Evening star., 1922-12-13
COAL BAN RELAXED
AS PRICES DECLINE
Bituminous Situation Much I'm
proved, Says Engineer Com
missioner.


proved to such an extent in Wash
ington that the Utilities Commission
has practically dropped supervision
over this type of fuel. Engineer
Commissioner Keller stated today
that the dealers have been released
from the requirement of submitting
daily reports on deliveries of btu
mious coal
In this same connection 1t was
learned that the retail price Of bitu-
minous coal has dropped approxi-
mately SO cents per tor.
A man in close touch with the local
coal situation stated that the average
price per ton for small orders of soft
coal is now $40. He explained that
apartment houses or other concerns
using large quantities Of bituminous
probably get a more favorable price.
Discussing the coal situation. En-
Sineer Commissioner Keller declared
That the commission already has eX-
lin!ned tie books of number of the
larger dealers and has found that
reasonable profit
The inquiry which the commission
has made into the accounts of deal
trs was done with the Cooperation OF
the coal men and the commission has
.reated Information thus obtained as
confidential.
More Anthracite Shipment.
While shipments of anthracite to
Washington have increased somewhat
in the past ten days. coal men said
this fuel goes out Of the yards on
delivery wagons as fast as it arrives.
An official of one of the largest
dumps in the city stated today that
the present cold wave should impress
upon all househ olders the necessity
,or buying at least a small quantity
Of coke or other anthracite substi-
.utes.
This official said that there still ap-
pears to be an unwillingness on the
part of many consumers to try by
product coke. although coke now COM
grade for household use.
1t is expected that with the cessa
ton on anthracite shipments TO tine
AXE regions this month the deliveries
of hard coal to Washington Will IN
crease. Even IL this occurred, how
ever. officials of the Utilities Com
mission believe it will be necessary
FOR householders to take part of their
winter requirements in the form OF some
substitute.
District coal dealers. subpoenaed by
the federal fact-iinding coal commits
sion Monday to give reasons for the
recent rise in prices of anthracite
coal, will resume their testimony be
fore the commission next Saturday
morning.
The commission today communi-
Gated with District Attorney Peyton
the men indicted last year by grand
Jury appearing before the commission
in oral testimony during the course
OF the hearings on local coal prices.
Mr. Gordon's reply to the commission
Is expected to be given late Today,
and until it is given none of the In
dicted men VIII be asked to TESTIFY
before the coal commission.
Qualification OF Testimony.
member of the commission point
ed out today that the giving OF
sworn testimony before the federal
fact ct-fiinding body might technically
fnyalidate the indictment against the
man giving the testimony. AS the in
dictments were returned prior to tn"
calling OF the present hearing. an
expression from the district attorney
regarding appearance OF the indicted
men is desired by the coal commission
before they are called upon 20 testify
regarding prices OF anthracite coal in
the District.
At the conclusion Of the hearings it
is not probable that the commission
will issue any recommendations to
the public regarding the proper price
to be paid for coal in the District of
Columbia Powers Of the commission.
according to George Otis Smith. u
member, are not arbitrary in any
sense. The commissions duties are
concerned with finding out the facts
in the coal industry, and it feels that
the publicity gained by holding a
series of hearings will do more good
than any recommendation it may s.
sue. In the meantime. however. the
commission agrees with the federal
fuel distributor that use Of substi-
tutes for anthracite may be found
necessary among local householders
this winter. and will be found cheaper
in price.
The commission was represented as
holding the view. also. that the hearings
on the local coal price matter would
have a wider scope in interesting re-
tail dealers in other cities. who might
be called before the COM
mission to testify similarly.