The executive order fixing the
prices of coal at the mines also estab
lished other regulations. For instance,
many of the coal jobbers of this sec
tion had contracts with coal producers
at tin* mines, by which they agreed to
take large quantities of coal at prices
of approximately $1 per ton. Some of
them bad thousands of tons of coal in
storage and were willing to relieve in
cidental cases of distress by supply
ing the coal at the price they paid for
it. plus a commission of I1 cents a
ton and the transportation charges.
Unless these jobbers had formal con
tracts with the persons thus to he sup
plied. however, they could charge only
$2.4.1 per ton for coal which may have
cost them as high as $4.on.
When this situation was made c lear
to Dr. Garfield, he apparently saw
that the price fixing order in all its
details, however beneficial it might he
to those having ready access to the
mines, was the cause of individual
cases of hardship to New England bus
iness concerns, and hence the new or
der. which sets up Mr. Storrow as Dr.
Garfield's personal representative in
New England, and which empowers
him to do that which Dr. Garfield
would do could he* give his personal
attention to the job.
