Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-28
COAL MINE HEADS
TESTIMONY ENDS
Hear Jobbers and Wholesalers
at Statehouse Tomorrow.

Lower coal prices for Indiana seemed
probable today.
The States new coal commission Gre
ated by the General Assembly to regu-
late the industry. will white down the
prices, Ii was learned, unless the re-
taiIers aud jobbers present price data
70 counterfeit that given the commission
by the mine operators. at the first hear
ing to gather information on produc-
ing costs and price levels.
There win be a hearing tomorrow for
the jobbers and wholesalers and on
Oct. the retailers will appear.
The commission is, taking this means
70 give the coal men an opportunity to
lay their cards Gu the table.
WHOLESALERS MAY ASK
So PROFIT PER TON.
AS a result Of these hearings a State
wide scale Of prices will be announced
within few days, possibly by Monday.
An inkling Of what the wholesalers may
demand was revealed when one infor-
mslly told the commission be thought
the wholesale dealers should have aNmar-
gin OF So a ton.
IF we would give the operators the
margin they want and the other fellows
all the profit they ask, the price OF coal
would be higher than It is now" Jesse
Eschbach, chairman OF the commission.
said
In mis- remarks which closed the hear
ing, Chairman Eschbsch said: When
the commission makes this order IL viii
be fair.
zo.G~.
the commission to treat any one as a
criminal.
Il have noticed. during the discussion
this afternoon that most Of the objec-
tons that have been raised were re-
garding the Federal Government.
va that we have nothing to do.
My reputation for fair dealing in this
State guarantees you a fair price for
coal
1T is my intention and the inteH-
ton Of those associated with me 10 nx
fair prices.
III there is objection to the price Fixed
we will be ready at all times to conduct
hearing OF complaints.
This law was not passed to make
criminals OF you.
You will have our cooperation and
hope that you viii give US your hearty
cooperation.
Give us a chance"
PROTECTION ASKED
AGAINST DEPRECIATION.
James V. Fnbert- Of Linton, repre-
senting wagon mines in Greene County;
Robert J. Smith OF the Deep Vein Coal
Company at Princeton and West Terre
Haute. and Linton Fourth Vein mines
and Frank S. RawIey Of Terre Haute.
representing the Wagon Mine Operators
Association OF Indiana. were heard dur
ing the afternoon session.
The item OF depletion was brought be-
fore the commission by Mr.. Smith, who
stated that as the coal was mined the
property became less valuable.
He declared that operators should be
allowed a price which would provide for
the sinking of new shafts.
His attitude toward the commission
law was hostile
He blamed the press for the attitude
Of labor, explaining that the workers be-
lieved the operators were making 50 out
of each dollar they paid out for labor.
Mr.. Filbert stated that the wagon
mines proved a source of relief for trans
portation, and that a car shortage could
he considerably relieved by the wagon
mine operators.
Mr. Filbert also told Of an instance
where buyer volunteered IS a ton for
coal, when he could have purchased 1t
at much less price had he asked for It,
He declared that the purchaser was
badly in need OF coal and was glad TO
get it at any price.