New-York tribune., 1920-03-01
Mine Owners Hold
Indications Point
To Drop in Prices
Decrease in European De-
niand and Crop Outlook
Noted in Brief Filed With
National Coal Commission

From The Tri6une's Washington Rureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s.-The opin-
ion that the existing tendency is tow
ard a gradual decline in the cost of
living is expressed in brief filed with
the Bituminous Coal Commission by
Ralph Crews, Of the firm Of Shearman
& Sterling, Of New York, attorney for
the operators Of the central competi-
tive field, in combating the contention
of the United Mine Workers repre-
sentative for an increased wage. In
his brief Mr.. Crews speaks of the "best
thought in the country" as inclining
toward the belief that the peak of high
prices in commodities, due to the war,
has been passed.
''The mine workers representatives
have undertaken to suggest that the
commission should be influenced by the
probability of further advances in the
cost Of living says Mr.. Crews in his
brief. 1--WE do not assume to be en-
dowed with any gift of prophecy, but
believe that the best thought of the
country at the present time indicates
that the tendency of commodity prices
is downward
Less European Demand
Certainly the foreign exchange sit
uation indicates that buying for ex-
port to Europe will be materially cur
tailed. This is confirmed by current
newspaper reports of steamers leaving
Eastern ports for Europe with empty
cargo spaces. This condition is in
marked contrast to the scarcity of
cargo space which has continuously
ruled during the last four years.
"lf conditions do not permit Europe
to draw on us for necessares of life in
enormous quantities, it would seem to
be certain that if we apply ourselves
to production in normal manner in
this country the effect of production
must inevitably be lower prices.
"We are not entirely limited 20
prophecy. The tendency of livestock
prices, as is we'll known, has been
downward for several weeks. Only q
few days ago the Minneapolis millers
announced a substantial reduction in
the price Of -four
'I suggest that an investigation by
the commissions own representatives
will indicate recent tendency of
prices downward in the matter of es-
sential foodstuffs.
Owe believe that it would be a great
mistake for the commission to be in
fuenced in its award by any thought
of providing future increases in the
cost of living. We think that the sug-
gestion is counter to the best thought
in the country and to developments
indicating reduction in the cost Of
commodities"
Mr. Crews, in his brief. attacks as
aertions of the miners representatives
before the commission that the cost of
living has increased from 100 to 1925
per cent, and more, in mining cora
munities. The average advance in the
cost of living throughout the country,
including the mining fields, as ascer-
tained by former Fuel Administrator
Garfield. he says, was 1913 per cent
since the beginning of the war.
This advance, Mr.. Crews points outs.
was more than amply covered in the re-
cent Il per cent ware increase granted
the miners after the strike of last No
vember. To give a further advance
TO the miners, he argues, would only
mean an advance in the price of coal.
Urges Regularity of Work
Urging regularity of work in all
pursuits as one of the most potent fac
tors toward solving the problem of the
cost of living, Mr.. Crews points out in
his brief that, from data offered tht