The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-27
OPERATORS PLEDGE
 ID AID IN FIGHT
 0N HIGH PRICES
Adopt Resolutions Promising Support to Palmer In EIimi- hating UnWise Practices
 Where Such Exist
By Associated Press


 l Cleveland, O., October 26-At an open
 meeting here today of approximately l.0o
 coal operators representing 1000 soft coal
 operators in the country and three- fourths of the total production, a resolu-
 tion was unanimously adopted pledging
 their support to Attorney General Palmer
 to eliminate unreasonably high prices and
 unwise practices where such exist l This action was taken following the receipt of a message today from the Att terney General requesting the bituminous 1 coal operators of the country to coop
 crate with the department of justice in bringing about elimination of unreason- ably high prices for coal.
 Today's general meeting was called by col:> D. B. Wentz. president of the National Coal Association to consider a telegram sent by the Attorney General 1 last week urging steps be taken to elimi- nate exorbitant prices for soft coal A meeting of the association members to consider the general coal situation had been called previously to the receipt Of the message. Colonel Wentz later re- quested every bituminous coal operator l in the country, whether members of the association or not, to attend todays S | meeting.
 | Members of the National Coal Associa- l tion held meeting this morning, con | sidered the Attorney Generals request and the s6ft coal situation in general
 and voted to maintain their fixed po,,cy against taking any action touching upon tcoal prices, because of restrictions in their charter. The association voted to refer the communication from the Attorney ! General to a second meeting, comprising
 individual coal operators from all parts 1 of the country both in and out of the association.
 This general open meeting was called 1 to order immediately upon adjournment ! of the association meeting, and after a l short adjournment to give a committee | time to prepare suitable resolution pledging the Attorney General their sup 1 port in eliminating unreasonable high prices and unwise practices, where such l exist. the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. copy of which
 was wired to the Attornev General TEXT OF RESOLUTION 1 "Whereas, an abnormal condition for some time past has existed in the bi- luminous coal industry of this country, due to inadequate transportation facli- , ties. labor difficulties and shortage. and other causes beyond the control of the
 biturninous coal operators of the country !, to cooperate with the department of jus
 tice in bril- Nying about elimination of un- reasonably hieh prices TOT coal where such exist. and
 "Whereas, it IS the sense of the hi-
 sunlinous coal operators 0f the country ' that unreasonabiv high prices and unssisc practices. where such exist in the indus
 try be eliminated; therefore. be it 1 s"Resolved, That the bituminous coal
 operators of the country refuse 10 ask or
 receive unreasonably high prices for bi- Luminous coal: and further that all un- wise practices in the industry. where any | such exist, be condemned and eliminated I Be it further
 !. Resolved. That if is recommended that ] coal districts in the United States es- l tablish a committee in it's district and
 such committee so established will use every effort to cooperate fully with the department of justice and the federal
 district attorney in such districts to bring about an elimination of unreason-
 ably high prices and unwise practices,
 where such exist, in order that the pur-
 pose and the object sought by the At- l torney General throughout the whole
 country may be accohplished.' | During the discussion of the coal situ- | ation at the open meeting many main tained that bituminous operators general fly were only receiving reasonable profits. and that the large majority strongly con demned prohteering in coal prices, which, l if it existed, the exception rather 1 than the rule.