The Washington times., 1923-09-15
.INV|T[S[.'.
DEAL rs
To SHOW
HANDS
Secretary Work Declares A.
surances Must Be Given cf
Supply and Prices.

I Il + i
Washington coal dealers, who
have filed complaint against the
Governments activities in supply
ing Governmental Departments
and thousands Of army and navy
officials with coal, were today
asked to "lay their cards on the
table" and tell the Government
just what they would do, provided
the Government got out Of the re-
tail coal business in the District.
willing to Abandon II.
The government is. perfectly will
ing to get out of the coal business
here, but under existing conditions
cannot do So, and at the same time
assure an adequate supply Of fuel
for its departments ana govern
ment officials.
This Is the substance Of letter
sent today II the local coal dealers
by Secretary Of the Interior Work
asking for "a statement of their
attitude as ia. what the future win
hold, provided the Government com
plies with their REQUESTS and closes
the Federal fuel yards
The letter, addressed to Rodaricl1
Stephens, chairman Of the. Gov
ornamental Relations Committee Of
the National Retail Merchants Coal
Association carried with Il B bread
intimatiOn that the Government IS
apprehensive that IL Il goes out Of
the coal busine IS locally that It
will result In the governrne entail de-
partments having to pay more for
its fuel, and at the same time take
q chance on securing coal when
needed
Makes Position Clear
{ The Secretary makes clear the
Governments position that the Gov
eminent does not favor idea Of Gov
ornamental interference In private
bus ness that an individual or firm
could better handle. but the Govern
ment must first be shown that it
will not suffer as q result Of
hands off policy.
First and foremost the coal dealers
must prove that they have the equip
ment and facilities for storage to
supply the necessary amount Of fuel
to the Government; that they can
supply it as cheap or cheaper than
the Government can handle 1t itself,
and whether they are In a. position
to submit responsible bids on de-
livery and handling of contracts.
Secretary Works letter follows:
"In considering further the mat.
ter of the government fuel yard
discussed between us, would Ike
to have clearly before me the coal
merchants point of view as to Ger
tain details.
while it is not my policy 10
favor the conduct by the govern.
ment of any business that an ind
v.dual or firm can do better, as q
responsible official / canot recon-
mend to Congress change without
a clear-cut program and adequate
assurance that the government viii
be better served and local residents
will not suffer from the change.
I shall be glad, therefore, II you
will supply me with information
on the follow.ng points:
81. Have the retail coal lner-
chants in the District adequate
storage and handling facilities to
supply fuel to the government de
partments at all times, as well as
to serve their present customers!
az. Can the coal merchants supply
the Government departments more
cheaply than can the Government
fuel yard?
"3. Are the coal merchants pre-
pared to submit responsible bids COW
ering the Governments fuel require
nents?
81. In event that the retail mer-
chants do supply the Government,
fuel requirements, thereby increas-
ing their volume of business and de-
creasing the overhead charge per
ton, how much would this lower the
price per ton (a) to the Government,
and b) to local residents?
So. In event that answers to the
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