The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-07
Peunayivnnia Coal and Some Fool Newspa.
pers In " CIV York.

from me fhhnustphtu 7fmes.
Some OF the New York journals are most yio-
lent In their attacks upon the harmonious mr.
rangements made between our anthracite coal
lines. because it will compel consumers in
New York. New England. and tho West to pay
the same relative prices for coal that are paid
by manufacturers and other consumers in
Pennsylvania Because insane railroad man.
agement has hitherto enabled New York to
obtain our anthracite coal cheaper than our
own home consumers. thoy insist that this
injustice to Pennsylvania. and this palpa-
bio wrong to our industry and to our trans
portation lines shall continue indefinitely.
OF course. the frantic complaints made By
the New York journals present the coal COM
bine as depressing the poor Of that city by q
slight advance on anthracite coal. but they
carefully omit tho important fact that the
poor people OF New York pay three hundred
fold more to the retailers Of coal In that city
than tho increased price made by the Heading
organization. Coal retailed to the poor OF New
York in small quantities is sold at from 200 to
300 por cent advance upon tho price at which
1t Is delivered to retailers in Pennsylvania.
There will be no variation in the price OF coal
to the poor consumers no matter how chcaply
coal can be obtained: and to all who are able
to purchase on the most economical plan. the
advance will be Insignificant.
II unreasonable and unjust, no matter how
small the advance. It would be indcfensib
but in this case it is both reasonable and Just.
and the people OF Pennsylvania mean to en-
force exact justice between themselves and
distant consumers Of anthracite coal. because
they are weary OF persistent and oppressive
discrimination against themselves. Tho man.
uiacturers and consumers Of anthracite In
Pennsylvania are entitled to it at cheaper
rates than the manufacturers and consumers
OF New York. New England. and the West. and
Pennsylvania will not permit any departure
from this sound and justinable policy.
Because OF this unjust discrimination against
Pennsylvania manufacturers and consumers
Of anthracite coal. caused by the cut-throat
competition OF transportation lines. there are
nearly or quito $7O.O00.O0O OF unproductive
coal stocks and securities held chiefly by our
people. For many years they have not re-
ceived a farthinG Of interest or dividend. and
the fatal policy so long pursued by our trans
portation companies has not only dealt fearful
injustice to Pennsylvania manufacturers and
consumers. but it has been even moro fatal in
its injustice to the holders OF scores OF millions
OF legitimate railroad investments
The fact that Pennsylvania has a monopoly
OF anthracite coal will not warrant any policy
that would Cypress consumers In other States:
but 1t seems uncomfortable that We have so
long sustained policy Of favoring all distant
States and consumers and depressing our own
people. We IRE now approaching some meas
ure OF equity between the home and the dis
tant consumers Of anthracite coal and Penn
sylvanla. having been awakened to tho in
Justice she has SO long suffered. 1t matters not
what may be the fate OF leases made. q policy
will DO enforced by our people to give them
tho substantial results aimed at by what is
commonly called tho anthracite coal com bine.
will have It.