New-York tribune., 1921-01-13
the industry and used or divulged "nly

the industry and used or divulged nnly
as suits their whim or purpose.
"Our inve stigation has disclosed. frst
that even after enjoining a government
agency the Federal Trade Commission,
from gathering such facts for general
use and dissemination. the bituminous
coal industry through their national
cred from its members all that the
Federal Trade Commission requested
and many more items, and, second, that
while these facts were then known to
the coal operators they have induced
biased and self-serving publicity
propaganda, even boasting Of having
gotten their story out through The AS
sociated Press as Associated Press
news.
"Your committee believes a regular
and impartial disclosure Of the facts OF
the industry by districts as to supply
and mine costs and prices will do
much to prevent continuance or recur-
renee Of profiteering..
ITO enforce the giving OF accurate
figures the bill proposes a licensing
system of all operators and dealers
conditioned normally only on the fur
Wishing Of the required information.
In any emergency threatening either
unreasonable prices or shortage OF
coal supply and public health the
President is authorized to FIX there
upon maximum prices, commissions
and margins over the whole or any
portion Of the United States, as the
situation may warrant, and he may
th.n revoke the license of any one
charging higher than the maximum
Price fixed, and each such excess
charging Is also made a misdemeanor.
This section also authorizes the Pres
ident to deal in coal and control its
prod Action, movement and distribution,
SO as to put the government and not
those self-interested in control in such
an emergency when the usual laws Of
trade are in suspense. but limited only
and in the protection of the public
health.
Question Of Responsibility
"While profiteering has been both
proved and admitted, there exists con-
troversy as to exactly who Is responsi-
BILE and to what extent. For example,
as to the 100000 tons purchased by
tn. War Department on the spot mar
average mine price greater than 9
reasonable original mine price sepa-
rated such price from what the govern
ment was forced to pay-to wit, an
excess of $3.50 ton average for the
whole amount bought. How many re-
sales and profits this represents in
the different instances only a complete
tracing of ehch carload will disclose
"To meet such situation (and the
committee feels that such legislation
will be helpful on the high cost of
wing in other lnes) the bill has a
provision taxing brokers' sales above
certain margin for the sale Of coal
lad direct from the producer, and AK
ing such sales to q much greater roint
on subsequent or useless pyramidine
sales between dealers. This is calcu-
lated to drive coal in direct channel
from producers to consumers and keep
it out Of the whirlpool of endless com.
m'ssi"ns and margins.
ITO prevent protiteerng through sub
sidiary or affiliated concerns. prac
tce which has become general, The
bill provides against such interest &c
inside dealings b. provisions similar
! TO Section 10 Of the Clayton act pro
hibiting such dealings in the case o:
railroads.
"The committee and its staff hav.
quite carefully considered the pro
visions Of the bill and have taken con
siderable counsel on them. and we be
lcve it's pr mpt enactment will be
distinct forward step and will accom-
plish much both as remedial and pre-
vcntve measure"