Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-09

olnpos ton Will be made to the mine pur-
chase bill
II Is expected that coal mine operators
VIII attend the session On force in an ef
fort TO defeat the measure.
COMMITTEE
WORKS ON BILL.
Since The definite announcement that
the special session would he called. n
comm ttce, headed br Ed Jackson. sec
rotary Of state. ana advised by GOV
James L. Goodrich and Maurice q. Shel-
ton, secretary Of the joint purchasing
beard has been OF work on tie bin 10
he presented.
l. - understood that the bill is now In
the hnal stages Of preparation. and that
II viii be ready TO present when the SEES
sion opens Monday.
No selection has been made as yet Of
the assemblyman who will present the
bill
Several mines are under consideration
for purchase should the bin receive IA
vorable action, and while the purchase
might not be made AZ once while the
authority Is vested In the hands Of the
purchasing board. opportunity for re-
course from the onen market viii be hnd
In permission TO buy and operate a state
mine.
STATE NINE
ONLY SOLUTION.
Those who have kent in close touch
with the coal situation in Indiana In the
last few weeks have been more than ever
convinced tina "a state operated mine IS
the only solution Of the problem Of fur
nishing fuel for the state institutions
Investigations have been conducted re-
Gently by the purchasing board. through
the state bureau Of mines and with the
fwfa .d
board Of accounts.
As a result Of these Investigations, It
has been estimated that coal can be
mined and delivered to the state insti-
tutions, with all overhead expense paid
for a cost Of approximately $3.50 to S1.75
per ton.
THE difference In the cost of mining
the coal per ton, by the state is so much
lower than the present costs of mining
by private ownership that many people
will actually believe we are crazy" said
Mr.. Shelton, speaking of the proposed
purchase.
From figures given liz, by the exam
liners from the state board Of accounts.
and the state bureau of mines IL is
evident that at the present time, coal
mining cost per ton, is far more than it
should he.
PEAK PRICE
NOT REACHED.
THAT coal has not yet reached the
peak in price, is indicated by state
ment made to me recently by n coal
operator, who was in my office.
This man has two mines, one of
which | knew was closed down for re-
pairs.
Il asked him why he was not operat-
ing the other mine.
" 1t has been operating now for about
a day and a half he replied.
80 would think that you would OPP
crate as much MS possible now, to get in
on these good prices + told him
:" Ah, Shelton, there is plenty Of time
to get in on these prices. for the limit
has not yet been reached he told me-
$50 you see there is some necessity for
action and | believe that the purchase
of mine by the state is the only solu-
ton
1t is not believed that the mine pur-
chase bill will be opposed on the floor OF
the legislature, because Of its being pro-
posed In the special session.
Because of the extreme necessity for
action. it is predicted that the bill will
be sent through to passage with II
minimum Of debate, the only opposition
which is likely to come, being from the
coal operators.