The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-06-07
KENTUCKY FIELD
BARS COAL DEAL
Western Operators Pefuse Price
Set By Hoover and
Backed By Others.

ing tine coal strike Wnen they re-
fused fatty to enter into a moral
agreement" to hold their prices for
spot" coal to a maximum of $3.50
a ton, as operators in majority of
other fields already have done.
The Kentuckians, whose mines
are the only union ones not affected
by the strike, due to "no-strike
contract" fixed their top figure at
s4.25, and the end of a conference,
lasting for fully thirty, minutes be-
hind closed doors, revealed that
they had not backed down.
/ Hoover Voices Disappointment
| Mr.. Hoover's disappointment was
plainly evident when he called in
newspaper men at the close of the
session.
II regret that a small minority
have refused to cooperate and are
demanding higher prices" Mr..
Hoover declared, and in the snme
breath he pointed out that the Gov
eminent has no authority to force
an agreement, ''the matter being
purely moral question and one
of cooperation"
He added that consumers "who
are not treated fairly" may appeal
to him and that their cases would
be investigated.
A formal statement issued by Mr.. I.
Hoover on the Western Kentucky
conference reads:
The operators in the West Ken
lucky fields do not feel that they
can agree to a lower price than
$4.25. I have not felt that could ,
recommend this price to the con- 4,
Stunning public and the matter is, {
therefore, under further considera-
ton. .
Higher Costs Is Argument
They feel that their costs have |
Increased materially beyond the in i
creases in other fields. On the @
other hand, my persent feeling is 4
hat they should, in the general in 8
terest, adhere to the maximum ac- :
'epted by the majority of the opera
.ors in other fields"
Rush l.. Holland, assistant At
orney General, tonight said that
William Bells appointment was
approved, though investigation by
he Department of Justice revealed
reports, but in view of
he strong support given Mr. Bell :
~ Senator Ernst and Representa-
i've Ogden he was given the bene-
it of the doubt"
Some of the reports" Mr.. Hol-
and added, "were found to be I'M
rue and others exaggerated great
" According to Mr.. Holland the l.
Investigation not ony went into A
3ell's character but his geeral fit
less for the post.
kcntuckians Are Disappointed l.
The operators at first were reluc-
ant to discuss the Hoover confer
nee, but statement later was is
ued by them after they had been
Informed that Mr.. Hoover had
lade an announcement.
According to one of the Ken
uckians the wages paid in the West
lentucky fields are more than so
er cent higher than those paid in a
ny other field,
The Garfield scale for the West :
-entucky field, which was used as
general basis in fixing maxi
lum price in the various fields,
lnged from s2.35 to $3.50 a ton.
is said that the top price pre-
ailing in that field at the present
me is s425, the figure recom-
ended to Mr.. Hoover.
According TO Mr.. Hooyer's state
ent, the West Kentucky matter
Ill was under consideration, but
10 committee members said they
id not been invited for further
'nferences. Several members of
le Kentucky committee indicated
at they would leave for home to-
sht. The committee included r.
:. Hunter of Providence, @. w.
'ylor Of Greenville. C. f. Richard
N, OF sturgis, f. b. Rash, OF
arlington, Brent Hart, Of Madi-
nyille and Virgil Y. Moore. of
adisOnviHe.
Failure OF Mr. Aoover and the
est Kentucky operators 10 agree
the first snag the Administration
IS encountered with he producers
attmptins TO hold down coal
ices duIfnk the strike merely by