Arizona republican., 1919-03-28
COAL MEN SPLIT ON
 FAIR PRICE ISSUE
 WITH GOVERNMENT
Until R. R. Administration Gives Operators Square Deal, Deliberations Sus- pended-Issue Statement Charges Are Denied
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

l'SPebhSdfi "A r GCdSCd NHCJ
 WASHINGTON, March 27.-Bitu- minous coal operators of the country through the National Coal association announced tonight that they would not resume conference with the industrial board of the department of commerce with view to readjusting coal prices, until the cooperation and support of the railroad administration and other government departments buying coal had been secured" Whenever the board could assure such cooperation, the coal men said, they would be will ing to continue the conferences which began yesterday.
 The operators who represent -ap- proximately three -fourths of the coun- try's bitumious production, after con- ferring today with the board, adopted a resolution setting forth their attitude and issued statement charging the railroad administration with adoption of unfair practices which would drive the price of railroad fuel below the cost of productions
 Members of the industrial board, of which George N. Peek is chairman. re- fused tonight to comment on the con- ferences with the coal men beyond say ing that 'only general policies had been discussed" It was understood, how ever, that in the conference the prices fixed by the railroad administration and other governmental agencies for coal was the chief contention.
 The representatives, of the coal in dustry told the board that approxi- mately 30 per cent of the total pro- duction of bituminous coal was con- sumed by the railroads, and according ly the prices at which the railroad ad- ministration bought coal had a direct bearing on the prices to the public.
 Raise Fair Price Issue
 Under these circumstances" said the statement issued by the coal as sociation, "the operators consider it vital for the board and the industry to know at the outset whether or not the United States railroad administration would accept the decision of the con- ference as to reasonable and fair prices for coal and make it's purchases of railroad fuel at those prices.
 Tt developed at the meeting that in spite of Director Hines publicly Announced policy in the purchase of railroad fuel, the United States rail- road administration had adopted un- fair practices which would drive the price of railroad fuel below the cost of production. This would necessitate advancing the price of coal for the general consuming public to a point | sufficient to absorb the loss involved ir the production of coal for railroad use It was therefore, apparent that unless | the railroad administration would lend l it's cooperation and bind itself to ac- | cept the findings of the conference. nc beneficial results for the general pub lie could be- obtained.
 Such assurance of cooperation or the part of the railroad administration was not forthcoming.
 "The operators accordingly made clear to the board their readiness tt resume consideration of prices when | ever the cooperation and support oi the railroad administration and other government departments buying coa had been secured"
 Purchaser Denies Charge
 Emphatic denial of the charge of tht coal association against the railroad administration was made in a state ment issued tonight by Henry B Spencer, director of the administra tion's division of purchases.
 The statement said the railroad ad ministration, had been in constan touch with officials of the Nationa Coal association, in order to insur that instructions issued to railroa' purchasing departments in regard t coal purchases, were carried out.
 "We have requested the members o this association" said MT. Spencer, 1t bring to the attention of the railroa' administration any failure to carry ou the instructions issued by the directo general so that we could investigat the matter and remedy the fault. if an existed. So far as we are advised. tn purchasing departments are absolutel adhering to the policy laid down b MT. Hines.'