Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1918 — REDUCED PRICE TO CONSUMER [ARTICLE]

REDUCED PRICE TO CONSUMER

Is Expected to Follow the Fuel i Administration’s Plan. Washington, February 22. —Reduction in the retail prices of both anthracite and bituminous coal is, expected by the United States fuel administration as the result of a. decision announced to eliminate jobbers’ commissions after next April 1. Under the new regulations retail dealers will obtain coal at the same price, whether buying directly from the mine or through middlemen. Jobbers are now permitted to add to the governipent price at the mine a commission of from 15 to 30 cents a ton, but the old practice will be resumed of making the Jobbers look to the mine operators ' for compensation. The mine prices will be increased slightly to provide for the operators’ added expense, btft it is announced that the advance will not be equal to the commission how allowed the* jobber. The amount of the increase will be determined later. Elimination of jobbers’ commissions, the fuel administration announced, was necessary in order to eliminate a systemized form of pro-

flteering which has increased the cost of fuel to the consumers. "Under the system of allowing the jobber a specific guaranteed commission,” said the statement, “it developed that it was possible for some operators to adopt the practice of establishing subsidiary companies solely tfor the purpose of selling, thereby absorbing the jobbers’ commissions. “Another practice was that of ‘swapping coal.’ Two producing companies might agree to act as jobbers for each other. Each might buy the coal of the other, and then sell at the mine price, plus the jobbers’ commission. The operator Who sold direct to the retailer was at a disadvantage because he was forced to bear the selling expense and was not permitted to collect the jobbers’ commission. “The jobber is essential to the conduct of the coal business and the fuel administration has given careful study to the best means for insuring hkn a respectable compensation for his services while at the same time eliminating fictitious commissions which were ultimately paid by the consumer.”

No fewer than 1,400,000 soldiers and sailors passing through London on their way to or from the front have received a meal at Lady Limerick's free buffet at London bridge station. Since May, 1915,-fighting men, including many wounded and convalescent, have never asked In vain for refreshment. Funds are now running low, and the people are asked to help in supplying the little comforts that are offered at London bridge.