Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-10-06
COAL ACTION
by GOVERNOR
Edwards Says Independent
Companies Charge S14.50
Wires Governor SprouI

TRENTON, Oct. e-Charging that
independent coal operators are
charging $14.50 a ton which is Sc
in excess of the price of anthracite
coal at the mines fixed upon by
Governor William T. Sproul of
Pennsylvania and the fuel commits
sion of that state. Governor Ed
wards today sent a telegram to
Governor Sproul asking the latter
to take action so that New Jersey
can procure the coal supply allot-
ed by Pennsylvania to this state.
The governor, in his telegram. stat
ed hat a most embarrassing and
serious situation" was produced be-
coal dealers of New Jersey
have been depending upon getting
coal from Pennsylvania, and that
it would be impossible for these
dealers to pay the price asked by
the Independent operators, rs the
retail dealers have predicated their
prices upon the charge of $3.50 per
ton, the price which Pennsylvania
authorities declared was to prevail
at the mines.
Governor Edwards and the New
Jersey Fuel Commission also noti-
fed C. + Spens, federal fuel dis
tributor OF the complaints that in
dependent operators were proiteer-
ing on coal at the expense of local
coal dealers.
It was stated hat fully twenty
five per cent. of the hard coal COM
ing into this state is handled by in
dependent operators and that many
of the coal dealers, particularly in
south Jersey are entirely supplied by
these operators.
With action by the Pennsylvania
authorities assured and with the
federal fuel distributor invested
with the full powers of the federal
government it was said that exces-
sive charges for coal would be STOP
ped.
The governors wire to Governor
Sproul follows:
Hon. William c. Sproul,
"Governor of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, Pa,
complaints are coming in dairy
to our New Jersey Fuel Commission
from our retail dealers, of the IN
~sistence by independent operators in
charging as high as $14.50 or $500
in excess of the maximum price per
ton fixed by yourself and your state
commission as the price for anthra-
cite coal at the mines. This pro-
Guces a most embarrassing and seri-
Gus situation inasmuch as many of
our local dealers have been depend
ing on the independent operators
for their supply, particularly in the
South Jersey section and immedt-
ately adjacent to Philadelphia
Following your proclamation
establishing the maximum rate OF
E o r n 49, - 80 +hn min &c ~ GfAEn
commission accepted hal as the
base rate and fixed a retail rate not
to exceed the margin of profit pre-
vaillng last March ~predicated on
that rate al the mines. Should me
retail dealers attempt to contine
themselves to the price SO fixed, you
will readily understand that it
would be impossible for them L
pay the price demanded by inuepen-
den operators.
Cannot something be done to
remedy this situation in time for
US to assure the public of their PIC
portion of the supply allocated 10
New Jersey by your state comm.s-
sion in accordance with the fair
price to which they are led TO be-
lieye coal would be secured through
cur cooperation with the authori-
ties of Pennsylvania and the fed
eral government?
"EDWARD I. EDWARDS,
Governor "
The letter to the federal fuel dis
tribution follows:
&c. E. Spens. Fed'l Fuel Distributor,
"71s Eighteenth St., N. W..
washington, D. c.
"Complaints are coming in daily
to our New Jersey Fuel Commission
from our retail dealers, of the in
s'stence by independent operators In
charging as high as $14.5O or $500
In excess OF the maximum price per
ton fixed by Governor Sproul and
the Pennsylvania State Commission
as the price for anthracite coal at
the mines. This produces a most
embarrassing and serious situation
inasmuch as many of our retail deal
ers have been depending IN the in
dependent operators for their sup
ply, particularly in the South Jersey
section and Immediately adjacent to
Philadelphia.
FOLLOWING the proclamation of
Governor Sproul establishing the
maximum rate of $3.50 per ton at
the mines our state commission ac-
cepted that as the base rate and fix
ed a retail rate not to exceed the
margin of profit prevailing last
March predicated on that rnaxirlum
rate of $3.50 per gross ton at the
mines. Should he retail dealers at
tempt to confiae themselves to the
price so fixed, you will readily I'M
derstand that it would be impossible
for them to pay the price demanded
by the independent operators and
supply their customers.
Since the PRONUNCIATION of Cover
nor Sprouts proclamation, fixing
1850 as the maximum price per
gross ton for anthracite coal, stove
and chestnut. at the mines, President
Harding has approved the act of
congress on September % and in
accordance Herewith appointed you
with all the power of the Federal
government to meet the emergency
which has resulted in c~urtailing for
the present year our pCssib supply
Of coal for household purposes to 60
per cert of the amount received last
year.
"WILLIAM T. GREER,
"Chairman N. j. Fuel Com"