The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-05
A CORRESPONDENT ON FREE COAL
AND IRON

A most intelligent correspondent from
The mineral regions Of Virginia writes us
a private letter. in which he asks us to
revise our opinion that coal and iron-ore
should not be put upon the free list In
respect TO coal he says the operators in
II are divided in opinion upon the question
whether the repeal OF the tax Of 20 cents
a ton would benefit or injure them. If
we should make this repeal and Canada.
following our example, should repeal
her tax OF 60 cents Il ton. then he thinks
a large body of coal dealers believe It
would materially benefit the Pennsylvania
coal men and not hurt the Virginians.
In regard TO free iron-ore he thinks
furnace men are divided in opinion, but
that the best informed are in favor of II.
for the reason that Virginia iron-ore con-
tains too much phosphorus to be used
successfully in producing Bessemer steel
though II is well-adapted 10 basic steel.
But the basic processes are controlled
by the Bessemer people. who will not al
low them to be used TO their own disad-
vantage. "Now." says he, IF we could
import large quantities Of foreign ore
free from phosphorus. TO mix with our
Virginia ores, we would be able 10 fire
up many OF our Virginia furnaces and
produce I5essemer steel. inability 10 pro-
duce which keeps them now idle" Our
correspondent has discussed the matter
80 intelligentiy that We very greatly re-
greet that ne has not permitted us to
publish his letter.
But after all. what IS the substance of
his argument? II il that the producers of
coal and iron-ore in Virginia might be
benefited by free coal and iron-ore. But
special beneft conferred by the laws on
Virginia must, by reason Of that special
benefit. react on Americans somewhere
else. The benefit that comes 10 us must
come out OF some other Americans. Sup
pose our correspondent could show that
free ore and free coal would benefit Viz
ginians. but that the Maryianders should
show that this freedom produced a direct
injury to them. Does our correspondent
think that Congress. which represents all
OF the people OF the United States. should
give us that benefit at the expense of the
Marysanders?
In point OF fact. the converse is really
the case. At present the Norfolk and
Western railroad and the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad ship immense quantities Of
Virginia and West Virginia coal from
Newport News and Lambert's Point, all
up and down the Atlantic coast They
are thus bringing very great advantages
20 many interests In Virginia and West
Virginia. But in order 10 do this. they
have To haul their coal more than three
hundred miles 10 the sea-cOast. Now the
coal In Nova Scotia lies so near 20 the
sea-coast that 1t can be loaded ON ships at
Louisburg for 81 per ton. Boston is no
further from Louisburg than from Hamp-
ton Roads The Nova Scotlans then can,
OF course. sell their coal all along the
Atlantic coast. II no duty is charged,
cheap enough TO destroy the sale OF our
coal. We frankly admit that those who
buy coal have right 10 this benefit II
Il can be fairly and legitimately secured
to them. But the Wilson bin proposes
to allow the manufacturers along the
eoast 70 secure this benefit by deprivinS