Show t f WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS Coal Operators Hint Mint at Price Hike Britain Faces New Economic Crisis Federal Tax Reduction Poses Puzzle I I EDITORS EDITOR'S NOTe art at re In I th I lh the y lira ate the ef I Ia UnI 11 saw ai a Bal 1 s and n a. a t t ulI ef 1 this III COAL The Payoff The coal coat J payoff In to the recent strike settlement was coming more quickly than was wu usually the case cue caseIn caseIn In the settling of these disputes The cost coat to the consumer of John LLewis L L. Lewis' Lewis power over the operators and his hi union was to be felt very soon f ANNOUNCEMENT came In the form of a statement by spokesman I for the soft coal Industry that there Is now in preparation a 10 to 40 cents a ton Increase on the price I of coal When the United Mine Workers I long strike against the Industry I was wu settled recently operators forecast a rise in prices I However discussion of ot the price I hike bike indicated there would be no noI blanket Increase Rather the boost I would vary according to the financIal financial financial finan finan- cial situation and contract commitments commitments com com- of individual firms One official was quoted as aa saying say gay ing If It it the Increase only amounts amount to 10 c cents e en n t t. t s a ton the retailer should be able to absorb it Dut But if It it goes any higher it will affect the price of coal to the consumer It seems logical that the retailer could assume assume assum an added cost of 10 cents a ton ton but but the question was waa Would he be Except for competition which would hardly be forthcoming in the way of ot a price fight the retailer re- re taller could pass on any coal price hike to the consumer |