Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-14

Goodrich political coal mine continues to
mine only bubbles"
Although the public has little faith
regarding the commissions ability to
compel the delivery and sale of coal at
the prices fixed by the commission. the
public is trusting thar cold weather is
weeks away and hoping that the con-
troversy viii be.ended before the winter
actually begins.S
WARN~oF SHORTAGE
AT FIRST COLD SNAP.
The operators claim that the first cold
weather will find the commission be-
sieged with demands for coal and grant
ing that the commission could obtain the
needed coal, the operators declare that
transportation conditions are such that
it will be utterly impossible to get the
coal shipped TO the cities and towns where
the public will be suffering from the
lack Of fuel
In speaking OF Jesse Eschbach's per
sonal attack" Of words on Phil Penna Of
the operators. one coal operator re-
marked that it 'looks like the coal COM
mission has lost self control instead Of
controlling the coal market"
EFFORT TO ENIBARaSS~
COMMISSION IS SHOWN
Every human effort possible is being
made to embarass the special coal and
food commission at this time" declared
Chairman Jesse Eschbach preceding the
continued hearings OF Indiana coal re-
tailers.
The Grant Coal & Supply Company of
LOgansport, submitted figures showing
their costs of doing. business from April
/ to Sept. 90 to be 1882 per ton.
c. W. Grant, who was the first to take
the stand. stated that in his costs S14252
was included for advertising which was
necessary to the coal business.
One automobile, the second to be intro
dueed IN the evidence by retailers, was
figured as part of the $2.45 per ton costs
in securing business and for general use
about the coal yard for six months.
The Independent Coal Company Of To-
aansport submitted figures showing costs
Of 1921 a ton.
Charles H. Uhle OF that company stated
that he owned the ground, and in his
operating expenses included rental which
he was entitled to.
PAY 80 CENTS AN HOUR
AND PAY OFF NIGHTLY
According to H. ". Berning OF the
Walton Avenue Coal Company Of Fl.
Wayne that town is about one Of the
best markets for Jobs that he knows Of
As much as % cents an hour is paid
fer unskilled labor, with pay handed out
every night, he claims. thereby causing
high operating costs 10 his business.
7rN0 ~ WavUe. Chamber of Commerce,
be declared, intends to take the coal stu
alton into their own hands as far as that
city is concerned as soon as Fl Wayne
rotailArS ro+'~" witN their reports OF
the commissions action.
Ahat step. he declared, is necessary 10
protect the city and public IN general
from unnecessary suffering.
The delivery OF coal is about third
normal in Ft. Wayne, according to Mr..
Berning.
80 ..eaber, accountant, who installed 4
system of bookkeeping IN nearly all coal
retailers Offices in TT. Wayne, repre-
ssntss other dealers and presented a mass
q at~sistics to the commission, together
with much information which he volun-
teered.
Mr.. Berning stated that be drew a sal
airy Of $40 week, and that of his part
ner amounted to $50 a week.
INCREASED LABOR
COSTS ARE CITED.
Serious labor conditions in various
sections Of Indiana and in some places
leading to an individual increase of 81
per week over salaries of last year are
partially blamed by retailers for their
high operating costs lin handling coal,
according to statements made in the hear
ing before the special coal and food com
mission, in the Senate chamber at the
Statehouse.
The costs Of transportation through
cities over macadamized roads, SAND
roads and up and down hills are also
taken by retail dealers as a principal of
costs of coal per>~ton
About dozen retailers appeared be-
fore the commission yesterday afternoon
and others were scheduled for hearings
this morning.
Modification Of order number three il
asked by the retailers in their petitions.
c. NJ. Lantz, Of Lantz Brothers, of
South Bend, was the first retailer to ap-
pear before the commission at the after.
noon session.
He stated that the operating expense of
his company, per ton, from April /, 1920
to Oct. 1. 1920 was $3.50, not consider.
ing loss or degradation of coal or profits
During his testimony he read a letter
from L. P. Hardy, who was formerly
Federal fuel administrator at South Bend
which stated that the margin was not
adequate to meet the costs of the coal
dealer"
FORMER FEDERAL
PRICE LIMIT POINTED.
Hr. Hardly, during his administration
axalei aekl- -alE 7 . at lIaz.ss.a arax.