The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-05-26
OPERATORS BACK
COAL PRICE CURB
Hoover Plan For Protection or Pub
lie Mine Chefs

Washington, May 1S.-Secritary
of Commerce Hoover, making the
first Governmental move to prevent
coal producers from taking advantage
of existing industrial strife by send.
ing coal prices skyward. today sub.
mittad to forty nonunion bituminous
coal operators and obtained their
unanimous approval of a plan design
ed to protect the public.
Kentucky operators. among others
were quick to gst behind Mr.. Hoov-
er's plan, which in substance calls for
a pooling arrangement to keep prices
down to a reasonable level.
The conference was called at the
direction of President Harding as the
result of increased coal prices being
put into effect at certain mines. Ac-
cording to c. w. Conner, representing
the Elkhorn & Shelby Creek Coal
Company, Esco, KY, no such action
has been taken in the nonunion fields
of Eastern Kentucky.
Number of Kentucky Representatives
Mr.. Conner, along with other Ken
lucky operators, spoke in favor of
the proposal during general discus
sion that followed Mr.. Hoover's adj
dress.
Besides Mr.. Conner, the Kentucky
repre- sentatives at the conference
were c. F.. Richardson, West Ken
lucky Coal Company of Sturgis; Cad
walader Jones, Marrowbone Mining
Company of ROckhouse; Henry
LAWYERS, Northeast & Southeast Com
pany of Paintsville; C. J. Neekmap,
of Ashland; ]. d. Francis. Bond
Creek Coal Company of Stone, and Z.
l.. Douglas of Hazard.
The plan proposed by Mr.. Hoover
provides for the creation of a COM
mite of operators with the Govern
ment and consumers representatives
in each district where coal now is
being produced through which all or
ders for coal will be cleared. A sim
liar general committee will be set up
in Washington.
Legality Is Assured.
Mr.. Hoover assured the operators
that such an arrangement would be
legal. declaring that Attorney General
has given an opinion that
such cooperative action to reduce
and hold down prices in the pablo in
terest" comes within the law
In opening the conference Mr..
Hoover told the operators who repre-
sent all the larger producing COM
panies not affected by the strike that
only distribution and price problems
would be discussed, emphasizing that
the wage or the strike question would
not be taken up.
I'VE desire particularly, Mr. Hoov-
er said, "to consider only such mea-
sure as may be done in a purely vo-
untary and cooperative way by the
men in the industry, with the assist
ance of the Government, to prevent |
profile ring and speculation in coal.
There is no law or governmental re-
Iuirement that could be enforced at |
his juncture, but have confidence
hat the operators of mines still in po-
'ition will cooperate to that end"
Hoover Lauded For Foresight.
Explaining conditions existing in
he coal Industry, Mr.. HooIer said
hat in certain districts, due to I'M
Ound distribution methods and COM
,etitive bidding, prices have advanced
trongly, while in other districts or
lers are still insufficient to keep
operating mines busy
Among the suggestions off red by
Ir. Hoover after he had detailed his
,lan was that he price level of 1917,
ixed by the wartime fuel administra-
ion, with minor adjustments to meet
hanges in wage scales, would serve
IS the top limit price for the commit
ees.. These prices ranged from ST.
,5 to $2.75. Thesa figures have
cared to from $3.50 to 81 ten in
ONE districts as the result of COM
,etitive bidding, it was said.
At the conclusion of his talk the
operative arose and congratulate Mr..
Hoover ION the foresight shown in
aking up this question in advance
# a probable need"