracy to fix prices OF
milk in restraint Of trade.
District Attorney Swami, in Il state
ment issued yesterday, voiced veiled
suggestion to consumers to DIS
continue buying articles advertised
by enormous, brilliant electric light
signs, which cause heavy consumption
of coal.
Mr.. Swann's Statement
The prosecutors aim in starting ms
investigation and his opinions on the
subject are as follows:
This Office proposes to do every
thing that it properly may for the pur-
pose Of aiding the fuel adm nistrator.
Information has reached me that there
is considerable amount Of prollteer-
ing among those coal dealers who sup
ply the poor. I have definite informa-
ton in regard to two firms, and am
gathering further information in re-
gard to them and TO others, and pro-
pose to turn over the information. from
time to time. to the fuel administrators
TO the end that no protiteers shall be
supplied with coal in the future
II invite any one having legal evi
dencc of profitcering by any dealers in
the necessares of life to report the
fact TO this Office. Any dealer in the
necessaries Of life who regards himself
as a respectable member of the COM
munity who is caught protiteering in
any of the necessities Of life must not
complain if call him to this Office and
subject him TO an examination which
exposes his greed and cupidity.
Suggests Hitting the Pocket
'lf every person would determine for
himself whether or not he will Dur-
chase any article advertised by the
brilliant electric light advertisements,
which require Il consumption Of tons
of coal, it probably would result in the
discontinuance OF this reckless waste
and the coal conserved for the neces-
stiles of the people. The only way to
get under the skin Of the exrloiters of
the peoples necessities is to affect
their cash receipts; they have no pa
triotism which rises above the dollar. -
Mr.. Swami said he expected to pro-
ceed against "protitecrs" under Chap
tcrs and of Section 813 of the laws
of 1917, which make it misdemeanol
10 hoard necessaries OF life or to exac,
excessive prices for the same. This
law, he says. gives q sort of "concu.
rent' jurisdiction to state and county
prosecutors with the recent enac t.
ments Of Congress. Where the Federal
authorities have greater power, Mr.
Swami said, evidence secured by hiA
will be turned over to the Federal
prosecutors.