New-York tribune., 1920-07-30
Meeting Called
TOAvert Winter
Famine i'm Coal
Representatives of Four
Government Departments
and Mining Committee
Will Confer Here Monday
Distribution Is Blamed
Question of Proiteering
to Come for Discussion
i'll Considering Problem

NAonlNN i YIN, July I'd Means OF
averting winter coal shortages and of
defeating profteering in the coal trade
will be discussed at a conference in
New York Monday by representatives
Of four government departments and a
committee from the coal industry
Acting Attorney General Ames. in an
nouncing the conference tonight said
the government hoped to develop a
program on which the coal interests
could come half way" in solving the
coal problem.
Mr.: Ames, who, with Attorney Cen
eral Palmer, will direct the formation
OF the plan, declared there was no
reason for scarcity of fuel at present
and that If a shortage existed it was
through faulty distribution. He added
that there were mo economic reasons"
tor the high coal prices which obtain
throughout the country.
rms particular phase of the situa-
ton, he said, is being given close study
both by the Department. Of Justice and
oy many representatives of the coal
industry who feel that present condi-
tlons should undergo change"
Can Discard Embargo
Although the question of all embargo
on export coal will be discussed at the
coming conference, Mr.. Ames said it
appeared that the embargo could be
discarded as an effective means of in
creasing the supply available for do
mestic use. Fewer than ten million
tons of coal have been exported during
the first six months of this year, in
cludlng shipments to Canada. he as
serted, and this amount had not there
tore materially reduced the stocks
here, with a production for the period
estimated at 255 100000 tons.
wage questions probably will also
come up for discussion, since Secre-
tary of Labor Wilson is understood to
nave recommended reopening of the
wage award in prepared report on
the coal situation in general and strike
conditions in the Illinois and Indiana
helds in particular, submitted to-day
to President Wilson
The Labor Secretary returned to
Washington yesterday, and at the re-
quest of the President immediately set
to work on the report. His recon-
mondation for reopening Of the wsge
award, 1t is understood, would be
merely to bring under it WAGES of mine
laborers which were omitted from the
award of the bituminous coal commits
sion. Other features of the Secretarv's
report were not disclosed
Department Heads Invited
Secretary of Commerce. Alexander,
Secretary of the Navy Daniels and
Chairman Benson of the Shipping
Board have been invited to send repre-
sentatives to the New York conference.
The interest Of these departments in
finding solution to the difficulties be-
setting the coal trade. Mr.. Ames SAID,
lay in the fact that both the Navy De
partment and Shipping Board we're
heavy purchasers of coal for bunker
ing, while the Department OF Com
merce always has been of cid to ehe
industry'in a supervisory way.
ST. LOUIS, July 29.-Thomas T.
Brewster, chairman of the coal oper-
ators' scale committee, to-day called
meeting of the operators in the CEN
traF competitive field to consider the
coal situation as result of the miners
strike. The meeting will be held to-
morrow morning in Chicago
The operators. Mr.. Brewster ex-
planned, will consider the advisability
Of conferring with officials of the
suggested by John L. Lewis, president
of the miners union.
Dealers Asked to Hold Coal
Coal dealers here to-day were re-
Quested not to dispose Of any coal until
the sale had been approved by the
municipal coal committee, appointed
last night by Mayor Kiel to take charge
of the local coal situation. MANY large
industries reported they had only sui-
cient coal to last them twenty-four
hours.
In event the shortage becomes more
acute, Mayor Kiel asserted he will
issue proclamation declaring the pub
lie health in danger and empowering
the Health Department to contiscate
coal for distribution.
CHICAGO. July 2s-Coal operators
of Indiana to-day declined to partici-
pate in joint conference with the
international president of the United
Mine Workers Of America, with view
to changing or amending the interstate
agreement and the Commerce Commits
sion's award.
We are not forgetful." the COM
mittee stated, "of the seriousness of
the present situation as it affects the
country and we regret that in the
premises our hands are tied. Contracts
shouiu De sacredly and rgidly en-
forced. To treat them as scraps of
paper IS not only detrimental to the
coal industry but inconvenient and in
furious to the public welfare"
Coal in dealers yards in CHICAGO TO-
day is sixth to a seventh of the nor
NAL supply, an official of the largest To-
cal company said to-day He declared
that If nothing is done to improve the
constantly diminishing receipts, Chi
cagoo would be going on a vacation"
next week.
- The normal supply in Chicago at
THIS 1n time of year is around 100000 to
.oo'oOo TONS" this official said. "These
figures relate to coal in dealers wards
Al the coal on hand in the wards of
Chicago to-day is not over 100 600 tons"
100000 Tons OF U. S.