Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-11-03
NOPROF|TEER|NC,
PALMER'S STAND
Coal Dealers Must Adhere to
Maximum Price, Attorney
General Declares
U. S. CHECK ON OPERATORS

Wasl'inptor. Nov. 3.-proposals OF
Wholesale coal dealers that the govern
mcnt permit free market in coal, even
in the face of tho strike. received
"short shrift" from \. Mitchell Palmer.
attorney general The dealers. who
comprise the Wholesale Coal Trade
Association of New York. were informed
in no uncertain terms that government
maximum prices on coal were restored
for the protection of the general publir
and that he expected 90 operation from
the coal men in the general welfare
even to the extent of sacrificing
profits
''Unlcss there is government rcgu-
lation." said the attorney general in
a letter addressed to W. 4. Marshall.
president of the association, prices
charged to the public will be outrageous
and the profits accrung to dealers un-
cOnsciOnablc
Mr.. Palmer also served notice that
the injunction against officers of the
United Mine Workers was obtained
solely in the pubic interest The gov
ernmcnt. he said will not permit it to
be used for the benefit of the employers
side of the strike controversy. Tho at
torney general warned that the govern
ment will take exactly the same action
against any persons attempting to limit
the coal supply.
The coal dealers association had sug
gestcd that thee mines be given police
and troop protection. but that the gov
crnmcnt refrain from fixing prices or
attempting to take over and distribute
the supply of coal.
Text of Letters
The two letters given out by Mr.
Palmer follow:
October 81, 1919
''Hon. A. Mitchell Palmer. Attorney
General, Washington, d. c.:
Dear Sir-Thc fact that there is no
present general shortage of coal and
that if the miners who want to work
are given protection by the government
they will work, leads us to make the
following statement and rccommcnda-
tion
First. With the police or troop pro
lection there will be n sufficient number
of miners who will be willing to con
Z tinue at work to insure. with present
stocks an adequate supply to meet the
emergency created by the strike.
"Second. Fixing Il maximum price
will curtail the operators ability to
meet the abnormal production costs
caused by the strike and will discourage
the operators in their efforts to produce
coal.
"Third. The law of supply and de
mand will take care of distribution
better than any theoretical program.
"We are not now confronted with a
wartime condition. but one in which the
demand for coal is normal and will
continue so If the public is, assured OF
protection TO miners to enable them to
produce. and nonintcrfcrence by govern E
ment departments in the matter of dis
tribution.
"Fourth. The putting into effect OF
priority lists will result in unnecessarily
overstocking certain consumers and al
lowing others to go without
Fifth If there are attempts a
profteering the machinery provided
under the recent amendments to thu
Lever law may be used to prevent tho
same.
eve recommend that the miners b,
= given protection so that they may worl
in safety and that the consumers o.
coal he allowed to procure the same
through the usual normal channels with
out interference from government de