New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-20
Pllblic's Delay
In Buying Hits
Coal Industry
Bituminous Operators Say
Consumer Is Waiting for
Gut in Freight Rates
and Lowering of Prices
Warn of Winter Rush
Same Condition Exists i'm
the Anthracite Business:
Many Cars and Miners Idle

Soft coal operators from all coal
districts of the country now gathered
at the convention of the National Coal
Association at the Waldorf-Astoria see
nothing cheerful in the coal business
this coming winter if coal consumers
continue to refrain from buying coal.
J. d. A. Morrow, vce-president of
the association, said yesterday that
people were not buying coal and that
condition of what IS called "no mar
ket" exists to-day in the bituminous
coal industry.
Bituminous coal is not in great de-
mand here, being used principally by
public utilities. But even these soft
coal consumers are holding off, waiting
for freight rates to be reduced and ex-
pecting to get coal cheaper.
1t was pointed out yesterday that
this was grave mistake Those who
wait until the last moment before put
selves caught in the early winter rush.
Railroad conditions are not fitted for
such q strain. In fact, the entire coal
industry is fighting the present sys-
TEN of transportation assignments, it
was said.
Cites Spring Idieness
Mr.. Morrow said that at present
there were more than 100000 miners
and more than 100000 freight cars
idle because of the Discrimination of
coal consumers to buy coal.
While members of the National Coal
Association have nothing to do with
anthracite coal, it was learned else
where yesterday that the same difficult
ties will pertain this winter to the hard
coal industry unless consumers get
their orders in early. The transporta-
ton problem affects hard coal, too.
The National Coal Association is OPP
posed to the present practice of rail
roads giving preference in the assign
ment of cars to those mines having
railroad fuel contracts. 1t intends to
protest to the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
The association will also discuss to-
day the Frelinghuysen bill designed to
stabilize the coal industry. A com
mittee Of three will be chosen to sit
in the conference, along with repre-
sentatives of other branches of the coal
industry, which has been arranged
with Senator Frelinghuysen, Secretary
Hoover, Senator Cummins and Score
tary Fall, of the Interior Department.
Hoover Favors Publicity Campaign
Mr.. Hoover, in letter made public
yesterday, expressed himself in favor
OF a publicity campaign to stabilize the
industry. He said that the monthly
of totals of production,
stocks, consumption and average prices
would do much to keep the public in
formed on the actual coal situation.
BY illuminating to the public the mine
prices he believes that it would to some
extent mitigate extortionate prices and
undue low prices.
Senator Frelinghuysen, in letter
defending his bill, said he believed the
government should possess all facts
and figures concerning the industry.
Hasty legislation without proper prep
asration he deems unwise. He expressed
himself as opposed to any legislation
restricting or regulating the private
operation, of any industry.
resolution was passed by the as
sembled delegates at the coal conven-
ton expressing sorrow on the death of
franklin K. Lane, former Secretary of
the Interior.
The convention will be continued to-
day.