Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-29
COAL MINE HEADS
TESTIMONY ENDS
Hear Jobbers and Wholesalers
at StatehOuse Tomorrow.

Lower coal prices for Indiana seem
probable.
The States new coal commission Gre
ated by the General Assembly to regu-
late the industry, viii white down the
prices, 1t was learned, unless the re-
tailers and jobbera present price data
| to counteract that given the commission
by the mine operators. at the first hear
ing to gather information on produc-
Ing costs and price levels.
There will be a hearing today for
the jobbers and wholesalers and on
Oct. l the retailers will appear.
The commission is taking this means
to give the coal men an opportunity to
lay their cards on the table.
WHOLESALERS MAY ASK
50 PROFIT PER TON.
As a result Of these hearings, State
wide scale OF prices will be announced
within few days, possibly by Monday.
An inkling of what the wholesalers may
demand was revealed when one infor-
mally told the commission he thought
the wholesale dealers should have a mar
gin of SO ton.
IF we would give the operators the
margin they want and the other fellows
all the profit they ask, the price of coal
would be higher. than it is now Jesse
Esc hbGch, chsirman of the commission.
said
In his remarks which closed the hear
ing, Chairman Eschbach said: when
the commission makes this order it will
be fair.
There is no desire on the part Of
the commission to treat any one as a
criminal.
Il have noticed during the discussion
this afternoon that most of the objec-
lions that have been raised were re-
garding the Federal Government.
with that we have nothing to do.
MY reputation for fair dealing in this
State guarantees you a fair price for
coal.
at is my intention and the inten-
tion OF those associated with me to tx
fair prices.
III there is objection TO the price fixed
we viii be ready at all times to conduct
a hearing Of complaints.
This law was not passed to make
criminals of you.
You will have our cooperation. and
cooperation.
Give US a chance"
PROTECTION ASKED
AGAINST DEPRECIATION.
James V Fibert of Linton, repre-
senting wagon mines in Greene County &:
Robert J. Smith Of the Deep Vein Coal
Company at Princeton and West Terre
Haute. and Linton Fourth Vein mines
and Frank S. Rawley of Terre Haute.
representing the Wagon Mine Operators
Association Of Indiana, were heard.
The item Of depletion was brought be
fore the commission by Mr.. Smith, who
stated that as the coal was mined the
property became less valuable.
He declared that operators should be
allowed a price which would provide for
the sinking Of new shafts.
His attitude toward the commission
law was hostile.
He blamed the press for the attitude
OF labor, explaining that the workers be
lieved the operators were making 81 out
Of each dollar they paid out for labor.
Mr.. Hilbert stated that the wagon
mines proved a source of relief for trans
portstion. and that a car shortage could
be considerably relieved By the wagon
! mine operators.
Mr.. Filbert also told OF an instance
where a buyer volunteered IS a ton for
coal, when he could have Purchased Il
ut a much less price had he asked for st.
He declared that the purchaser was
badly In need OF coal and was glad Il
get It at any price.