The Washington times., 1921-01-19
COAL CHARGES
CLAIMED JUST
Morrow Declares Bituminous
Operators Have Margin Of
Profit Less Than Shown.

Flat denial Of excess charges hav-
ing been made for bituminous coal
by operators was entered today be-
fore the Senate Manufacturers Com
mittce, considering the Calder Coal
industry regulation bill, by J. ID. A.
Morrow. vice president OF the Ma
tional Coal Association.
MORROW Is skEPTICAL.
Morrow said survey made by the
coal association shows that the aver
age price asked for coal was s347
per ton with production costs total
ing s2.76 per ton. The prices were
based on figures obtained from the
production and sales records on 100,
600, 900 tons.
The margin of II cents is reduced
to 81 to SO cents by taxes and over.
head. Morrow declared.
Morrow was skcptical OF the pur.
poses and possibilities of the Calder
bill. He told the committee that the
Department of Justice issued orders
forbidding the printing of statistics
bill.
"Did the expectation OF large
amounts of coal prevent the ship
ment of coal TO New England" SEN
ator Walsh. Democrat. of Massa-
chusotts, asked. p
REED ASKS QUESTION.
1t was a factor" Morrow sail.
" rir -fTlure OF the people of NeN
England TO buy carly also was factor
in the scarcity and high prices
DO 1 understand that the Inter-
state Commerce Commission can limit
exports from the United States?' Sem
ator Reed, Democrat, OF Missouri.
asked, when it was brought out that
the /. c. c. can regulate coal exports
by priority orders.
The power of the commission. if
exercised. could indirectly affect en-
ports" Morrow declared.
Senator Walsh declared in favor of
milk and coal embargoes for the pub
lie welfare" at times OF shortage.
When the production of coal sank
to its lowest for the whole year cX-
portation doubled" Walsh continued
That certainly affected the price.
BLAMEs swIICHMEN.
'Tes. but it would not have been so
the switchmens strike" Morrow ex-
planned.
you say the switchmen's strike pre-
vented the sending of coal to tide
water" Walsh declared You know
there was more coal sent to Hampton
Roads during the month of the
switchmens strike than before"
What were the costs of coal pro-
duction in West Virginia so we can
base figures of profits on the export
coal?" Walsh continued.
we do not have the production fig
ures for West Virginia separately"
Morrow said
"why don't you?" Walsh asked.
Before Morrow had an opportunity
to answer Walsh asked several other
questions. Senator Reed asked that
the witness be given an opportunity
to answer. a sharp tilt between
Walsh and Reed followed,
At the conclusion OF the argument
between the Senators Morrow said,
The coal industry does not operate
on n cost plus basis. II operates for
profit"
WALSH SHOUTS QUERY.
"Yes, free to charge high prices"
Walsh shouted.
THE same opportunity you have"
Morrow retorted. You are in favor
OF an export embargo because OF the
needs of manufacturing plants In New
England. II coal is to be held in tins
country that goods for the welfare
OF the country this coal Is needed 10
manufacture should be held here py
embargo. DO not prohibit exports OF
coal unless you prohibit the export
of commodities manufactured by coal
What would you do with the West
Virginia coal New England cannot
consume. amounting to 1,2Ooooo tons
a month";" Morrow asked.
"t am not the witness" Walsh said
"Wcn. will answer for you. You
would keep this coal in West virginia
and lower production. These mines
were opened for an export business,
uarrou said.