Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-08-05
Maine Fuel Director
Sends Letters to Two
Portland Dealers
Action Follows Reported Ad-
vance of SOC Tonic Pro-
tect Interests of Consumer
Washington Asked for Prior
tiles on Canneries and Corn
Canning Establishments

The morning papers Friday con-
tanned an item to the effect that BIZ
luminous coal had been advanced SOC
per ton in Portland, this being sec
ond advance within a comparatively
short time. The Maine Fuel Admin
istratlon in its desire to protect the
interests of the consumer and with
out in any way rejecting upon the
dealers who advanced the price, wired
the Portland dealers asking them
about the reported advance and fol-
lowed the telegram with a letter
which reads as follows:
August fourth. 1922.
To the Coal Dealers:
The newspape reports indicate
that two advances already have been
made in the price Of bituminouS coal
in Portland At a time like this when
there is a serious shortage of fuel and
when the public is watching every
step | believe it is proper for the
Maine Fuel Administration to inquire
into each and every advance in price.
Will YOU please inform me the dates
on which the alleged advances were
made, the amount OF coal you had on
hand on those dates, and give me in
each case the rea sons for your adj
vance. | believe that the public is
entitled TO know just what the situa-
ton is and if we take them into our
confidence We will avoid criticism.
There Will be a tendency to advance
prices and il it goes unchecked the
people ;of Maine will suffer. l write
ibic Lot to- in, f,.i1nI1,, Spirit
should appreciate receiving this in
formation Immediately. This is to
supplement telegram sent YOU today.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) a. T. LANE,
Director Maine Fuel
Administration.
1t is the intention of the State Fuel
Administration to follow up all adj
vances in price Of fuel and ask for
reasonable explanation.
Priority Asked For
Director Lane has already wired
Washington asking for priorities on
coal TO he used in the sardine Gamer
les in Washington county and in the
corn canning establishments through
out the state. 1t is important that
fuel be supplied these essential indus
tries in which so many Maine people
are employed and which use Maine
raw material. AS other requests come
to the administration they will be
taken UP promptly and every effort
made to secure priorties on coal
shipments.
Maine Fuel Committee
lo Of
committee was announced today as
follows:
Observation-Disclosures p. Baxter.
governor
Director-Andrew J. Lane, Minin-
ockct.
Assistant director-Everctt r. JOS
selyn, Portland
Advisory committee - James G.
Hamlen, Portland; Charles ID. Cros-
by Bangor; Charles Sumner Cook,
Portland; Percy V. Hill Augusta;
Eugene 7. Savage, Bangor; George
j.. Macomber Augusta Harry NJ.
Nerrill, Portland; Henry H. Hastings,
Bethel; Herbert A. Lombard, Bridg-
ton; Ernest f. Clason, Lisbon Falls;
Willis +. Swift. Augusta; George a.
Gregory, Boothbay Harbor; George
w. Stearns, Millinocket; Clarence \.
Powers, Fort Fairfield; Harry Stet-
son, Lewiston; belmont Emerson, Is
land Falls; Daniel +. Field, Phillips;
Elmer s. Bird, Rockland; Forrest II.
Bond, jefferson; Aretas L. Stearns,
Rumford: William 5. Newell, Bath;
Carleton 2. Merrill, Skowhcgan; AL
fred X. Ames, Machias; Cecil +.
Clark, Hollis; Orlando f. Frost, Bel
fast; Edwin NJ. Hamlin, Milo: George
r Foster Ellsworth