New-York tribune., 1920-10-13
Says Attorney General
Was Given Evidence of
Fraud and Collision.
but Has Failed to Act
Cougers Cleared
Il $3l2,OOO,OOO
Spectators Control the
/, Supply; Dealers Here
Say Hands Are Tied

Further sensational developments
concerning irregularities in the coal
traffic which are held to be in part re-
sponsible for the shortage and high
price Of fuel in New York are expected
when Senator William NJ. Calder's
committee on reconstruction and pro-
duction resumes its hearings to-day.
Senator Calder said last night the
investigation had already revealed
gross fraud and collusion between
spectators and persons interested in
the coal production. He denounced
the United States Attorney Generals
Office as "having fallen far short of its
duty in failing to bring to justice the
men responsible for outrageous prof
teering in this essential of life"
"At many of the sessions of our
committee" the Senator said, "repre-
sentatives Of the Attorney Generals
efiice have been in attendance. They
have heard sufficient testimony to war;
rant the most thorough Investigation
and the adoption of drastic measures
on the part of the government to avert
coal shortage that threatens to de-
velop into a national calamity.
Gave Evidence to Palmer
"A month ago l personally wrote
to A. Mitchell Palmer, detailing the
evidence of fraud and colusion devel-
oped before our committee. If he took
any action it is certain he has achieved
nothing in the way of relieving the
snortage or reducing the outrageous
price OF this vital necessity of life.
.'Aslde from the prerogatives with
Which he is clothed by virtue of his
office, the Attorney General is ad
mirably equipped to bring relief to
the situation. His interests are large
iy, IN the coal regions OF Pennsylvania.
oS which state he is a native He
Knows the conditions there and should
e De able to move constructively to re-
i!eve the appalling situation. His at
titude Of indifference and the apparent
apathy of his office are indefensible.
Expert testimony already produced
before Senator Calder's committee in
dicated that groups Of spectators have
enriched themselves to the extent Of
more than $4,000, 900 by obtaining
control of fiat and open-top cars for
coal shipment and then diverting the
fuel from contract purchasers and con-
signing 1T to the market that offered
the greatest profit to themselves.
Reign of Terror Here
Retail coal dealers in New York. in
many instances, feel themselves at the
mercy of the profiteering independent
operators because of their inability to
get anthracite for their customers
from any other source. One dealer,
who for obvious reasons asked that his
name be Withheld, said that a mild
reign of terror exists among the
smaller retailers here. If they call upon
the government to assist them in the
present crisis, the dealer said, they
fear that their supply from even the
profteering sources may be cut Off.
Some local authorities on the coal
situation suggest that the Attorney
General might investigate reports that
the large railroad companies are
disposing of considerable tonnage at
profiteering prices through independ-
ent operators
These large companies are quoting a
price of IS at the mines for nut and stove
sert, however, that they have no coal
available for this market at that price
They intimate that profiteerIng trans
actions are being masked by the sub
terfuge of selling company coal through
independent operators.
Dealers Are Indignant
Many dealers expressed indignation
at the apathy Of the government. APP
peals from residents, institutions and
public schools who find themselves fac
ing the winter with no coal on hand.
they said, are matters Of daily occur
renee. They assert that both the Pres
ident and the Attorney General have
,y0od raaeOp +o ba ou,oro &c .Lo -.