Show r EUE HAL PROBE OF THE COAL INDUSTRY DEALERS 1 IN N BLACK D DIAMONDS AMONDS 16 FACE FINES AND TERMS IN U V S PRISONS complaints are arc made that somo jorrie jor rif wholesale and retail dealers in coal are arc ignoring prices set by tile the government washington A IL general investigation into and wholesale prices of coal throughout the country appears hiob probable pio able bable in a minor way investing Invest investigation ig gation of prices consumers assert they have been compelled to pay almeady has been started by the department of 0 justice in various sections of the east and middle wast both as to anthracite and bituminous coal instructions have been sent to united states attorneys conducting these local investigations to summon witnesses determine the truth of tile the charges and where justified to bring promptly proceedings under the criminal law against those believed to be guilty fine of or imprisonment two beals or both are provided for violation v of the law under which the president fixed the price to bo be charged for coal and the margins allowed jobbers and dealers coupled with the complaints charging that higher prices than those authorized zed have been demanded and obtained are arc numerous melous nu nume ious protests from persons and firms all alleging alleela egla that they have been unable to buy coal at any dilce with these it Is thought the government has little power to deal except in cases where the coal operators themselves refused to sell coal which has not been contracted tor for previously sly most fost of the latter complaints it Is understood come ctorn aiom purchasers for household consumption revision submitted to president recommendations as to a revision of coal prices at the mines to be authorized zed as a result of increased operating expenses under tile the recent wage agreements between owners and striking miners were submitted to president wilson allson friday by r fuel aci adminis administrator garfield the recommendations were not made public pending the presidents consideration |