The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-21

orders issued by the Federal Govern
ment, which is depriving New York city
of coal We sympathize with the needs
of any other section of the country. but
maintain that the health and comfort
of the residents of New York city
should not be destroyed by arbitrary
action of governmental authorities. We
also protest against the continued ex-
port of coal to foreign shores and re-
quest that the Federal authorities take
such action that our people here may
be supplied with the supreme necessity
before coal is shipped to foreign coun-
tries.
"'ResoIred, That n copy of this resolu-
ton be sent TO the proper Federal
authority and that his Honor the Mayor
be requested to take whatever other
means he deems wise and necessary to
zee that the people OF New York city
are supplied with COAL"
Counsel for the corporations and tndi-
viduals who have been indicted by the
Federal Grand Jury for alleged viola
lions of the Lever law, instead of enter
ing pleas in The United States District
Court, interposed yesterday demurrers
to the indictments and moved that they
be quashed Judge Julius NJ. Mayer VIII
hear argument on the motion on Friday,
October 90 George L.. Ingraharn, for
mer Justice of the Court of Appeals, In
behalf of the Brooklyn Edison Company,
urged that 1t would be an Injustice to
punish that CORPORATION for the acts of
one of it's agents who may have betrayed
his trust. Referring to Harry p Wood,
who has pleaded guilty and will be a
Government witness, counsel said the
Brooklyn company had felt implicit con-
fidence in him. but that the organization
now is undergoing such a thorough in
vestigation and reorganization of its
staff as to make repetition OF abuses
such as those complained of virtually
impossible.
James A. O'Gorman, formerly United
States Senator. and George Gordon
Battle. united in the motion in behalf
of their client. the Adelphia Coal Com
pany, as did Charles A. Perkins, former
District Attorney Of New York county,
who is counsel for Walter F. Weis. the
indicted vice-presdient of the Brooklyn
Edison Company.
Federal Agent Demands Trial.
William McMurtrie speer. Special
Deputy Attorney General, opposed the
motion and urged that the cases be
brought to n speedy trial. He said :
1.-THE facts recited in these indictments
are not peculiar. as counsel has sug-
gested. The Government has presented
these indictments as typical of condi-
ton which. in face of the largest pro-
duction of soft coal in the history of the
United States. has permitted, neverthe-
less, exorbitant prices and extortionate
charges, a situation which the Govern
ment's Investigations show to be due to
corrupt practices, to the misuse of per-
mits and priority orders. and to bribery.
gre IT and corrupt methods used in in
fiuencing employees of railroads and
public service utility corporations.
THE object OF these indictments"
Mr. Speer continued, is not so much
punitive as corrective. 1t is our de-
sire, in order that It may clear our
path for future procedure, that there
may be an early decision of the court.
determining that these practices which
I have indicated may be reached and
abated by the Federal law. For that
reason. primarily, we are very anxious
for an early disposition of these cases. "
The Coal Trade Journal tomorrow
vii. say:
production of anthracite continues
to Improve with practically all miners
back at work and scarcely any trace
of labor disturbance. Receipts Mt the
New York piers have increased since
the termination of the stcike. but are
improving slowly, and tonnages are dis
appointing to practically ill concerned.
with continued scarcity Of com
pany coal, independent prices remain
at high levels. and sales ranging from
SIS to ST. per ton on domestic riZes at
the mines have been reported. II Is
said, that offers of 500 Ter ton would
not be surprising were the bidders
badly in need of fuel. Independent pea
coal prices run from $3.50 TO sll. With
a heavy demand still dominating the
market No. buckwheat and rice are
slightly higher. the former bringing 81
20 $6.75 and the latter from $40 mp
Barley continues 10 be drug on the
market and Is all but given away"