Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-16
STATE COAL MEN
EAY PRIORITIES'
Plea for Better Distribution Is
Made in Resolution.

At this mornings session Of the fourth
annual convention Of the Indiana Retail
Coal Merchants Association at the Hotel
| SEVERN, q resolution relative to the
present priority orders of the Inter
state Commerce Commission, was
adopted, in which 1t was resolved that
"a modification Of priority orders in
such way as viii bring about the dis
tribution of n greatly increased supply
of coal to Indiana retailers be sought,
and that the officers of our association
take such steps as will bring about the
cooperation Of all State and community
forces necessary to procure such modt-
hcation.
Another resolution that was adopted
set forth that there has been consider
able loss in the production Of coal on
account Of the many strikes Of miners
and railroad workers during the last
year; that the members Of the associa
ton have until now refrained from buy
ing coal at the so-called open market
prices, and that as a result their yards
are bare.
WOULD LIMIT BUYING
TO OPEN MARKET COAL.
1t was resolved that the members OF
the Indiana retail association recon-
mend to fellow members to purchase only
so called open market coal in quantities
necessary to give each Of their customers
small amount with which to start the
season.
Retailers are to be. urged to purchase
only moderate amounts until the supply
is improved.
Another resolution that was presented,
but on which no action was taken at the
morning session, opposed the ''so-called
o1d EA,aI Of
Discussion of this resolution was only
fairly under way when the hour for
noon adjournment arrived.
The report Of Secretary R. r. Yeagleys
showing activities of the association dur
ing the past year, and the report OF the
treasurer, George q. Bruner, Of Koko-
mo, were read.
The program for the closing session In
cludes the election Of officers, addresses
and discussions Of present conditions.
Various problems relative to Transport
tation OF coal by common carriers were
touched upon By william J. Womer,
Chicago, chairman Of the transportation
committee Of the National Retail Coal
Merchants Association, in his talk at
last nights session.
great part of his talk was devoted
to claims against common carriers for
loss IN transit and on other grounds. and
following his talk he answered many
questions asked by members along this
line.
He touched upon the Importance Of
national association and said that there
were many matters Of national scope
that can be handled only By an or
! ganization.
In referring to the claims against COM
mon carriers, he said that Ii was his
idea that such claims should be handled
through an asssociation-not a national
association, but a city association, or IL
there Is not a city association available,
through q State association.
The other speaker was Dick Miller,
president Of the City Trust Company.
who touched upon financial conditions,
and said it was his opinion that this
country is starting into the most won
derful era of prosperity any nation has
ever known.
In his talk at yesterday afternoons
session of the convention George n. Cush-
ing. Washington, D. c., managing d.
rector OF the American Wholesale Coal
Association, touched upon the movement
Of anthracite and smokeless coal, ana
pointed out that there would be little
OF this kind of coal in this State as the
result OF the demand elseyhere for the
available supply.