The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1920-09-03
JOYOUS news To
ALL---EXCEPT A few
Coal Prices Tumbling APP
preaching Breaking
Point.

Washington, Aug. 25.-Forecast OF
tumble in coal prices was made by
Department of Justice officials today
coincident with an announcement of
renewed activity" in the campaign
against coal profitecrs. With produc-
tion on the increase, prediction was
made that the coal market would
follow sugar prices in a break in the
near fature.
Prices already have cropped at Bal
timofe, where the federal agents yes
terday started to gather evidence
against an alleged combination Of
dealers, who were declared to have
boosted prices through repeated re-
sales. A similar attack on profiteers
has been ordered at Hampton Roads,
one OF the largest bungering stations
on the eastern seaboard. Complaints
have come frequently from there and
from Baltimore, 1t was said
Although interior points have re-
ported exorbitan, ccal prices il I"an.f
instances II was stated that the fla
grant violations" of the Lever act
were confined largely to the Atlantic
coast. At one place coal which cost
$40 ton was sold for $50. The de-
partment will press its investigations
at all points, however, still as a part
of the programme outlined Monday,
when the attorney general Instruct
ed all United States attorneys to delve
into the coal price situation more
deeply on the basis of information
that pyramiding of prices had been
accomplished through intertrade
sales
The departments hands are tied at
Philadelphia by court order re-
straining the United States attorney
from prosecuting profiteers finder the
Lever, law, which was held to be
unconstitutional by the court there.
But the court will not stay the gath
ering of evidence, according to II. S.
Mitchell, special assistant to the at
torney general, who is directing the
campaign.
Mr.. Mitchell believed public SEN
timent had begun to react against
coal profiteers to the extent that 1t
would force a lowering of prices. The
break in quotations at Baltimore. to-
gether with expected reductions at
other points, was expected to mean a
real benefit to the consumer
Federal reserve board officials al
so reported indications of an impend-
ing drop in the coal market. Their
information was that transportation
conditions, with respect to coal, had
improved and that therefore there
would be better distribution. This
of itself, in the opinion Of Department
of Justice officials, should aid the
price reduction movement. The re-
serve board officials said the empty
bins, made so by the bituminous
miners strike, and later by the rail-
road walkout and freight jam, were
again stocked. They did not believe
the storage of this sort of stock was
entirely up TO normal, but based on
recent reports, stocks were rapidly
being accumulated.
Baltimore, Md, Aug. 25.-With
government agents after profiteers
in soft coal, number of spectators
are taking to the woods and prices
are taking a considerable drop, ac-
cording to George Keiffner, assistant
United States district Attorney, who.
in the absence of District Attorney
Carman. is conducting the govern
ment's coal investigation in Balti-
more.
Prices have dropped, Mr., Kieffner
said, from around~S17 and SIS ton
to $S.25 to $3.50, according to qua
lily, and he is looking for further
drop