New-York tribune., 1919-11-26
Assertion of 'sShocking and
Indefensible' Profits De.
MED i'm a Formal State
ment Issued to the Public
Net Less Than 16 Cents
Readiness to Submit All
Contentious to Arbitra.
ton Again Is Declared
Netr York Tribune
Wo-shtuoton {3uredu


WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Bitumi-
nous coal operators to-day vigorously
denied they have made exorbitant
profits, as alleged by former Secretary
Of the Treasury McAdoo in telegram
to Fuel Administrator Garfield.
Mr.. McAdoo declared income tax re-
turns for 1917 showed the bituminous
operators made from Is to 1000 per
cent on the capital stock, and urged
DR.. Garfield not to let the operators
shift the burden of an increase in
miners wages to the consumers
The operators reply to Mr.. McAdoo
follows:
"Inasmuch as your message of No
vember "a was released for publica-
tion and thus became a message to
the public, we take the liberty of
answering it in the same manner. The
mine owners are opposing a wage in
crease at this time for the reason that
they believe no increase in wage rates
IS necessary to permit any industrious
man who wants to work to earn suffi-
cient money to maintain decent
American standard of living. This
point, together with all others, they
have offered to submit to arbitration
or investigation.
Definite Figures Demanded
Upon what current facts and figures
are you convinced that the increased
workers are just and reasonable? :?
Upon what current facts and figures
are your grave doubts based as to
whether the mine owners are entitled
TO increase the price of coal to the
consumers? If you have current facts
and figures to substantiate your con-
viction and doubts you will make a
good witness for the miners before
board of arbitration or tribunal Of
investigation which thus far they have
firmly declined to agree to. If you
have not these current facts and
figures your mere personal opinion has
no weight.
"Your admission that conditions in
1917 were abnormal is agreed to.
When the world goes to war condi-
tions are certainly abnormal. So far
as the mine workers were concerned,
this abnormal condition was recognized
by two abnormal increases in wages
during the year 1917, and the United
States government promptly put an
end to abnormal coal prices. 1t would
be interesting to have your recollec-
by other industries which were not so
restrained. AS you proceed to admit
your ignorance of conditions in 1918
and 1919, that portion of your message
carries no weight and requires no
answer.
Tax Publication Consented To
"You suggest a careful examination
of income tax returns before an addi-
tional price for coal is allowed. This
would be included in the investiga-
tion which the mine owners agreed to
more than a month ago and have been
urging ever since, but thus far the
mine workers have been unwilling to
agree either to arbitration or investiga-
tion. Either procedure will disclose
not only the current tax returns of
the mine owners but of the miners as
we'll. The figures are here In Wash
ington and can be readily produced If
you can get the mine workers to agree.
The bituminous coal workers will well
come the publication of just as full
current tax returns for the bituminous
coal industry as are published for any
other industry.
'In the last two paragraphs Of your
tion, and also that the mines resume
operations. Either your newspapers
are not reaching you, you are not read
ing them, or you have deliberately
ignored the published facts. On Oc-
tober "a, in Washington, the mine own
ers promptly and without reservation
agreed to the proposition made BY
President Wilson that the mines be
continued at work and the entire mat
ter would be submitted to a board OF
arbitration. On October 81, in Cleve
land, the mine owners agreed te
President Wilson's later suggestion
that the whole matter be left to &
tribunal to be appointed by him to in
vestigate the facts. On Thursday, No
vember 90, in Washington, the opera
tors offered three resolutions to the
sub-scaN committee of miners and op