Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-15

ever possible, the margin Of 1925 as or
dered.
Mr.. Dithmer stated that coal conditions
here were bad and that coal retailers in
this city had to take labor that other
people did not want, and that his firm
could only get the laboring class who
cannot get any shorter hours or any
better money.
The expense per ton for his firm
amounts to S3.68 he stated.
In comparing the expenses Of previous
years he said that operating costs were
smaller and that the high cos. this year
was due to higher prices.
In 1918 Mr.. Dithmer said that his firm
paid II cents a ton for unloading coal;
in 1919 It cost 10 to IS cents to unload
coal and in 1920 it cost from % to 30
cents a ton to unload coal.
SHOWS STEADY INCREASE
IN PAY OF DRIVERS.
Drivers wages in 1918 were SIS week;
in 1919 the wages were $40 week and
in 1920 the wages paid amounted to S2i
a week.
In addition to their wages Mr.. Dith-
mer stated that a bonus Of from 81 to
So was given each driver each week, II
the drivers remained with the company
that long.
Gasoline for trucks used in hauling
coal in 1918 cost II cents, he stated. and
In 1919 the price ranged from Is TO 20
cents a gallon, and this year about 80
cents a gallon.
Feed costs were proportionately
higher, he explained.
In addition to his high costs he said
that demurrage rates in 1918 allowed
4r,o 70.
fine of 81 a day after the time allowed;
IN 1919 two days unloading time was
allowed, with So fine for every day over
that time, and in 1920 orders were to
unload cars in twenty -four hours or else
have an embargo placed on the switch,
or suffer a fine Of So a day after the
first twenty-four hours.
SAYS DEALERS HERE
HAVE CLEAR RECORD.
Mr.. Dithmer stated he had no oppor-
tunity to secure cheap labor, as labor
knows the unloading conditions which
confront the retailer and therefore fixes
price which must either be accepted by
the retailer. or else the retailer WIN pay
the demurrage rate.
Coal dealers OF Indianapolis have
clear record Of holding down prices and
Of giving service to the public" said Mr.
Dithmer.
The cooperation OF Indianapolis deal
ers with the Federal Fuel Administration
Is proven in their willingness to deliver
as small an amount as 500 pounds Of coal
during the time Of the shortage during
the war" explained Mr.. Dithmer.
The cost Of delivering such amounts
was made at so cents load. Mr.. Dlth-
mer stated the mine prices as well as
those of the brokers was too high for
the dealers and occasioned losses.
In 1919 his firm lost 1854 on 1900
tons, he said, on coal secured from
mines and brokers, and in 1918 on q. 900
tons he lost S2,700 while in 1920 to date
the firm has lost over 5000 on 1927
/ tons,
Some Indiana coal has been purchased
at 81 ton at the mine from the ConsoI-
dated Coal Company, but. Mr. Dithmer
said that he understood that company
had since retired from the coal business.
In answering a question of Mr. Noel.
Mr.. Dithmer said that the prices OF coal
depend upon the demand rather than the
basis costs"
NO LEGAL FIGHT IS
lEXPECTED HERE.
In the hearings Of yesterday afternoon
Nearly every dealer claimed that
shrinkage on cars amounted to per cent.
When Chairman Eschbach asked If
shrinkage or "stealage" of coal could be
recovered from the carrier or railroad he
was Informed that coal shortages on the
car could be recovered from the railroad
only under protest
Settles OUT OF ORDER"
WHEN DEMAND Is MADE
One dealer explained privately that
when he called the railroad TO get their
weight on the shipment Of coal that he
might recover II he was found to be
short, that the railroad generally told
him the car was not available for their
scales at that particular time, or that
the railroad scales were geneally out OF
order.
Meantime consumers would ask for coal
and the dealer would have TO get his
car into his bins.
Mine operators collect for the full car,
regardless of shortage at the destination,
explained the dealer
The power Of advertising in newspapers
and along other lines was believed to be
the best thing for the business Of Ira
Kaufman. Elkhart, although he adver-
tised oven when he had no coal.
Among other dealers heard yesterdss
afternoon besides those from Ft Wayne
were Philip p. Bash of C. E. Bash a
| Co., Of Huntington: sherman Harlan or
Anderson. f. NJ. Pickering Of Pickering
& Son., Anderson; Ira Kaufman, Elk
hart.
Cotton Mills Check I'm