The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-18
HOOVER ENDS
INCREASE OF
COAL PRICES
Obtains Approval of Leading
Operators of Non-Union BIZ
luminous Fields for Plan to
Control Rise.
FORESIGHT IS PRAISED
(By Associated PressI


WASHINGTON, May 1S.-Secretary
Hoover asked and obtained today the
approval of the leading operators of
non-union bituminous coal fields for a
government plan of getting the coal
industry by voluntary action" to put
stop point on increase of coal prices
during the period of the existing coal
strike.
The plan, which was approved by
about 40 operators who met with Mr..
Hoover, calls for the creation of com
mittee of operators with the govern
ments and consumers representa-
tives, serving on it in each district
where ccal is being produced, through
which all orders for coal will be
cleared.
similar general committee will be
set up in Washington and Mr.. Hoover
assured the coal operators that he had
Attorney General Daughertys opinion
that such cooperative action to reduce
and hold down prices in the public in
terest" would be legal.
Mr.. Hoover has expressed the view
that the rise in coal prices from about
81 a ton at the mines to $3.50 and
81 ton for coal, as reported in some
districts was unnecessary, and due
mostly to competitive bidding and To-
cal conditions which could be rene
died by the cooperation of the mine
operators and the purchasing agencies
of public utilities.
Others Present
Practically all the representatives
OF large producing companies not af.
fected by the strike in the territory
east of the Mississippi were present
when Mr. Hoover said that the con-
ference had been called at the direc-
ton of President Harding and an
nounced his plan.
Most of the operators, in addition
to declaring their approval, asserted
that the production situation did not
justify any great price increase, as
ample supplies of coal existed.
They also agreed with Mr.. Hoove,.
that a method of bringing the con-
sumers in touch with the supply would
prevent speculation and a buyers pan
1c, which may cause a runaway coal
market if the strike continues in the
union fields for many weeks longer.
j. G. Bradley, president. of the West
Virginia Coal Operators association,
that state being the chief present
source of the coal supply, promptly
pledged himself to cooperate to the
fullest extent" with the government 5
proposal.
Praises Foresight
II want to congratulate you on the
/ foresight shown in the taking up of
the question in advance of a probab BILE
need" Mr.. Bradley said "The time
probably will come, though it is not
here yet, when some such steps would
be absolutely necessary to prevent the
country's necessity being used for the
enrichment of the profiteers. How.
ever, if non-union coal production in
creases slightly as the demand in
creases, in order to open up larger
/ production that mine may be en-
larged and operators assisted to throw
! off union domination.
Some of the recent increases have
/ been due solely to ignorance of con
sumers as to where they could get
coal and what prices they could OBJ
tain. Put the consumer in possession
of the facts by some such committee
plan as you have described and we
will be secure