The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-28
into FUEL PRICES
Kansas May Regulate Gasoline
and Oil Charges.
Labor Tribunal of State Con-
siders Distribution.
CONFERENCE WILL Be HELD
Coal Operators Will Meet in
Topeka Saturday.
Coal Prices at Mines Will Be
Fixed Soon.
CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD

Kansas may regulate prices on fuel
oil and gasoline as well as coal under
plans considered today by the indus
trial court. If the labor tribunal
takes over the task of fixing prices of
all fuel, 1t may also direct distribution.
Immediate steps will be taken to al
locate. coal shipments. A conference,
with coal operators will be held here
Saturday.
Following a conference of the indus
trial court judges today it was an
nounced that prompt action would be
taken to handle all fuel shipments.
Questionnaires were sent to all public
utilities concerning their demands and
available fuel supplies. The first ac-
ton will be to supply these interests
as well as Industrial plants. Priority
shipments, tho, will be made to pub
lie utilities.
At Saturdays conference with the
coal operators a complete and com
prehensive program will be perfected
regarding the handling of all fuel.
Detailed information will be gathered
concerning tonnage from the various
mines. Thru the public utilities COM
mission cars for movement of fuel
will be placed under directions of the
Industrial court.
To Fix Coal Prices.
Coal prices at the mines will be
fixed at an early date. No action was
at To-Day conference regarding
the making of positive prices.
Retail prices to individual consum-
ers will also be regulated. In a few
days notices will be sent to retailers
regarding the profits which will be
approved by the industrial court Re-
tailers who seek a greater profit than
that fixed by the labor court will be
denied future shipments.
The industrial court will cooperate
with Herbert Hoover, secretary of
problems. Distribution of coal from
the Kansas mines will be directed en-
tirely by the state organization, but in
keeping with the general program
established by Secretary Hoover. -
May Control Gasoline.
It was apparent today that in the
handling of fuel shipments the indus
trial court might control not only the
movements of coal, but also shipments
of fuel oif-and gasoline. In its survey
of needs of public utilities the court
is making inquiry as to the availa BILE
supply of fuel OIL
Control of the gasoline supply was
not discussed today. There was a
report in the state house, however,
that in event of serious conditions the
industrial court might control use
and shipment of the enormous gaso-
fineries. None of the labor court
judges, however, would discuss this
feature of the fuel situation.
Messages to Operators.
Messages were today sent to a num-
Der of the operators in the Kansas
and southwestern coal fields. They
were asked to come to Topeka Satur-
day for the conference which will
discuss both production and prices.
Members of the public utilities COM
mission and railroad representatives
may also be asked to meet with the
court to discuss the question of trans
portation.
Governor Allen is not in the city.
He left Thursday night for Illinois and
will not return to Topeka until next
Wednesday. Following his visit to
Illinois he will go to his home in
Wichita, where he will remain until
after the statewide primaries next
Tuesday.