The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-20
K|LBY TELLS COAL MEN HOOVER TERMS
 WILL BE ENFORCED
Operators Informed by Cover nor That Cars Will Be With held From Those Violat-
 ing Agreement

Montgomery, August 19.- Especially Governor kilby told a committee rep resenting the large coal operators of the Birmingham district Saturday afternoon that until the alleged Hoover agreement regarding price limitations isa changed the forces of the state will seek to keep 1t effec- tive by withholding cars from those wLo do not abide by the terms of the alleged agreement
 The committed composed of Frank Nelson, Jr.. Mir Adler, S. l.. YerlSes, Carl Mccormick and A. B. Aldrich, came to the capitol to put the coal operators side before the governor. This visit resulted primarily from Governor Kilbys statement declaring that profiteering would be prevented, that cars would be withheld from those who do not abide by the agree ment, and that if this method failed another method. presumably an extra ssssion of the legislature, would be effective. s's s'ff'i.
 The committee insisted. first, that there is not any agreement between the Alabama coal operators and Sec retary Hoover, and that they cannot continue to operate under the prices provided by the so-called agreement. Second, that 80 per cent of the coal operators of Jefferson county row are actually selling coal by contract at Prices under desires to have effective in Alabama. It was pointed out by the commit- it was pointed out by the commit tee that the large coal operators now dispose of their coal by contract and that these contracts. made at a time when conditions were vastly different, stipulated prices which are far below those of the Hoover schedule. It was also contended that with changed conditions 1t will be necessary for the coal operators to obtain higher prices If they are to continue in business
 Must Protect Consumer
 Governor Kilby told the committed that the existence of an agreeme n { whereby coal prices were to be 25 cents ton under the original Gar field agreement had never been made an issue until recently, although 1t was published several months ago that such a modification of the orig inal Garfield agreement had been made.
 He said 1t would be necessary for the state to protect the interests of Alabama consumers by using such methods as may be necessary to maintain the prices of the so-called Hoover agreement until there had been modification. He said the state could not set or control coal prices but could use its power in con- junction with the interstate com merce commission in withholding n g freight cars from those who do not abide by the prices of the so-called Hoover schedule.
 The committee told the governor it would send representatives to Washington during next week in the hope of putting the situation before Secretary Hoover and effecting m understanding whereby the proper prices. according to the view of tn, coal operators, might be established
 The committee further said the coal operators did not want to be put be- fore the people in the light of prof iteers. that they desired to have an understanding whereby the people may know what prices arc to be charged and at the same time will give the operators a fair profit on their business.