New-York tribune., 1920-11-07
: Threats Send
Coal Prices
Down I'm Citv:
Dealers in Fear of Z. S.
Control; Public Utilities
Have Only Two Weeks ,
|. Il. I. 4 Days, Supply

The greatest Consideration has been
caused in the coal industry through
the utimatum issued by Senators Cal
der and Edge that unless coal comes
down in price before December a
recommended for government con-
troll would be made to the United States
Senate
The extent Of this alarm became ap-
parent yesterday by the flood of state
mcnts issued by various operators as
sociations and wholesalers associa-
tions. The general trend of these
statements was that the coal situation
both as regards bituminous and an
thracitc-was now normal and tha-
prices had materially fallen.
The Wholesale Coal Trade Associa-
ton, of 80 West Street, issued state
ment in which it was declared that
bltuminous coal was coming into this
city in increasing quantities and at q
price ranging from So to Sc q ton less
than week ago.
Public Utilities Short Supply
Against this statement is another
issued by the Public Service Commits
public utilities of the city. This shows
that there is an average Of only fifteen
days supply under the pooling arrange
ment, and that the Interboroug gh
Rapid Transit Company has but four
days supply on hand
Figures received by the United States
Senate Committee on Reconstruction
of which Senator Calder is the head
also show that the assertion made BY
the coal operators that prices have
been reduced is not borne out in tht
case OF the Boston Elevated Railroad
trustees. On October 26 the trustee.
of this corporation paid $12.s9 tor
at the mine for bituminous coal, anc
to this amount was added the freight
rate to Boston of $3.50 a ton.
While the statement issued by Sena-
tors Calder and Edge dealt in general
with coal, it was pointed out that an.
thracite had been forced off the rail
roads BY priority orders in favor of
bituminous coal. Senator Calder yes.
terday, however, pointed out that the
anthracite operators in certain case
had been equally guilty of bad prac-
tees.
Anthracite Situation Watched
The United States Committee on
Reconstruction" he said, "will watch
the anthracite situation during the next
thirty days very carefully to see
whether there is any material reduc-
tlon III price to the consumer. The
anthracite men will be given full op-
portunlty to present their side of the
situation before the committee within
the next three weeks"
Beyond this the Senator would not
go, but there WAS no mistaking his at
tltude on the situation. 1t is now fairly
certain that the advance report of the
committee will be presented to the
Senate when the Congress convenes
1t is equally as certain that this report
wsll be very strong in its recommends
tlon Tor the immediate control of the
coal industry by the government, un-
less there is large reduction in the
price of coal not only at the mines
but to the ultimate consumer. Should
IT be necessary to make such a rcport
the recommendations, it is understood
VIII be pressed with great vigor by
every member of the committee.
AS against the statements of the
coal operators that the situation was
normal, Franklin I. Miller. adviser to
me Calder committee, yesterday made
public communication from J. w
Lieb, chairman of the national com
mittee on gas end electric service
which was forwarded to the Interstate
Commerce Commission on November
8, last, on the envelope of which an
peared the following notation:
THE Interstate Commerce Commits
sion must assign cars under Service
cd