Evening star., 1923-09-10

ators, many {of whom, he declared.
could absorb the entire sixty cents
increase and still make abundant
profits.
In fairness" he wrote. "the re-
mainder of the SO cents should never
reach the consumer" but he added,
this amount "and probably much
more" will be exacted unless public
action is taken to prevent 1t.
Suggests Action by 1. C. C.
He suggested the Interstate Com
merce Commission take up. anthra-
cite transportation rates with view
to their readjustment, and announced
his intention of asking the Penn
sylvania Public Service Commission
rates within the state.
He suggested that the findings OF
the United States Coal Commission
upon costs and profits in mining
and distribution be made public as
soon as possible.
Reopening OF the mines now is
dependent only upon ratification by a
tri-district convention of union
miners in the athracite region. The
convention has been called for Sep
TEMPER IL, In Scranton.
Text OF Letter.
The governors letter to Mr.. Cool
"Dear Mr.. President:
Now that the danger of a strike
IN the anthracite field is disposed of
Tor two years, ] would like not only
70 thank You again for your tele-
gram OF congratulation, but to ex-
press my very great appreciation of
your public approval of the terms of
settlement which I suggested, and Of
the very valuable Information which
was supplied to me by the United
states Coal Commission at your direc-
Both miners and operators deserve
great credit for their courtesy, their
readiness to consider each others
points of view, and their patient will
-ingness to stay on the job. en-
cause I doubt If any of them had the
slightest expectation when they came
to Harrisburg that the negotiations
would last more than a day or two
or that the strike would be settled.
Effect on Price.
"A supply of anthracite to the con-
sumner for the next two winters hav-
ing thus been assured. the next ques-
tion is that OF price. The total legiti-
mate Increase in the cost of coal un-
der the terms of the settlement is
about so cents per ton. or this
properly be taken up by the oper-
ators. many of whom could absorb the
whole of the 60-cent increase and
still make abundant profits.
In fairness The remainder of the
60 cents should never reach the
consumer. 1t is certain, however,
that this amount, and probably much
more, will be exacted from consumers
unless public action is taken to pre-
vent 1t. Accordingly. since you were
good enough to indicate that sug-
gestions from me concerning anthra-
cite would not be unwelcome, am writ
ing to suggest that real advantage to
the public would result If the Inter-
take up and consider anew the rates
charged for the transportation of
coal, with a view to re-
ducing them If justification for such
reduction should be found.
Rates ON Anthracite.
: "On my part, I prospose to ask the
Pennsylvania public service commits
ness of all freight rates on anthracite
within the borders of Pennsylvania
Il realize that the action of the !
national and state bodies having au- |
thority over freight rates on anthra- |
cite coal cannot alone solve the prob |
lem of fair cost to the consumer !
Other factors also have weight, such
as efficiency in operating the mines |
and reasonable profits in distribution |
1t would greatly assist the public In |
reaching sound judgments in these /!
matters IL the findings of the United !
States Coal Commission on profits and |
,osts in mine operations and in whole !
sale and retail distribution were made !
public in great detail at the earliest /,
possible moment. This information !
will be of the greatest use to me as !
to others in making plans to protect |
the public interests.
Profits of Dealers.
THE margins and profits of whole |
saleTs, brokers, jobbers and retailers |
are mainly local matters which must :