The Washington times., 1923-07-25
Setting Up the Coal Scarcity
BugabOO Early This Year
Coal Barons Probably Want to ''Get Theirs Before
Congress Passes Stringent Control Legislation
Bv BILL PRICE.


satellites will have which to pluck the of COAL
and marks indicate that the stage being set
plumber easygong public while the plunderng good
The old coaIscarcy bugaboo is being dragged to
the many months earlier than usual that the
prices are asked fearing winter will find him without
fuel to keep his home There has been change of
not started by the manpuatOrs Of the coal industry until
cold weather That is generally the best time get psyche
quite possible that little chaps
who work with them in exploiting the public foresee Con-
stop these local shortages high prices that
follow the customary propaganda from central
There isn't the least doubt that this periodical for
profeerng deliberately started by organized
bureau OF the coal operators This bureau the
the operators They begin by informing retail dealers
everywhere that the local situation bad shortage
of supplies They delay shipments the retail dealers
of the scarcity stuff along consumers prob
ably in good faith too Then passed to newspapers
to every other source of publicity until the ground well
public becomes excited rushes to get winter supplies
Of COAL hears that mighty little coal coming in that
there has been increase in price the and that
the cost per ton any heretofore The
scramble begins and so does the cleanup.
Mixed with these welknown tactics is the Strike talk
operators not forgotten that strike threats are nesp
always handed out from allied with operators
doubtless perfectly willing the operators shall arouse
the consumers the operators able pluck public
they Will divide with the miners But the operators must
first be assured Of huge dividends before they will divide
with the miners
public can be frightened into laying in their winter
supplies of coal at whatever prices are asked the
melon will be assured matter what Congress does
So looks decision had been reached that the
prateer1ng must be done and chances taken on
getting the dough- this winter
Congress- in control of the party which must go to the
country next year with actual accomplish
mn and which hard hit in the Northwest by disafecton
OF farmers and the voters generally may find mighty good
promptly ~ 0 ~
It hardly probable the Republican party can
afford to risk its political chances the year ny
deferring action that will put stop milking the con
The Administrations Coal Fact Finding
Commission has found enough to justify legislation
for naturalization of coal mines national control of coal
produced at the mines.
The local Coal Consumers League going the subject
thoroughly from the local standpoint perfectly easy
70 unload all the vituperation retail dealers The
average man does not look beyond conditions own
nome he too often fails to remember the coal industry
is IN the hands of thoroughly organized body of wealthy
and companies who manipulate the output in the
mines and Tx prices to suit themselves The dealer is at
ne mercy OF these people He deprived of his
usual supply Of coal old trick ntrenched wealth
70 ten retail dealer that the supply is short be
impossible to serve him any longer
o nj Is easy to put single retail
OUT OF business he doesn't play the game as the big fish
uvbau not so easy to deny service to ALL large
Coal Merchants Board Trade If this board of trade
not intended protect the rights of its members it is poor
Its aims should likewise the service of the
people OF Washington at fair prices
Which leads us recommend that the coal
resist the tricks men higher up REFUSE TO PI4T E ~
GAME OF The MINE OPERATORS when that game is to
can't be done some may saw It can Thoro Ud 0oS
o OF washington dealers protect themselves against the
city is not impossible ~ P'F " ~
IN coal here Washington people Their interests
citizens of the Federal there is solid
OF Inc local dealers with fair and square determination to
resist imposition upon the public be good results
ANY attempt at boycottng Washington by the big guns of
n anthracite industry will fail We too close to the
song arm OF the Federal It's powers can and
VIII be used under conditions oppression The National
must protect the people of the Capital City
oTl coal dealers should get ready fight They can
gS oil tne publicity they want if that publicity is to be
seo IN oena OF the public They cant get any if it is to
0f the c0a1c
The direct charge is made there an effective
ag local coal dealers which fixes prices in this citv
o through operators supply of coal each
local dealer may have and that much feared no coal
a oaIe o!1er independent prices there is truth in
w statement II plain that ring is lust mart of tho
naona coal combine If there truth in the charge it
" TIN Tae n washington people were knowing about it.
Inc united states Attorney for District is q roob+,
"y man Is true but he has problem before him that
% ;I sa' Oh protecting the public against robbery