Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-30
COAL MEN ASKED
TO GIVE COST DATA
Congressional Committee to
Meet Today to Receive
Figures in District.

The Joint congressional committee
investigating retail coal prices in
Washington will resume its sessions
in the room of the Senate District rom
mittee. in the Capitol. this afternoon.
The Investigators are meeting for the
express purpose of receiving some
data which Senator NJ. NJ. Neely Of
West Virginia requested Ward W.
Griffith. chairman of the legislative
committee of the Retail Coal Mer-
chants Boa rd of ade, TO submit
At the time the request was made.
Mr.. Griffith said il might take his
auditors three DAYS 10 prepare the fig
ures dema nded. II possible. Mr.. Crit
fifth said, he would have the data on
hand hv This afternoon. Unless Nj.
Griffith has the information Senator
Capper said this morning. it is posi-
bile the committee will adjourn i'm
mediately to meet some time next
week. Senator Capper said he did not
know of any other witnesses wishing
TO appear at this time
Treadway Measure.
What admittedly might he the
opening wedge for Federal reGuTa-
ton OF coal sales throughout the
country made its appearance in the
House yesterday when Representa-
tive Treadway of Mas chusetts. Of
fered a bin which would place the
retail sale of coal in Washington un-
der strict Government regulation
Mr.. Treadway sought several days
ago to interest the joint congress
sional investiga ting committee in the
pla but il met with strong ohieC-
ton from a number of the Senators
on the committee.
The plan proposed by Mr.. Tread
way would ohlige all retail dealers
here 10 take ont licenses. Supervi-
sion would then he undertaken ny q
bureau 81 fuel administration. nm
der the administration Of the District
commissioners. 4 supervisor would
he in activf charge of the bureau.
Licenses would be issued only I"
those dealers AGREEING to submit
from time 70 time. actual accounts
showing purchase prices. "a les prices
and all data rega riding cosss entering
into the distribution of coal TO the
consumers Of Washington.
Might Revoke License.
should the bureau Of coal admin
iStra ton discover too wide range
between the buying price and selling
price of dealer. the matter would he
referred 70 the District Commissioners
The Commissioners. should they ap
prove the finding of the supervisor.
could comma nd the dealer to ma ke =
reduction. If the dea Ter refused. his
license might he revoked or he might
be funded from $500 TO 81 zoe. or sent
10 prison for six months. according u
the seriousness of the charge.
The bill in question is based on
previous bills introduced by Mr..
Treadway by which he sought To pro-
vide Federal reeulat alton for the whole
fuel industry. The present measure
applies only to the District of Column
bia but its sponsor said he was con-
fident that if similar investlCa ton
nows going on in Washington We're
held throughout the United States.
the need of Identical legislation in all
other cities would be found 10 he just
As acute.
MIR. Treadway expressed belief that
Washington retailers are profiteerinE
He also said he was confident a ger
eral investigation would show profiteer-
ing wherever coal is burned. He be
Iieres. therefore. that if the hill is
adopted for the District. out of com
mon Justice 1t would have 10 he ex-
banded 10 cover coal sales every
where. and for these reasons he in
tends TO press the House District
committee for an immediate hea -ine
so as to hiring the measure to the hoor
Of the House while the fuel erer-
gencv is still acute.