The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-30
GREAT PROFITS
On COAL GUT
BY BRYAN
Governor Expects to Save Peo-
pie OF Nebraska SIS, ooo,-
600 This Winter.
By II. 7. DOBBINS.
f,onnnnnnlltnn Nnma RarYice.

IGov. Charles W. Bryan today
lestimated that his plan of sup
plying communities in this State
with coal at 'sfair prices" through
1.-THE company he organized win
Save the people from $1O,00O.O 900
to $4,000. 900 q year.
Not only through directly sup
plying 40 towns and cities with
1.-THE bituminous mine product
from Illinois and Colorado mines
ct. from s. TO 50 q ton is he
Saving money to the consumer,
he said, but retail dealers whom
he accused Of profiteering have
been compelled to reduce prices
to meet this competition, the
governor asserted.
Charges Producers Plot.
Governor Bryan charged that
dealers and even mine operators
have sought to handicap the state
coal company ne organized from
obtaining coal. from getting prompt
shipments and in other ways, but
ne is fighting obstacles vigorously,
and IL claiming large measure Of
success.
According to Bryan. the Federal
government. could help TO abolish
profiteering In coal il it would fix
prices at the mines and see the
consumer Is safeguarded against
'.the national monopoly OF proffteer.
ing retailers. \
The governors fight is mainly
directed against the retailers Of the
state. He accuses them. not only
IN this State, but throughout the
country, Of banding together to OBJ.
tain excessive profits. Because he
operated q successful municipal coal
yard in Lincoln when he was a city
commissioner, he has had ex.
perience in the coal business.
As there Is no provision under
the State constitution under which
the State could run such business,
he did not organize the company
as q State enterprise
War on PrOfiteers.
~But as governor he explained.
the people look TO protect their In.
I.terests against the profiteer, ana
am handling the coal plan as part
lDf my conception OF my duty TO the
hoDekeepers Of Che State
He buys coal direct from the
mine or q wholesaler who guar
antees continuous supplies, and
then sells this coal 10 municipau.
ties, public committees, or groups
such as the Farmers Union the
State Grange Cooperative Associa-
ton, and othere. Labor organiza-
lions or group OF individuals who
pool their needs also are supplied.
The governor pays from 1925 to
$3.50 q ton for Illinois lump coal
and So for Colorado Ignite. The
freight rate. from Illinois to eastern
and central Nebraska is from So to
80 tom and from Colorado to
western Eebraska at.cut. the same.
The cost Is. thus from $3.50 to
$7.25 a ton. delivered at the depot.
/ Out Of q small service fee. un.
preteEtious offices are maintained
here. and two employees paid.
Has Forced Reduction.
The governor has recommended
that communities and committees
add no more than 81 to each ton to
provide against shortage, shrinkage
and similar expenses, including de-
livery,
According to the governor. retail.
ers were, charging from $12 to $14
ton when he entered the coal bust.
ness His competition forced an
average reduction Of $3.50 ton
by these retailers.
Bryan also waged a warfare
against the high price of gasolins,
when prices were about 22h cents
gallon in Nebraska. He obtained
supplies at the gource of produc-
ton, and through the municipalities
put it on sale ut 16 cents a gallon.
Ion.
IT notified the STANDARD Oil Com.
pany that the State did not want
to go into the retail and wholesale
business Of supplying gasoline" the
governor said, but told them we
would provide for State competition
at once unless prices came down.
The price was cut six and quarter
cents Immediately afterwards. The
same thing happened In South
Dakota"
oluCe the BoFeFHOT estimates Inere
are 100000 automobiles and trucks
in the State using 100000 worth
of gasoline a month, he believes
the threat of State competition
saved the people 100000 a year,
leaving the selling companies
enough for proper" profits.
At one time Governor Bryan
threatened 70 open q sand and
gravel quarry on State land, thereby
forcing a reduction in this kind of
building material prices, he said.
WILL PROBE ALLEGED
WHIPPING OF CONVICT