The Penn's Grove record., 1923-11-23
Silzer Declares
PinChOt To Blame
Jersey Governor Holds Pennsyl-
vania and It's Executive Re-
SpOnsible For Fuel Situation

Trenton. - Responsibility for the
present coal situation vas today
placed upon Governor Pinchot and
the State Of Pennsylvania by Gov
ernor Silzer of New Jersey, when the
latter accepted the Pennsylvania exec
utive's invitation to attend the con-
ference Of governors Of the twenty
nine anthracite-using states at Harris
burg.
Governor SilEer ~propounded a series
OF questions to Pinchot designed to
ascertain what Pennsylvania was
ready to do to bring relief to coa con-
sumers Silzer asserted that New
Jerseys problem was to get the coal
from Pennsylvania in sufficient guam
titles and at a reasonable price.
Governor Silzer charged that he had
information to the effect that because
the Independent coal operators have
sufficiently gouged coal consumers,
there will be a reduction Of the price
Of coal during the next month.
1CAnoyiFdAl0 Wab SAhA Gu Will I'LL
Justly exacting a dollar a ton on coal
through the coal tax and was alleged
to be impeding and limiting fuel pro-
duction.
Asks Several Questions
SIS Pennsylvania ready to repeal
the coal tax, and SO relieve the people
Of her sister states Of an unjust exac-
ton OF a dollar a toni" queried Silzer
of Governor Pinchot.
"Is Pennsylvania ready to repeal the
law which now limits and impedes
production?
rs Pennsylvania ready TO fix a
standard Of quality and size?
as Pennsylvania ready to set up a
high class commission, who will see
that the coal industry is regulated In
the interest Of the and
thus eliminate the present unfair prac-
tees?
Are o ready, as Governor OF
Pennsylvania, to recommend and push
to contamination these measures. In
the same successful name that you
did with prohibition and economy at
bht iooI oCoSEOh VI yOuI ltSioIdtulV u.
These were the battery of ques-
lions fired at Governor Pinchot by
New jerseys executive.
CAS- wrote YOU ome time ago,
New Jersey can protect herself once
the coal gets here" explained Gov
ernor SilZer. Our trouble is to get
1t here from Pennsylvania in sufficient
quantities and at reasonable prices.
The real problem must be solve by
the federal government and the State
of Pennsylvania. New Jersey will
back any movement designed to Sc
cure federal action, so long delayed,
and will be glad to listen to any sug-
g~estions that will bring relief. On
the other hand, we also want to hear
from Pennsylvania, and what you are
willing to do there"
Scores Coal Operators
Silzer charged that whenever the
coal operators found it profitable. coal
shortages would be the order of the
day. so that. in order to cope with
future conditions, some action should
be taken now.
II am reliably informed" said Sill
Ger, "that within the next month there
will be a reduction Of the price OF
coal, due largely to the fact that the
so-called independents have sufi-
GENTLY MIXED the consumer. and that
there will be plenty Of coal. This
should not deter us, however, as the
distressing conditions will recur as
often as It is found profitable"
Governor Pinchot was told that
since responsibility for the coal sit
uation rests with Pennsylvania and
the federal government. any confer
ence for the relief of the conditions
should e called Jointly by President
Coolidge and Pennsvlvania's executive.
Govern r Silzer'e 'etter to Governor
Pinchot. in part. follows:
IT have your letter OF the 18th in
slant. I am thoroughly in accord with
any movement which has for its pur-
pose the giving of relief to the people
in the matter of price and the distri-
button Of coal.
"I am reliably informed that within
the next month there will be a reduc-
lion of the price of coal. due largely
TO the fact that the so-called indie
pendents' have sufficiently MIXED the
and that there will be
plenty Of coal. This should not deter
Us. however, as the distressing condi-
lions will recur as often as 1t is found
profitable.
New Jersey will be represented at
the conference. although I believe, as
I have already suggested to the Presi-
dent, that such a conference should
be called by him and you. as the re-
sponsibility rests unon the federal
government and the State OF Pennsyl-
vania. Through these agencies alone
can the consumers Of coal be pro-
tected.
at is particularly gratifying that
the governor of the only anthracite
producing state is taking an active in
ierest In this most important subject"
Lewis Denies Charges
napial IF the charges contained in