The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-11-10
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 10, 1920
HOPE FOR COAL USERS.

The action of the Anthracite Coal OPP
orators association at a recent meeting
in Philadelphia has just been made pub
/ lie and gives the consumer paying exorbi-
/ tant prices some hope of relief before
winter is over. The association adopted
these resolutions:
That we pledge to the department of
Justice the cooperation and aid of the
anthracite operators in attempting to re
duce excessive prices of coal to the con-
Sumors by stabliZing the anthracite coal
market and eliminating such bad prac-
ticeS as may have grown up in the in
dustry through improper and unsatls-
factory methods of distribution.
That producers refuse to sell to brOk-
crS or Wholesalers who have not estab-
lished business or clientele. to the end
that outlaw buying and consequent tic-
titous and artificial prices cannot be
created by persons not interested IN the
business.
That no sales be made to wholesalers
or brokers in the absence Of an agree
ment that the coal will not be sold to
other wholesalers or jobbers in the same
market. to the end that unnecessary mid
dlcmen and their accompanying profit
may not increase the price of coal to the
consumer.
That the local requirements for dOmes-
vided and protected.'
The policies committee of the anthra-
cite operators also provided for the early
formation of fair price committee, as
has been done by some of the bituminous
mine owners, and they further agreed
That the fair price committee shall
advise the department of justice what
are considered by it to be fair, staple
r,rsffsa ErTs |n u1s5T1 1nCt n
anthracite coal, and what is considered
by it to be fair and reasonable profit
a ton to govern prices exceeding the fair
and stable prices Where prices are
charged by operators which are higher
than tho>e indicated by the committee
such operators should, upon request of
the fair price committee, file with the
| committee the production costs, books
and other data necessary to SubStantIate
! them with the committee and with the
department of Justice. These costs plus
/ the fair and reasonable profit as above
| indicated can be the only justification
, for the prices charged in excess Of the
! fair, stabilized prices indicated by the
| committee.
1t is realized that fair distribution is
1 closely identified with fair prices in &C
| complishing the general results which
! the department of justice seeks. Each
operator pledges himself to an equitable
| distribution of his product, based on
! the average of the last three years to the
communities dependent upon his coal,
| so the domestic needs of such cOmmunI-
/ ties may be taken care of. Where coal
is sold through a wholesaler the pro
ducer should see that it is distributed
| to such communities as have been in the
| past dependent upon that producers coal,
so that such communities may continue
| to get such tonnage as a part of their
| necessary domestic supply.
| The Reformer has urged that specu-
Iation by illegitimate middlemen be elm
mated and coal consumers be freed from
| the tribute levied by these leeches on le-
Ultimate costs of fuel. The anthracite
operators have pledged their service to
accomplish this and the consumer may
begin to hope for relief from the exces-
sive prices he is forced to pay at the
present time. The plan looks more prom
Using than political interference with
business and may open the way for pro
ducers of other necessities to insure
fair prices and treatment to the con
sumner.