Evening star., 1926-05-17
COAL RETAILERS
VOICE WARNING
No Reduction Expected This
Summer-Labor Troubles
May Hurt Supply.

A warning that no reduct1On IN price
of coal is to be. expected this Sum-
mer. and that should there be dis
continuance of operations OF the
mines this Fall the situation would be
made more acute was sounded this
morning at the opening session OF the
ninth annual convention Of the Re
tail Coal Merchants Association, be-
ing held at the Willard Hotel.
Spokesman for the association also
defended the coal merchants of Wash
ington and other cities against
charges OF prohteering growing out of
prices which prevailed during the an
thracite strike of last Fall and Win
ter. and declared against any med
ding" by the Government In the re-
tail coal business.
The declara tions We're made by
Samuel B. Crowell of Philadelphia.
president of the association, who re-
ported as chairman of the committee
on trade relations in the anthracite
industry; and by Roderick Stephens of
New York. who is chairman of the
executive committee of the asso-
citation.
Urge "Self-Government."
In support of their protests against
the movement for legislation giving
the Government power to deal with
emergencies in the coal industry, both
speakers referred to the recent action
taken by the United States Chamber
of Commerce in declaring for self
government in business" rather than
Government regulation.
The question of whether the United
States Government should regulate
the distribution and price of coal prob
ably will be settled definitely at the
next session of Congress. the conven-
ton was told.
The 400 coal merchants who came
here from all sections of the East
and Middle West were received by
President Coolidge at noon and were
photographed with the Chief Exec
utive.
Commissioner Bell Speaks.
Engineer Commissioner Bell vel
coined the coal men at a luncheon at
the Willard following the White
House reception. James E. Colli-
flower, vice president of the Coal
Merchants Board Of Trade of the
District, was POSTMASTER.
through the strike of last Fall and
Winter, President Crowel declared:
I'VE now can see no possibility Of
a reduction in the price of coal.
Mr.. Stephens referred to the Senate
investigation Of the Washington coal
merchants and declared that their
statements that they had made 25
cents a ton and less profit was a
complete answer to the loose charges
that were made of protiteering."
Urges Unified Protest.
Mr.. Stephens called upon all men,
bers of the association to stand ready
to protest against legislation designed
to place greater power in the hands
of the Federal Government to regu-
late the coal industry.
IF coal legislation seems likely to
pass the Senate or the House it will
be necessary for every retailer to con-
slider himself member of our govern
mental relations committee and to CO.
operate with us to make. 1t clear to
Congress that federal regulation of
business is not believed to be in the
public interest.
I'VE are rendering an important
service, and we have every right to
expect to continue in business with
out being annoyed OF injured Dy pOlitI-
cal attacks or by discriminatory legis-
lation."
Declaring it to be probable that the
House committee would report out a
bill authorizing some form or regula-
ton of the coal business, Mr.. Stephens
said he saw no justification for such
legislation.
$4,000 Contributed in Year.
Joseph E. O'Toole, resident vice
president of the national association,
declared publications sent to men,
bers of Congress and others interest
ed in the effect of coal strikes upon
the public had served effectively in
"breaking down the antagonistic at
titude toward the coal men," and an
nounced that the association would
continue to issue booklets telling the
coal mems side of the question. He
reported that q total of more than
50 900 has been contributed during
the past year by members of the
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