The New York herald., 1920-12-24
WENTZ Is ATTACKED
FOR COAL PROFITS
Admission That He Took so
Cents a Ton Commission
Stirs Senator Pomerene.
PROSECUTION DEMANDED
Congress Aroused Over Revela-
tions That Government Off
cials Made Huge Sums.
Specia! Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Burean.


New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 23.
Congressional interest in the entire
depths by the disclosures before inc
Senate Special Reconstruction Commit
tee that Government officials have taken
advantage of abnormal coal marketing
and transportation conditions to MAKE
tremendous profits for themselves, ana
that other pronteers have been given q
field for operation through purchases OF
millions OF tons of coal in a panicky
market by the War Department at prices
said to be So a ton higher than was
necessary.
In the Senate to-day this interest was
manifested in connection with a speech
on the subject by Senator Calder On,
W, Republican, chairman of the COM
inittee He was interrupted by Senator
Pomerene (Ohio), Democrat, who sought
to emrh size the admissions yesterday
of Col. d. b. Wentz,' president of the
National Coal Association. that he acted
as a purchasing agent under contract
with the Secretary of War and pur-
chased 10000 tons of coal at S11 ton
with a com. m.nission Of so cents ton to
himself.
HAS the Senator been able to recon-
Gle the principle of common honesty,
asked Senator Pomerene, with the con-
duet pursued by a man representing the
III tied States Government who sells coal
from his own mine at $3.50 ton and
sci that of some one else to the Gov
eriment at s11 ton, receiving a COM
mission of fifty cents ton on the
transaction"
AS this was not strictly in line with
the testimony of Col. Wentz. who fur
nished a copy OF his contract with the
War Department, which fixed maxi
mum price of s11 a ton. with strict Or
ders 10 buy 275.000 tons if possible, Sem
ator Calder made n correction.
"Col. Wentz's answer to us was that
he had no coal of his own to sell at that
time" said Senator Calder.
"Does the Senator think 1t Is the duty
OF our committee to reconcile the princi-
pie of common honesty with the practice
OF many coal operators?" interjected
Senator Kenyon Gowa). Republican.
with all the ability of this commit
tee" replied Senator Pomerene, 81 do
not think the members could do that. |
do think the facts which have been de-
ve'oped should be referred to the De-
partment of Justice"
Senator Pomerene had understood that
latter was in the War Department. and
suggested that "if he was in the army
at the time of the transaction the facts
should be reported to the Department for
court-martial"
Senator Calder explained that Col
Wentz was not in the army.
Senator Edge On. J), another MEM
Der of the investigating committee also
interrupted to say: "Co'. Wentz advised
the War Department not to buy coal at
that time"
1.-The officers insisted that he make
the purchase" continued Senator Edge,
land he did so, paying from $500 to Sil
q ton"
HAS any inquiry been made so that
the committee would understand the
need for the coal the War Department
wanted?" asked Senator Pomerene. 81
have such confidence in the integrity
of the Secretary of War that am sure
he would not have purchased coal at
this price unless he was imposed upon.
What ] desire TO direct to the atten-
tion of the Senate Is n coal producer
who is selling cCal from his own mine
at $3.50 a ton, and when it comes 20
getting coal for the Government buys
some one else's coal and sells II n Sll
a ton That course cannot be defended
"IIe did not sell his own coal at sii
a ton" persisted Senator Edge. SPEAK
ing, as he said. to keep the record
straight. "IIe was merely acting as u
purchasing agent under rigid instruc-
tons
HAS not the committee found" con
tinued Senator Pomerene, "tha9 exorbl-
tant charles were made on coal sup
piled for domestic and manufacturing
consumption as well ms on that supplied
for the Government
at has" replied Senator Calder
MANY of the coal operators in recent
months have set n most unfortunate
example to the country when there
should have been moral as well as
physical reconstruction"
The hearings in the coal inquiry have
been deferred temporarily because OF
the holiday season. but are to be re-
sumed after Christmas, when further
injuries will be made to clear up, II
possible, the extent of profteor'ng said
10 have been practised by Government
officials. together with other facts on
which light Is being sought.