Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-12-21

Some of the biggest coal operators In the
State laugh at the idea of the IT movai OF the
tariff hurting the coal interests OF west Viz
ginia.-ShepherdstOtc Register.
Will the REGISTER kindly rame
these big coal operators in this State
who laugh at the idea of the removal
of the tariff hurting the coal interest
of West Virginia" We recently stated
upon reliable information that there
was not one in the State who did not
oppose the putting of coal on the
free list.-Fdrmont hder.
Well, Mr.. w. n. Page, one OF the
largest coal operators in the kanawha
Valley. at a recent meeting OF the
Coal Exchange at Charleston, vigor-
ously opposed the tariff on coal and
ridiculed the idea that its removal
would hurt West Virginia. From
private advices we learn Of another
prominent operator from Fayette
county who says that 1.-The coal tariff
doesn't hurt West Virginia operators
i'm the least We have not the privi-
lege OF publishing his name, as he
doesn't care to incur the hostility
of that most beautifully organized
coal combine that dominates III this
State. We have heard of others who
have the same opinion but who for
the same reason do not care to be
quoted. Here's some additional evil
dpnee taken from the Princeton Jour
nal. a newspaper published in Mercer
county, in the heart of the coal region;
We had talk with a prominent
coal operator of Mcdowell county last
week in regard TO free coal. He said:
Free coal means the loss TO West
Virginia OF market for perhaps a
half a million tons of coal a year
which she now sells in New England
markets. but this loss will be more
than made up in the increased con
SUMPTION Of coal used by vessels IN
the foreign carrying trade under the
new policy, and stimulation Ill the
iron industry by reason OF free ores
will greatly increase the domestic
demand. for one am entirely sails
fed" We believe he is right. The
new tariff bill, taken as whole, VIII
not injure the coal trade.
We wish the editors of the Index
could have heard the arguments Of
the coal operators before the ways
and means committee a couple OF
months ago. Hon. Henry q. Davis
was chairman of the delegation and
CHIEF spokesman for it. First he said
that the removal of the tariff would
be ruinous to the coal interests OF
West Virginia, because our operators
could not compete in the seaboard
cities of the United States with the
Canadian coal unless they had that
rs cents a ton protection. In response
TO questions, Mr.. Davis acknowledged
that West Virginia shipped about
million tons of coal to Cuba, where 1t
came in competition not only with the
Canadian coal but with English coal
also. When Mr.. Bryan asked him
why they could compete with free
coal in foreign parts and not i'll oar
country, Mr.. Davis said that-er-er
well, the railroads gave rebate
on the freight rates for coal intended
for foreign shipment. Mr. Davis like
wise unwillingly acknowledged that
the railroad of which he is president
allowed this rebate alsU-a plain ad-
mission of discrimination against
home consumers, in the teeth, too, OF
a statement he had made few mo-
ments previous that the freight rates
on coal were as low as they possibly
could be made. Mr.. Davis also ad-
United that the railroads charged
more TO haul coal west, to inland con-
sumers. than they did to haul it east,
TO eastern nd foreign consumers. AT
this point, though, he got sick Of MIR.
Bryau's pointed questions and plant
lively said that there were other ope-
rators waiting TO be heard. Mr. Bryan
remarked that what was needed was
not protection from foreign coal, but
protection from discriminating rail
roads.
The arguments OF the coal operators
were shown to be utterly fallaciou>
by the questions Of the members OF
the committee. The attempt to bolster
I'D Il sentiment in favor of Il coal tariff
in West Virginia must fall when the
facts of the matter are brought to
light.