South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-31
MINE OWNERS
RAISE PRICE
OF SOFT COAL
Ton of Coal Will be Advanced
in Price From % TO
SIPS a Ton.

BY Associated Press;
NEW YORK. March 3O.-The ac-
tion OF Pres't Wilson's coal commis-
sion i'm granting bituminous mine
workers a wage increase Of p per
cent means the price of coal at the
mines Will advance 65c TO S1.25 d
ton. 5ituminOus coal operators an
nounced here Tuesday.
While asserting they desired to-
keep the price OF coal as low as pos
sible and 90 avoid speculation in the
product OF their mines mine own
ers citeC Illinois as the only state
where the minimum increases would
apply. This was said TO be due To
local conditions, which lessen the
cost OF production
sell Much Coal.
Since the removal of bituminous
coal price restrictions by the presi-
dent some operators, il was stated
already had sold large quantities Of
coal fer April delivery at from $3.50
TO 81 a ton. The government price
of $95 is effective. however, to
April l. The operators in some dis
tricts. IL was said, have received as
much as $4.75 a ton in instances
where big purchasers went into the
fields and engaged in competitive
bidding
The mine workers Representatives
refused 10 make any comment on
the proposed increases in coal
prices. except TO state that the new
wage agreement would only in
volve 25c ton average increased
expense"
New Wage Agreement.
The new wage agreement en-
bodying the award of Pres't Wilson S
bitummous coal commission prob
ably will be ratified wednesday by
the operators and mine workers Of
the central competitive field, accord
ing To statements made here Tues
day night by uTeubersg-of nc -'StIiS-
committee engaged i'm negotiation.
The committee at its meeting
Tuesday appointed "a special con-
tract committee consisting of Will
liam Green, international secretary
of the United Mine Workers, and
Phil Penna. secretary of the Indi-
ana Coal Operators association, TO
draw mp q tentative contract They
will report back TO the sub-com-
mittee Wednesday morning. When
approved by the subcommittee the
new wage agreement VIII be pre-
sented 10 a joint conference Of the
scale committees of the miners and
operators for final ratification
Seek Advice.
Before going into conference with
the mine workers here to consider
a new wage agreement, il was
learned Tuesday. mine owners
sought the advice Of Attorney Cen
eraI Palmer as TO whether such
meeting would be violating the law
fearing a repetition Of the Indian
apOlis indictments Tor conspiracy to
boost the price of coal
Assistant Attorney General - =.
Amos who is IN charge OF the Indi-
annapolis prosecutions. answered the
operators inquiry in a letter ad-
dressed 20 their attorney received
here Tuesday He assured them
that the meetings of the. sub-COm-
mittee would not be a violation o.
the law
While the department Of JUS
tice." said the letter. "is not au-
thorized by law 60 give advice to
private citizens under all the cir
cumstances I think il proper for me
10 authorize you 20 say % the rep
rcsentatives of miners and operators
that the department does not think
IL would be a violation OF law for the
miners and operators 10 make the
contract recommended by the United
States bituminous coal commission. 20
Make No Comment
John t. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers. would make
no comment ON the work OF the
contract committee. He explained
that none OF the terms 10 be en-
bodied i'm the new agreement had
been definitely decided upon and
that any announcement would ne
premature.
The miners representatives on the
subcommittee. ii was learned. ask
cd that the wage award 10 day men
Of 81 per day increase he advanced
Co s1.oI. They conteuded that this
increase was necessary 10 bring
the wages of the day men up 20
an equal level with those paid the
contract workers.