Evening journal., 1919-07-19
COAL.PRICE inquiry
ASKED IN SENATE.
Freliushuysen Resolution
Demands Action be Taken
to Lower Rates
WANTS BLAME FOR
HIGH COST PLACED

WASHINGTON. July is.-That the
roal Industry is in for another Con-
gressional investigation, with partiou-
lar bearing upon the prevailing price OF
fuel paid by consumers, seems certain
from the developments within the last
few DAYS. Representative Huddleston.
of Alabama, Democrat, is the author OF
one resolution providing for an In
quiry by the House, and today senator
Frelinghuysen, OF New Jersey, Hepup-
lican. has proposed similar proceed
ing. though, perhaps. more sweeping on
the part OF the Senate.
The point that seems to perplex these
and other legislators is why the retail
prices OF coal are advancing and have
advanced since the signing OF the armis-
tice when the country generally ex-
pected that they would be decreased: IL
is this phase Of the question which
senator Frelinghuysen calls TO the par
ticular attention Of the Senate.
There seems little doubt that the
Senate Investigation will be ordered
and that Il Will be conducted by the
Committee on Interstate Commerce or
q subcommittee Of that body. The
House Investigation probably will be
abandoned now that the Senate has
proposed a proceeding Of its own, the
resolution coming straight from tle
Republican leadership OF the upper
branch OF Congress. Mr.. Huddleston
proposition has no standing as a party
measure and the leaders OF neitner
party in the House seemed to have
been consulted regarding its introduc-
tion.
Senator Frelinghuysen. IN presenting
his resolution, cites the fact that for
several years the price Of coal has peen
increasing steadily. that during tne
war this increase was attributed 70
war conditions. but lin spit OF the fact
that since the afmistice was signed the
price Of coal has continued TO rise
without apparent economic or otner
proper reason therefor
Having set forth these, the resolu-
ton provides:
That the Committee on Inter
state Commerce, or any subicom-
mittee thereof, be instructed to
make inquiry into the cause OF
causes which have brought about
the enormous increase in the mar
ket price Of coal. and 10 that end
obtain full data regarding freight
rates. wages, profits and other
matters bearing upon the question
under consideration, with A view 10
ascertainine who or what may be
responsible for such increase in
price. whether due to economic
causes and therefore proper and
right. or whether due 10 manipu-
lation Of profteering on the part
OF the miners. shippers or dealers
in coal.
u is provided further that this com
mittee shall report es findings to the
senate. together with such recon-
mendations as may be pertinent and ad-
visaable. with a view either 10 Congress
sional action or executive action. In
order 10 remedy existing conditions, or
the punishment Of any individual or
corporation deemed guilty OF unlawful
acts"
II will be remembered that a similar
investigation was made by the Commit
tee on Manufactures OF the senate dur
ing the last session OF Congress ana
that a report comprehensive in us
scope was made. But no action ever
has been taken and none ever under
taken as a result Of that proceeding
The probable end Of all these IN
duiries. however. is a further exten-
sion OF government control over the
coal industry. II is no secret that this
is being urged vigorously by influential
leaders in many quarters The old
Fuel Administration ofilcials. those Of
the Federal Trade Commission and
many others are inclined TO such pro
gram. II need not be surprising, there
fore. II a tangible movement in the d.
rection Of Federal control materializes
within the next few months.