The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-09-28
BROKE RS
FORCED UP PRICE.
OF SOFT COAL
Must Come Down Accord
ing To U. S. Attorneys
Understanding

MARTINsBURG, W. Va, Sept.
27-The government claims to have
won a great victory in its case
against the coal operators Of Nor
thern West Virginia in which In
dictments for alleged profiteering
were threatened. Late this after
noon In federal court District Attor-
ney Stuart w. Walker presented In
person resolutions adopted by the
coal operators at a meeting held in
FalrmOnt Wednesday, September
%, together with q statement CT
counsel for that committee, that
the OperaorS would cooperate vol
unfairly in furnishing the govern.
ment with information concerning
prices charged.
According to Colonel Walker tho
operators will aid the government
in its efforts to bring down the
price Of coal. Colonel Walker al.
so told Judge Charles A. Wood ana
the grand jury that the govern
ment In accepting the resolutions
drops the proceedings instituted
some time ago, but that the court,
in the event that the price of coal
Is not reduced to figure consld-
orably lower than 1t Is now, will
be asked to convene special
grand Jury, when he will continue
rhe fight for the reduction OF the
products so plentiful in this state.
Inc districC attorney, in explain.
ing the matter, said he had found
that the excessive profits on coaf
were made largely by brokers, who
have sprung up in the big cities.
lie said coal was mined for $3.50
per ton. Considering these figures,
per ton. Considering thes figures,
he said coal should be furnished
the public at between 81 and $8 pei
ton, instead OF $40 and II, the price
1t Is bringing. He charged the
brokers with making the big prot
its by selling to the dealers at fan.
cy prices. After hearing Colonel
was adjourned for the term.
A government official here late
today stated that he expected coal
to drop in price at least 81 per ton.
The price now being paid here
ranges from $11 TO 1880 per ton
for bItuminous coal, the highest
ever known, and there is no an.
thracIte coal on the market, al
though a larger number of people
have purchased their winters sup
ply and paid for 1t.
Next Monday the newly appoint
ed fair practice committee OF Nor.
thern West Virginia coal operators
will hold it's first meeting In the
rooms Of the Northern West Vlr-
ginia Coal Operators association
In the acobs building, Fairmopt.
The work VIII be organized at that
time.
The members Of the fair practice
committee consist of P. P. Heinel,
Martinsburg, named to represent
the public; J. c. Mckinley, Wheel
ing district: ]. L. Hatfield, Nor
gantown and Kingwood; c. H. Jen-
kins. Fairmont; A. L. White,
Clarkburg; e. Drennen, Grafton and
Elkins: Douglas German, Upper
Potomac; Brooks Fleming, Jr., at
large.
Nj. Helnel Is the secretary OF
the Chamber OF Commerce OF Mar
tinsburg and he was appealed to
servo because Uf the active roucn
that he would have over the firms
and peonle OF that section Of the
state. It is understood that the
majority OF the complaints that
have been made are from folks in
Berkley and several of the adjoin-
Ing counties. District Attorney
Stuart w. Walker, Martinsburg,
will refer all complaints made to
him 10 the fair practice committee,
which will be expected to work out
the solution to every problem. It
ia the aim OF the department OF
Justice to accomplish lower levels
for coal prices, which 1t regards as
being too high.