Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-26
LIMIT ON PROFITS
MAY FOLLOW COAL
PRICE CONFERENCE
Attorney General, Leaders in
Industry and Others to
Have Fuel Talk.

A definite ruling by the Department
OF Justice on what constitutes
profiteering in coal is expected to re-
suit from the conference tomorrow in
New York between Attorney General
Palmer and coal operators and repre-
sentatives Of business.
While the Attorney General, in an
'nouncing the ptt1dsssNesesAsea aSo6kSss
ence. stated that 1t was TO consider
the general situation with regard to
obtaining the advice and assistance Of
business men with respect to existing
conditions in the coal industry" the
meeting tomorrow is expected to have
more far-reaching results. This was
stated today by representative of an
ASSOCIATION OF coal men who is in close,
touch with the situation. The confer.
ence probably will last few days in
New York and adjourn for a meeting
in Washington, it was declared.
While 1t is known that the DEPART
ment of Justice has been investigating
and seeking indictments for a number
of men for alleged profiteering in coal,
this work. it is stated, has done MOTH
ing to lower the price of fuel, which
promises to become one of the most
important issues before the country
next fall.
Eject OF Demand for Coal,
Shortage of cars, leading to reports
of shortage of coal, has led many
manufacturers to rush to the mines,
it is stated, outbidding each other for
coal at any price. Such a practice
has raised the price of coal for in
dustry, with its reflection on the price
OF coal for home use.
II IS believed that if an agreement
can be reached between the Attorney
General, business men and coal op-
orators concerning a fair price for
coal, the result will be at least to
may be found, it is declared, that
prices can be lowered and leave the
operator fair margin of profit at the
same time.
1t has developed from investigation
by the Department of Justice that the
greatest profiteering in coal is by the
small. Independent mine owners and
operators. while the large CONSOLE
dated coal companies are willing to
snow their books. which, it is stated.
disprove any attempt to profiteer.
With fair margin of profit for coal
determined upon, it is predicted. the
Department of Justice can go for
prosecuting those dealers who reap an
exorbitant profit from the sale of coal.
Such campaign is known to be con-
sldered by the department now, and the
fuel situation generally is receiving the
closest attention of officials there.
- Better Supply in Sight.
Relief from coal shortage-both ac.
tual and threatened-for New Eng
land and the northwest was in sight
today. The Interstate Commerce
Commission indicated it was prepared
to issue an order for priority Of move
ment in the shipment of coal to New
england states. while railroads. un-
der a recent order of the commission
began to move coal to lake ports for
transshipment to the northwest
The order providing relief for New
England which the commission nlan.
ned to issue was expected to forbid
movement of coal to tidewater unless
consigned to New England. This
practically would mean an emharpo
on expectation, coal men said.
summer coal shipments to the
northwest have been less than haIf
enough to insure an adequate sun
ply during the coming winter The
Interstate Commerce Commission was
informed. A score of raiIroads viii
attempt to dump 1000 Carloads dai1v
at lake ports, the coal COMING froy
bituminous mines in western FennA
sylvania, Ohio. West Virginia, Vir-
gina, Kentucky and Tennessee.