Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-21
PROBE OF COAL
PRICES CERTAIN
Inquiry to Cut Distribution
Cost Plan of Gov
ernor
TALKS WITH OPERATORS
Executive Department Has
Power to Halt Boost, An
thracite Men Told
TALKS WITH OPERATORS

Investigation into the whole coal min
ing and transportation situation IN
Pennsylvania is certain as result OF
the conference Governor Sproul held last
night with representatives OF independ-
cnt operators.
Thirty per cent OF independent mines
of the anthracite regions were repre-
sented in the first conference to be held
to prevent increased coal prices on
May /.
The conference last night is declared
20 have been mutually satisfactory by
Governor Sproul, but problems OF IN
creased costs OF mining and handing
coal presented by the mining men were
such as to warrant the Governor in an
nounclng the need of rigid inquiry INTO
the whole anthracite situation
He intimated that he did not expect
n legislative inquiry would be necessary.
"There might be an amcablc investi-
CATION" he said, "and then there may
not be. It seems to me that an IN
vestigation would be conducted by the
executive department IL necessary
The conference lasted more than an
hour in the Governors office at Harris
burg, None of the big coal interests
were represented at the conference, and
intimation was given that until these
other operators, headed by the Reading
are heard. No assurance can be given
that the higher coal prices will be
avoided.
High Handling Cost
The Governor strongly intimated that
an inquiry to be started would nave 10
do with anthracite coal from the time
Il ia mined until it reaches the cellar OF
the consumer. The Chief Executive
pointed out that a large percentage OF
the money paid for each ton OF coal
goes for transportation and for distribu-
tion. The great expenditure for distribu-
ton, he explained, was caused by IN
creased wages given during the war.
The representatives OF the Anthracite
Coal Operators Association, with whom
the Governor corf~ fred, control ap-
proximately 80 per Cert of the hard
coal industry of Pennsylvania. In the
delegation were: w. L. Connell, OF
Scranton; James B. Neale, OF Miners
vile; A. E. Jessup, of Jeddo, and Sian
c. Dodson, secretary, and W. j. Thomp-
{ son, assistant secretary Of the associa-
tion.
In commenting on the conference the
Governor said:
factory one. The coal men showed
disposition not to be hasty and to wait
until the whole situation is looked into"
docs that mean that the proposed
increase will not go into effect on May
!, as announced?' he was asked.
II cannot answer that question now,
he said, there are other people who
have big interests in the anthracite coal
business and we have not heard from
them. After we have heard what these
men have to say, some definite an
nouncement might be made"
Has Plenty OF Power
The Governor plainly indicated that
he intends to do everything in his power
to prevent the coal price raise in May.
He believes that he has plenty of power
with which to order the inquiry and
unless he is deliberately balked in his
attempt to solve the situation, it is not
believed that any resolution authorizing
an exhaustive investigation and carry
Ing with it an appropriation to meet
expenses will be made
III this is not a matter for a legis.
iative investigation. could not the
mines department look into it?" asked
the operators.
Il think the executive department
mas the power to go ahead" he re.
piled.
"The conference was satisfactory
he said. ;and the independent opera.
tors seemed a great deal concerned
regarding the ultimate condition o.
the industry. Until I see some O.
the operators I cannot make def
mite statement. So far as the inde
pendent operators are concerned, they
told me they desire to cooperate Will
me to bring about lower prices"
The Governor said the federal fue
administration had cut Off a great sec
tion Of the country during the war +
the anthracite industry and had directe,
that soft coal be shipped in. The opera
tors mentioned this condition as q con
tributing factor in the uncertainty q
their present business. They told tn
Governor there had been 73 per cent in
crease in wages during the last thre
years, and the transportation costs ha
gone UP from 25 to 60 per cent. o
short hauls the costs were often highe,
the Increase having been zoe per cen
from the mines to the breakers
The operators also cited the ex
traordinary allowance made in handlinl
coal in the cities where their cost wa
increased from 81 to s1.25 and as hig
as So ton. with an extra forty cent
for carrying the coal into the cellar
The operators quoted these figures an
said they must be taken in as a Pal
Of the total cost to the consumer.