Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-15

Pocahontas regions TO Boston "a about
the same as from the Case Breton mines
to Boston. The distance from our
water shipping water-Locust Point
Is several hundred miles farther. Now
II the railroads could afford 10 haul the
coal OF West Virginia 10 tide water free
OF charge our operators would not
have very big margin TO enable them
TO compete with the Whitney syndicate
In the Boston markets. Take of the
tariff and il is doubtful IL they could
do so, but when the necessary railroad
freiEhts are added 10 the cost OF the
West Virginia coal and the tariff is re-
moved from the Cape Breton product, IL
Will so into the seaboard markets with
such an advantage over the output OF
the West Virginia mines that they can
no longer be competitors for the trade
OF that region. No wonder. then. that
the coal Industry Of West Virginia is
disturbed" and alarmed" al the
proposition TO enlarge the free list TO
bear thus unevenly and unjustly" upon
the chief product of our state.
The editorial, inferentially at least.
seems 10 seek TO convey the impression
that there is something in the Wilson
bill which, II passed as reported. would
enlarge our Canadian market for coal.
IL says In discussing this phase OF the
question; with free trade in coal be-
tween the two countries, the United
states could capture the choicest cana
dian markets, and the Increase In Cana
dian shipments To the United States
would be tritiiug in comparison"
FOR the sake OF the argument, let Us
grant that this is true, though 10 i well
enough 10 bear In mind that the Whit
ney syndicate, backed by unlimited
90 init al l..
Canadian market also, AID by way OF
water shipments through the s. Law
renee river can put coal as far west a ;
Montreal very much cheaper than We
can hope 10 do; but suppose reciprocal
free trade In this commodity would give
US the Western Canadian markets in
exchange for our loss Of the seaboard
markets OF New England and New York,
can you point TO n single line la the
Wilson bill that provides for that reel
procal free trade? Not one. IL is not
there. Mr.. Wilson's attention was d.
rected to the advantage that this pro-
vision would be 10 our operators in case
IL was determined 10 put coal on the
free list, thai at least the Canadian
government shoHid remit the duty Of
O. cents Per long ton which IL imposes,
before Nova Scotia coal should be al @
II
reported the bill with that provision
omitted Notwithstanding the principle
OF such reciprocal free trade was recoC
nized by his committee in the oil, salt,
lead and perhaps other schedules.
| have never seen Mr.. Ingalls, and
only make this plea on his behalf be-
cause he represents the views OF great
many Democrats on the subject OF the
coal schedule. who are entitled to IA ir
hearing and fair treatment within the
party while seeking TO impart informa-
ton or their Views on a question which
is pending in their party councils.
As 10 the charge that he represents a
grasping corporation, whose hand IS
deep in the pockets Of the people, Z may
be dismissed with the single observation
that no class OF freights Is handled as
cheapiy as coal. This is especially true
in this section, aud am Informed by
coal shippers that the rates are so low
that any very material reduction would
necessarily entail loss upon the railroad
that made II. Certainly no reduction
commensurate with the - cents per ton
reduction in the tariff could be made, as
the rate from the mines OF this State TO
tide water is less than Sl.4O per ton al
this time.
Perhaps Mr.. ingalls, road would haul
more coal, as yOu suggest. under free
coal tariff bill, but he evidently does
not think so, and his views are shared
generally by railroad officials. who have
made pretty thorough research into the
subject. II there is less coal hauled by
the railroads, as Mr.. ingalls, and other
railroad officials profess TO believe, then
10 will necessarily follow that there will
be less mined, and less money paid out
in the mining, and consequently less
prosperity In those sections which have
been Quilt up In this State by mine op-
erations. You may think this is self
! IN view 10 take OF this question: that
we ought TO be willing TO have some Of
our prosperity abatsd In the interest OF
cheaper fue. FOR the New England
States. SO we would; but, In the
language Of Mr.. Wilson, free
coal makes our great indus
try tributary" 10 the protected
Industries OF that section. Everything
they produce is protected Hr great
commodity pays its tribute 20 advance
the prosperity OF the New England
people at the expense OF our own. SO
thus far at least the interest OF our
railroads and our people run hand in
hand on tho subject OF receiving our
fair share OF the common protection
alluded 10 by MI wilson above, and ]
think il will not advance the cause of
free coal 20 invcigh against the rail
roads Rather 10 seems % me that such
argument is likely 10 appear 10 intelli-
gent Democrats as in line with the
demagoRic Republican argument in
opposition to free coal, because the
W htney syndicate pays royalty OF
IL cents per ton 20 ;he British crown
for every ton OF Nova Scotia coal il
mines. Respectfully,
.. =. Mex