Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-03-22
Next Winters Coal Supply.

the regulations governing the distribution
of anthracite coal for the year beginning
April I, 1918, and consumers are urged to
secure their supplies as soon as possible
after that date. As an incentive to this
the reduction Of 80 cents a ton will pre-
vail up to August LIST. 1t is important for
the consumer to look after his interests.
as it will be seen that certain things are
required Of him as well as Of the dealer
and that the penalties Of the law apply to
both. The regulations. given below. should
be read carefully and followed strictly:
In explaining the reduction in the price
Of anthracite. the Administration said the
bulk Of this coal is used for domestic con-
sumption. The 30-cent reduction was de-
termined upon. the statement said, in lieu
OF the reductions heretofore voluntarily
offered by dealers to encouree early buy
ing for the following winters needs. and
which ranged from so cents in April to 10
cents in August.
1T is felt" the statement said, that the
reduction will be fairer to the public, in
asmuch as coal is expected to be ordered
in April in such quantities that 1t will
prove impossible to make all deliveries
during that month or for some time to
come. Under a sliding scale Of reductions
it would be difficult If not impossible, to
treat all consumers equally. even though
their orders had been filed upon the same
date. while with an average reduction ex-
tending over the entire period all cunsum-
ers are treated alike"
While recommending and encouraging
the purchase and storage Of domestic coal
as early as possible, in order to insure de-
livery and assist the railroads by affecting
it as much as possible before next winter,
the Administration says it is determined
to prevent any undue boarding. To that
end the retail distribution plan includes q
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 discretion
of the local Fuel Administrators. each Gus
toner ordering coal may be required to
submit certified statement giving details
Of his requirements. his supply on hand
and the amount he has ordered from vari-
Gus dealers. Certification of false state
ment would be made subject to prosecu-
tion under the Lever act, which imposes a
fine Of $5.000or two years Imprisonment.
The regulations are as follows:
"(A) Until further notice no domestic
consumer Of coal or coke shall purchase. re-
ceive or otherwise take possession Of more
coal or coke than is required for his actual
and necessary requirements prior to March
81, 1919. II such consumer already has a
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 or cor
poration. whether acting alone or in con-
junction with others. shall, directly or in
directly. provide any domestic consumer
Of coal or coke with more coal or coke
before March 81, 1918. than is necessary
with the amount already on hand, to meet
the actual and necessary requirements Of
such consumer prior to that date.
"(C) On and after April l, 1918, no per.
son, firm, association or corporation shall
sell or deliver coal to domestic consumer
who does not first furnish to the person
selling or delivering such coal a state.
ment which the consumer declares in
writing to be true and which specifies q
the amount Of coal the consumer has or
hand, (2) the amount of coal he has or
order and the name Of the person from
whom ordered. (3) the amount of coal
used by him in the IL months ending
March 81. 1918. and (4) the amount Of
coal needed to meet his actual and neces
sary requirements prior to March 81. 1919
provided. however. that this regulation
may be modified by any State fuel ad
ministrator within his own State unde
such circumstances and conditions as HI
may deem proper.
"(D) On and after April I, 1918, anC
until further notice. no retail dealer shall
unless authorized by the State Fuel Ad
ministrator, deliver or cause to be deliv
cred to any domestic consumer. more thar
two-thirds Of his normal requirements o
anthracite coal. until each domestic con
sumner who has placed his order with sale
dealer. and is willing to receive delivery
of the same. has received two-thirds Of hi
normal annual requirements for the yea
ending March 81. 1919 provided. however
that orders OF six tons or less may filled II
full.
-(E) Carload or bargeload lots shall no
be delivered to single domestic consume
or to q group OF consumers except viii