The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-05
A COAL WAR.

ATTEMPTS OF TIE BALTIMORE AND OHIO 0AIIs.
ROAD TO SUPPRESS TRAFFIC. ON CANALs-RE-
suit, CHEAPER COAL FOR THE PEOPLE
CUMBERLAND. Nd, May s, 1877.
Tho great coal interest, which centres here and in
the surrounding country, Is just now very much
cited by the that is being actively waged between
tho Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company and the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, whose canal
operations extend from this point 10 Georgetown, Va
The origin OF this imbrogiio, which bids fair to
terminate IN something serious between the conflict
ing elements, an effort upon tho part OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Company to make grand gobble
business Of the canal company by making secret
overtures OF low freighs TO tho various mining com.
panios When this trcachery became known 70 F. A.
German, president OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company, courteous note was sent to John W. Gar.
rett, president OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, asking for some arrangement for = just d.
vision OF tho trade and the liking Of such freight
rates that result making the carrying OF coal
profitable to both the railroad aud canal company
while reaching The competition from coal produced
elsewhere.
President Germans proposition was rather uncere
moniously and uncourteousiy refused by the Balti.
more and Ohio Company President German then
determined that the canal conpanys business should
be maintained against the combined opposition Of the
Baltimore ana Quo Ralroad Company and tho inter-
csts cooperating with II Every scheme that could
he 10 defeat the railroad corporation has
been adopted by the canal company, President Cor.
nan having gone far TO threaten to reduce the
ia.es OF transportation coal between Cumberland
and Georgetown 10 ten cents per ton.
The or tho coal country and particularly in
this immediate region (Which one OF the most Inn
portant and prolific coa iron producing centres
the country, have taken very active interest IN
iavor oil the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company.
aud already meeting OF prominent capitalists has
been held at Westcrntown TO take steps tor the build
ing railroad to assist In the warfare against the
Baltimore and Ohio Company.
understood that the latter corporations object
Ia the present movement TO bring the coal trade TO
the city OF Baltimore help It's marine interests,
rs well Tor tho purpose OF making that pluce
leading port for Cumberland coal shipments, and TO
the steamships 10 that city for cheap uel. In
the interest oil the Baltimore and ohio Company It -
said President Garrett can transport coal while the
trouble prevails almost entire loss, and depend
upon the suspension OF canaing the winter make
good during the season OF navigation. Just
now the suffers from the disadvantage OF havna
no railroad In the Western Maryland mining districts
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company con-
trolling the Cumberland and Pennsylvania road
by It's ASSOCIATION with tho Consolidation Cod
Company, another corporation which Is generally con-
sidcrcd monopoly In the coat regions OF this State.
Tho impression Is general among coal men that the
war will have the effect OF sending prices way down TO
ante war figures. and TO perhaps lower rates. The
miners wages have been lowered to the very lowest
notch and should the trouble between the railroad
canal companies result any further decrease Ut
wages 1t is improbable that STRIKE may occur In
some of regions. The for coal constantly
failing aud The trade generally becoming very much
demorallzed is believed the canal company Will
he able to hold its In the fight the end be-
the victor. especially as IL has the substantial
assistance OF tho people.