The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-23
MINE OWNERS
JOIN J.. s. WAR
ON COAL GRAFT
Conference With Palmer
Aid Results in Pledge of
Loyal Support.
AIDS ATLANTIC PORTS
Head of National ASSOcia-
ton Plans Countrywide
Campaign.
ANTHRACITE MEN ACT
Steps Taken to Limit Han
ding to 2 Wholesalers From
Mine to Consumer.
AIDS ATLANTIC PORTS
ANTHRACITE MEN ACT


AT the call OF Col d. L. Wentz,
president Of the National Coal As
sociation. which comprises the pro-
ducers OF about SIS per cent. of the BIZ
luminous coal mined in the United
States. special committee Of eight
OF the largest operators shipping to
Atlantic ports conferred yesterday in
the Hotel Vanderbilt. They arrived at
an amicable understanding tor COM
plete cooperation with local repre-
sentatives of the Department of Jus
tice in efforts to suppress graft, brib-
cry and eXtortion in connection with
coal shipments. Similar action when
taken in West Virginia resulted in a
big drop in the price OF coal at the
mines.
William McMurtrie Speer, Assistant
Attorney General met the committee
Of operators. which Col. Wcntz had
convened at Mr.. Speer's request, and
explained TO them fully how he de-
sired to accomplish reforms, so far as
possible, without being required to in
stitute prosecutions. The whole sub
ject was discussed fully for several
hours and the operators individually
and collectively pledged their loyal
support.
At the close OF the conference Col.
Wentz explained that II had been en-
tirely informal and that the subject OF
prices had not been included In the dis
cussion. which had been directed rather
to the elimination of abuses In the trade.
All the operators present. he said, had
agreed TO come into line with the pro-
gramme outlined by Mr.. Speer.
Seeks Nationwide Aid.
Col. wentz last Tuesday was in con-
ference in Washington with Attorney
General Palmer. In tho hope OF erlitt-
ing the aid OF all the soft coal producers
OF the country in the Attorney-G Generals
reformatory campaign Col. Wentz has
called meeting for next Tuesday In
Cleveland. which. II Is expected will be
attended alike by members and nom
members of the National Coal Associa-
ton. Al that meeting, Col. Wentz sale,
he expects 10 present in the form Of a
communication from the Attorney Gen
eral certain concrete proposals drafted
by the Department OF Justice for the
consideration Of the bituminous coal pro-
ducers Of the country.
While the big soft coal operators were
thus engaged steps were being taken for
a more complete cooperation also on the
part OF members OF the wholesale anthra-
cite trade. Thirty representatives OF
that branch Of the Industry met in the
Whitehall Club at the invitation Of
Charles $. Allen. secretary OF the Whole
sale Coal Trade Association of New
York, which is composed almost exclu-
sively OF bltumirous dealers.
After discussion OF the situation in the
East. w. II. Lewis OF NJ. A. Hanna &
CO. was appointed chairman OF n com
mIttee 10 report IN one week upon the
advisability OF the anthracite whole
salers following the precedent estab-
lshed several months ago by the Whole
sale Coal Trade Association in adopt
Ing resolutions limiting the resale OF
coal TO two wholesalers and profits to q
10 per cent maximum on any deal.
ProfiteeriBg Is Dfsappearfng.
Mr.. Allen told the anthracite men OF
the cooperation and assistance his as
sociation had given the Department OF
Justice through It's local representative,
Mr.. Speer. and how as q result OF the
adopted resolutions and a generally loyal
with their spirit profiteering
In soft coal had been limited to less than
10 per cent OF the wholesalers and is
being rapidly eliminated entirely. Mr.
Allen suggested that committee be
formed 10 corsult with tho Assistant At.
upon tho present serious
anthracite outlook. and that plans be
drawn up 10 extlrpato proflteerlng and
TO expedite delivery Of coal 10 this city
and vicinity. Action TO that end VIII be
taken at the next meeting.
The meeting registered a complaint
against the diversion OF so much anthra-
lite 10 the Great Lakes region and the
delay Of shipments 20 New
YORK II was suggested by one whole
saler that the big cities Of the middle
weet can better afford than can New
York 10 burn for domestic use bitumi-
1ous coal or n mixture OF bituminous
and anthracite.
Tho resolution already adopted and
signed by most Of the bltuminous deal
.rs OF the Wholesale Coal Trade Associa-
Ion, which is suggested as a model for
the anthracite wholesalers 20 follow
eads
I'VE, tho undersigned engaged in The
wholesale bituninOus coal hus.neee,
Continued on Fourth Page.