Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-28
BEGIN SWEEPING
PROBE into COAL
PRICES IN VIRGINIA
Agents Of Department of
Justice Operate in
Eastern District.
HAMPTON ROADS WILL BE
GIVEN SPECIAL ATTENTION
District Attorney Hiram M.
Smith Is to Direct Investiga-
ton of Fuel Costs.

sweeping investigation into coal
charges and methods OF handling was
begun in the Eastern District Of Vir-
Sinla yesterday morning. Special in
Eestigators detailed from the Fed
cral Department OF Justice are work
Ing out OF the office Of District At;or-
ney Hiram VI. Smith, at Richmond
While all phases OF coal dealings
IN all sections OF the district will un-
dergo Systematic probe. activities
OF the department Will be concen-
trated for the present at Hampton
Eoads. whore It has been charged
that unreasonable prices have been
charged for coal.
Representatives. Of coal interests
centcrcd around Hampton Roads have
been called into conference and Dis
trict Attorney Smith spent a large
part Of yesterday making preliminary
inquiry into conditions and alleged
overcharges.
busy Gathering Data.
Special investigators are in the
field and are busy gathering data. 1t
has been reported that as much as
S22 a ton has been charged for cmerg-
cncy coal for hunkcrage at Norfolk
Many complaints OF excessive charges
for coal ~ Hampton Roads have been
hied with the distric, attorneys Of
hcc from shipping interests. and it is
said that serious injury is being done
the por, as well as the State Of Vir-
e!nia through the unfair methods and
charges OF some dealers.
While prices and methods o. hand
ling coal in Richmond will be invcst!-
gated. Il is said that priccs charged
here are not considered excessive
when compared with prices charged
at other places and especially at the
virginia ports.
The district attorneys Office has
been provided with official reports Of
the Federal Trade Commission on tho
cost of coal q, the mines and Will use
this as = basis for Virginia invcstiga-
uons. According to figures of the
Federal Trade Commission. Fedora!
officials here are Of the opinion that
the price of sio and Sll retail is not
entirely justified. but no official would
20 on record as authorizing such a
statement in advance OF full inves-
tiGat!on OF facts and conditions.
Part Of Nntion-Widc Probe.
Inc investigation being made in
this district is a part of the nation
wide Investigation ordered a few
days ago by the Federal Department
OF Justice. II is declared, however,
that The investigation is largely
based on complaints coming to the
department from alleged abuses at
Hampton Roads in this district
Fer this reason activities of the
Richmond Office are considered OF
special Importance and results Will
bc watched with interest.
II is said that the office OF the dis
trict attorney has information thai;
cxorbitant prices are charged for
partial supplies OF coal for bunker
ing at Norfolk by brokers who take
advantage OF ships. partially loaded.
and whose charierers are compelled
10 buy coal at any price offered or
pay several thousand dollars day
dcmurraEe. 1t Is cheaper 20 buy coal
even at SIS and $50 and get the ships
out to sea than to pay the demurragc.
1t has been claimed that Il pooling
interest, which Is supposed to supply
ships with full quotas of coal. manip-