The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-02
AGAINST THE COAL COMBINE.

20 the Editor of the Eagle.
DEAR SIR-Enclosed please find let
ter received by me recently from Gov
ernor Nelson of Minnesota Kindly pub
lish same and permit me TO add a few
words relative to the subject mentioned
STATE OF MINNESOTA.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
ST PAUL, May IS, 1893.
My DEAR SIR am advised by the gov.
ernor of your state that he has appointed
you as a delegate to attend an interstate
conference 70 consider a certain unlawful
coal combination and other trusts, to be
held AT the Central Music hall in the city
OF Chicago June ) and next.
This conference was called by NE il &C.
cordance with II joint resolution passed at
the late session OF our state legislature, d
copy of which is herewith enclosed, and
from which you will note the particular
reason why it has been called While the
! purpose OF the conference Is 30 especially
discuss the subject of the unlawful coal
combination heretofore mentioned, it Will
| no doubt consider all other trusts and
rings which Cypress the people and might
| be properly designated as an interstate
| antitrust conference.
This gigantic coal combination has pre-
! Guided com petition. monopolizrd the mar
consumers of coal either for domestic use
or manufacturing purposes IN the way OF
| maintaining prices upon coal at unreaSon-
able and seXtortiOnate rates. 1t has
reached such proportions that some steps
must be speedily taken TO check Its spread
aud break down its power. With this end
| in view, our state legislature directed me
10 call this conference in the hopes that Il
meeting of delegates, for the pur-
/ pose OF considering the whole subject,
| representing all the states in the Union,
might suggest remedial measures to the
! legislatures OF the different states, and TO
the congress of the United States, which
would break down its power, besides
arousinc IA concerted public sentiment
upon all other trusts and rings, TO which
our people are unjustly subjected
have CORE Sponded with all the govern
ors of the different states and territories
requesting them to appoint delegates TO
tins conference. Replies have been re-
celved from a large majority of them.
siguifyIng their intention OF having their
state represented at the conference aud
every indication points to IA great gather
ing or representative men from nearly All
the states III the Union.
TO my mind, this difference will at
tract the attention OF the whole world,
and result in great good towards break
ing down the power not only of the coal
and rings. have ne hesitation in saying
TO you that this meeting will be one OF
very great in crest and importance.
1t is the first conference OF the kind ever
held, and Us the questions to be considered
are OF vital Importance to the whole people
OF this vast country, / sincerely hope you
can make your arrangements such as viii
permit your attendance.
Yours very truly.
kNUTE NELSON,
Governor of Minnesota.
Hon Il. Nichols, Wichita, Kan.
| regard the move of Minnesota'S gov
ernor and legislators as ole in the right
direction, at least SO far as Pennsylvania
Anthracite coal and other combines are
concerned, and it will no doubt prove
beneficial to that state, as Minnesota re-
lies largely upon other states for fuel.
Kansas, however, with her own extern
sive coal fields, has the advantage of the
Missouri, Arkansas, Indian Territory and
Colorado coal fields. This, with her
perfect railroad system, furnishing
reasonable transportation - prominent
among which is the AtchisOn,
Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, which
connects with the ajority of these fields,
places her beyond the mercy of any coal
trusts, outside of those of Pennsylvania
In view of these facts | believe that coal
for Kansas points will become cheaper,
as it can now be laid down in car lots at
Wichita at the following prices, viz:
QUALITY. PER TON.
Arkansas anthracite prepared,
MOI size. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 800 to s. %
Arkansas anthracite nut coal. 800 to j25
Canon City lump coal. ........ j. 50 to Gl0
Other Colorado Goals from :. T. IS to $50
Missouri and other bitumin-
Gus Goals, from 2S5 to 3.25
Steam coal, from. ...........L 100 to 2.lO