Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-29


Differences Over Coal Cost
But the anthracite operators insist
that the reason for the high price of
coal to the consumer is the excessive
cost OF mining and the high wages do:
manded by the miners. They contend
that they are fighting the public's battle
In resisting the miners demand,' l
suggested.
"Accordins to the figures Of the
Anthracite Operators Association
which we dispute" declared Mr.. Lew
Is, the labor cost OF coal at the mine
is $500 a ton.
"As miners, familiar with the sub.
ject. we affirm that this alleged labor
cost Of 1902 at the mine hns no re.
lation to the ultimate cost to the con-
sumcr. There are other things which
the operators conceal; which they are
afraid to expose to public gaze.
Take their sales agencies and sell.
ing corporations, he went on. All
Of these are merely devices to wiring
additional profits from the public.
Goal mining corporations organize
their selling agencies, or employ men
to handle them. by this they make
double profit. Wholesalers represent
them also, md that adds another profit.
'"T'he present railroad rates are an
other imposition on the consumer.
Approximately the rate for hauling
ton OF anthracite coal from the mines
In Eastern Pennsylvania to tidewater,
n distance Of. say, 155 miles, Is, under
the latest figures, SZ41 ton.
Public Mulcted, He Asserts
"Bltuminous from Western Pennsyl-
vania, 300 miles further inland. Is
transported to tidewater for something
like 81 65 a ton, with a haul of 3OO
miles farther.
another method Of piling up prof.
its Is what Is known as barge charges.
The coal is hauled to tidewater and Is
there dumped into bargcs. These are
owned by the railroads. They add 40
cents a ton for this transfer, and the
coal 10 only carried across the river TO
Brooklyn.
"The operators have the work OF
mulcting the public down to hhe
system.
Are you aware that the much
he-alded Workmen's Compensation law
s,,.n,to!, Is big p paying proposition with the
confessed that this was new
angle to this vexed question of operat-
ors' profits.
II cannot give the exact figures OF
course" said the head Of the United
Mine Workers. "but we have inforina.
ton to the effect that ever since that
law became operative the coal operators
added ten cents n ton to coal to pay
the expenses incurred by the operation
Estimates Return at $S.O00.0O
"In other words the public pays
the bill for every injured or crippled
miner" l interjected. Have you any
figures to substantiatc this|'
ITO the best Of our information
Mr.. Lewis replied, "last year the an
thracite coal operators gathered in about
S.. 100000 from the public on this
score.
This IS one Of the anthracite coal
mys cries we would like to see cleared
up" he went On, IF In the future
there is Federal Commission ap-
pointed to investigate this industry,
we will demand. just as President
Harding promised. that every phase Of
the anthracite business be investigated.
also including this question Of royalties.
Il am informed that the Girard
Estate. n Philadelphia City Trust, is
one Of the greatest offenders in re-
spect to exorbitant royalties.
'Wp nlaO demand fhat this matter
g Iii III uiSo e;na ne"a s.;nnt I'm .n.os 80.
ot tn ng "keieS. h iftIs". sunrI;ss NE, NV ord
snarses :" % tne ''itn s r.,u .o supp nnJ ,raf. %
e,.rs o.uef ,,s ioH ,to;.o ~ 80 .'o ,,,nin, nu ~
cor,hec'eu WIN aH.nfae,.s a,i;,, 'nf 'ne as
coal be gone into scientifically and
completely.
r,s.,s. NJ, -. p,,h,,.
,.,r e"' v, "o ' .,.
the operators claim 10 pe tne 1rielms i'is
OF the pupllc; Ian they make the pupiic
peiieve mat!
IN aemandine iree expose stt OF tne
mysteries OF the coai business inciuclhg
Us pronteerlhs methols, the Cniteo
WINE otkers or america are demon :
sttating that they are really the ones
VINO nfe trying 70 heip the pupHc.
a.. We want 10 Know What az becomes @ OF
the dinerence between the S5.O2 ton
IN lapor. which the operators claim n
Tor mining the coal ana the Slo.3o
whlch the people OF brookiyn ana else ,
where pay Tor this same ton OF coal!
Qnestions OF wages ana working
CONDITIONS are not the only questions
\ ~ AcSuS ia lhao SOhecct. We uO uOt