Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-05-06
POcahontas Coal.
Editor Tazewell REPUBLICAN:

to develop the coal and iron resources when
had lain dormant both in the colony aud
in the State, for the want of home enter
prise and capital, l ask the use of your
columns TO say a word in defense of those
who have placed their millions in the two
Virginias to help us, and who, instead Of
reaping rich harvest, have, in very many
cases, lost all they had invested.
After the Norfolk and Western railroad,
which was rebuilt and extended, not by
our own capital but by capital drawn from
the North and from Europe, had opened
up the great Flat Top coal fields, the South
west Virginia Improvement Company and
some smaller operations, undertook to in
troduce the coal into the markets of this
country and abroad, but with the great
competition they met on every hand, were
unable to make much progress.
You must know that some ofthe greatest
railroads in tie United States are vitality
interested in the sale oftheir Goals, notably
the Pennsylvania System, the Baltimore
and Ohio, and the Chesapeake and Ohio,
in the East, besides many in the North
vest, and that without the active cooper
alton OF the railroads, the individual oper-
ators would lie hopelessly helpless.
1t was therefore absolutely necessary for
the Norfolk and Western railroad to follow
the example of all other coal carrying
roads and practically assist the operators.
To do this, the Pocahontas Coal Company
was formed, to sell at small commission,
the products of the field; a commission
which, as it had to cover the guarantee Of
the sale, was a small one. The company
also found it necessary, notwithstanding
the superiority of the coal, to find a relia-
BILE firm with the necessary capital and ex-
perience combined, to handle the coal in
the principle markets open to this field.
Such firm was found in the old estab-
lished house of Cashier & Co., since known
as Cashier & Curran, of Philadelphia.
To those acquainted with the facts it
seems ridiculous to talk of the Pocahontas
Coal Company as great monopoly.
In 1894 the Pocahontas coal field pro-
duced 100000 tons. We believe this is
their maximum output. While the total
product Of the United States was lis, 120,-
4O5 short tons, valued at $l07, 653, 50l at
the mines. l give these figures to show
with what wealth and competition those
who undertook to develop the Virginia
mines had to contend. That the Pocahon-
tas Coal Company was not great monop-
oily, reaping rich harvests, was equally
shown when it went into liquidation be-
cause it did not pay to keep it up.
Now, instead of Virginia people abusing
Cashier & Curran. and thereby preventing
other houses from coming to help us in de-
veoping our inexhaustibe and still latent
resources, they should hold them as bene-
factors, for a more generous, liberal and
honest as well as enterprising firm does
not exist in this country. In the years,
that they have sold millions Of tons of coal
for Flat Top operators, not one man has
lost dollar, and the commission they have
charged for sale and guarantee, is moder
ate, compared to the commission charged
for like results the world over.
1t was fortunate thing that this house,
which had made such a grand success in
handling anthracite, was induced to take
hold of Pocahontas coal In the last days
of August, 1888, they made their first ship
ment, and since then the rapid growth Of
the Pocahontas coal business has been
phenomenal, considering the want of facil-
tiles of transportation along one track
road, and has attracted the attention of
the business world. Through their unsur-
passed and liberal management, the de-
mand became greater than the supply in
short time, and the railroad could not
haul the coal to the seaboard fast enough
for the customers.
The railroad was promptly paid its
freights on delivery of the coal at Norfolk,
and was thus kept in funds to pay all gifts
many employees; and when you realize
that the railroad freight for tidewater coal
is not less than two-thirds the price the of
coal, it will then be seen of what advan-
tage the capital of this house was to our
Virginia people.
The advertising of this firm was some
thing marvellous. No expense was spared
in printing, engraving and
painting, and souvenirs we're sent, not
only throughout the Eastern and Southern
Atlantic markets, but throughout the
world. The most energetic and intelligent
agents were employed to push the coal in
their respective localities.
We have no individual operation or
mining company in tie Flat Top region
with the capital or the courage to have I'M
dertaken such risk. No doubt Pocahon-
tas coal has superior qualities, but business
men know that it takes something besides
good quality 10 introduce an article into
the markets when opposed by unlimited
competition, backed by stupenduous capt.
tai.
Does any one suppose that those who are
exciting the prejudice of the people against
Messrs. Cashier & Curran could have in
troducod this VIRGINIA coal info the Amer !
lean and some of the foreignnavies, and on
the ocean greyhounds of the merchant ma
rine, and have captured the cream of the
New England market, and even sent this
coal to England, Italy and Cape de Verde,
as well as the islands of the sea?
Cashier & Curran could not regulate the
prices at which the coal was sold. That is
regulated by competition; but no steam