The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-01

5 or 10 cents per ton, or such amount as may be deemed proper to fit the case.
 "The cost of a session of the legis- lature would be mere bagatelle compared to the amount of money which would be lost to the people of the state through their exploita- ton by the coal people. A session of the legislature would probably cost $20,000 Two dollars per ton ex- cess profit on one months output of the coal mines of Alabama would amount to about $2,500. 900. This same excess profit on 10 per cent of one months output would be about $250, ,000, which is equal to more than $1,000,00o for the season or 30 times greater than the cost of an extra session.
 T cannot imagine a citizen of Alabama who would complain at the cost of an extra session of the legis- lature when the small cost would save hundreds of thousands of dol lars to the users of coal in this state"
 Statement of Cox
 Roy R. Cox, state fuel adminis- trator, issued the following state ment regarding fuel prices fixed by the fuel administration:
 Following a conference between NtDf WI AipA iNiAby anu d Cofullllh6t representing the Alabama coal op- orators. on August 19, wherein the governor stated that he would en- force the fair prices on coal as set by Secretary Hoover, the governor received a telegram from MT. Hoov- CT in which it was suggested that, in line with action taken by the governors of other coal producing states, 1t might be well to secure from the Alabama operators an un- dertaking to abide by some maxi mum price that the governor con siders Just, under all the circum- stances.
 "Thereupon the governor directed the state fuel administration to make as full an investigation of con- ditions, including traffic, production, wage and market conditions, as might be within the short time available, and that conferences be held with representatives of the op- orators with view of getting their cooperation in the enforcement of such price as might be fixed.
 "The investigation has been made, and a schedule of prices has been set for the several seams and grades of coal in Alabama. which schedule has been approved by the governor. and recommended to Mir. Hoover. And the representatives of the coal operators have assured the governor that they would cooper ate with him fully in maintaining such prices as he might see fit to name.
 Subject to Change
 "The prices fixed in the schedule are maximum prices for the winter, and are subject to be changed only If there should be any change, up or down, in the wage scale which goes into effect September l. No sales should be made after August 31 at prices greater than those named, but this in no way affects contracts for coal which may have been made heretofore at pric is high CT than the schedule, nor. likewise, those made at prices under the schedule.
 Should it be found necessary, the Alabama public service commi ssion stands ready, through the ailocation of cars, to aid us In keeping down any violations of this price schedule, and the governor has directed that every sale or attempted sale at prices greater than the schedule be handled promptly and vigorously. To this end the state fuel adminis- trator specially requests that he be furnished with full information re- garding any quotation of prices higher than the schedule. giving the name of the operator or broker max ing the quotation. the trade name and grade of coal, and the price quoted, with the name and address of the informant; publicity through the press will be given to each such case, so that the consumers may know which, if any. of the operators and dealers are not living up to the prices named.
 'It has not been found that condi- tions warrant any change in the re- tailers' margin named In 1921, and that margin has been approved for tho present.
 Tt is considered that for such coal as is sold through q broker. fee of 5 per cent to be added to the mine price as compensation to the Broker is fair and reasonable.
 "The schedule of mine prices and the retailers margin. as approved by the governor. are as follows:
 Maximum Prices At Mine
 "Big Seam groups, run of mine. s2.60 per ton; lump, $3.45 per ton.
 Pratt, dagger anr Corona groups, run of mine, ss per ton; lump $4.45 per ton.
 "Cahaba and Black Creek group. run of mine. ss.5o per ton; lump s520 per ton.
 "Montevallo and Climax group, run of mine. $i per ton; lump s6,oo per ton.
 Retailers Margin For the cities of Birmingham. Mo bile and Montgomery, S3.60 per ton. "All other towns of 5000 popula- ton and over. $2S0 per ton. "All towns of under 5000 popula- ton, s2.50 per ton.
 Mine prices on modified mine run coal and screenings shall be arrived at by applying the Garfield rulings to the above prices on mine run as base. An allowance of 50 cents per ton for washing shall be allowed in addition to the modified mine run price"