Show FEDERAL PROBE OF THE COAL DOAL INDUSTRY DEALERS IN BLACK DIAMONDS FACE FINES AND TERMS IN t. t U. U S. S PRISONS Complaints Are Made That Som Wholesale and Retail Dealers In Coal Are Ignoring Prices Set By the Government Washington A A A gen general ral investigation tion Into sad nud wholesale prices of coal throughout the country appears probable In In Ina a a minor wa way investigation of prices consumers consumers assert they have been compelled to pay already has been started by the department of justice in various sections of the tho east and middle wast both as to anthracite an and bituminous coal Instructions have been sent to United United United Unit Unit- ed States attorneys conducting these local Investigations to summon witnesses witnesses witnesses wit wit- nesses determine the truth of the charges and where justified to bring promptly proceedings under the crImInal criminal criminal crim crIm- inal l law w against those believed to be begun gun guilty y f 4 FIno Fine of or Imprisonment two years or both are provided for violation viola viola- tion lion of the law under which the president president president dent fixed the price ice to 10 be- be charged for tor coal oal and nd the allowed jobbers and dealers Coupled with the complaints chargIng charging charging ing that higher prices than those authorIzed authorized authorized au au- au- au ha have vo been demanded and obtained ob ob- ob- ob are re numerous protests from persons j rS s and nd firms Alleging that they have been unable to buy coal at nt any price h With tIes these it It As thought the government has little power to deal except in cases where the coal o operators opera opera- ern- ern tors tons themselves reuse refused to sell coal which has not been contracted for pre pro Most of the latter complaints it Is understood come from purchasers for household consumption Revision Submitted to President Recommend 11 as asto 40 ta a n revision of coal prices at the tho mines to be authorized authorized au nu- au- au as a result of Increased operatIng operating operating oper oper- expenses under the recent wage vage agreements b tv tWe mi vii b owners r lind striking strikIng I ing miners were were submitted to o President President d dent nt Wilson Friday by Fu Fuel l Administrator Administrator Adminis Adminis- Garfield The Time recommendations were not made public pend pending ng the presidents president's consideration |