The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-20

DOafuS or trade which are members OF
the national board of trade formulate
certain resolutions for consideration at
the annual meeting of that organiza-
ton. The resolutions to be introduced
this year by the Scranton board of
trade were considered at the regular
meeting held last night, and one of
these in particular is especially timely
and 1t Is most fitting that 1t should
originate from an organization which
has it's existence in the very heart Of
the anthracite field. 1t reads as fol-
lows.
Resolved, BY the National Board Of Trade that
the attention Of the interstate commerce commits
sion be called to the glaring discrimination in
freight rates against anthracite coal, and that
they are hereby respectfully requested to do
away with such discrimination, and If the present
law under which the commission Is acting, does
not permit of such action, then congress be re-
questcd by additional legislation to remedy the
same.
Colonel Il. L. Hitchcock. who, with
Secretary Atherton. will represent the
Scranton board of trade at the meet
ing of the National board, offered this
resolution and gave a number of rea.
sons why it should be brought up. 1Ie
SlttllSllCS u SnOW ludl "Uclc
it costs ten and one-tenth mills per
mile to carry anthracite coal 145 miles
from Scranton to tidewater, it costs
only two and fourteenth mills per ton
per mile to carry bituminous coal 1851
miles.
This is a very serious question:"
said Colonel Hitchcock, land one
which means q great deal to the peo-
pie of this valley. Things have reached
such q stage now that the anthracite
operators can't even take their buck
wheat and rice coal and compete with
bituminous coal in the power produce
ing fuel market, on account of the dis
eliminating freight rates given to the
bituminous operators"
McCLAvE's STATEMENT.
William McClave told of having been
present at meeting of the interstate
commerce commission when this mat
ter was being discussed some years
ago, and said that the only argument
the attorneys for the bituminous oper-
ators could offer in favor of lower
freight rates was that bituminous coal
was so plentiful that it ought to be
carried cheaply. the same as sand or
gravel. He thought that what was
required was men with a little brains
on the commission. The other resolu.
tions which the Scranton board Of
trade will present are as follows:
POSTAL LAWS.
Whereas, In view of the continued annual de-
fcit in the management of the postofticc depart
ment largely attributable to the abuses connect
cd with the distribution of second-class matter;
be it
Resolved, That the National Board of Trade
reafrms its former advocacy OF the passage by
congress Of the bill introduced in the Fifty y-fth
congress by Hon. Eugene +. Loud chairman of
the house committee on postoifces and post
roads, or similar bill, amending the postal laws
relative to sccondclass mail matter. believing
that such measure will correct the abuses pre-
vailng under the present law.
Resolved, BY the National Board of Trade that
congress be requested and so amend the postal
law, as to provide Immediately for one cent let
ter postage in cities and towns having free delv-
cry; and as soon thereafter practicable, for
one cent letter postage generally.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW.
Whereas, BY reason OF various decisions of Tie
United States supreme court, many OF the most
important provisions of the interstate commerce
law are imperative and fail to afford that relief
to the business interests of the country which
the law was enacted to secure; therefore be it
Resolved. That the National Board of Trade
recommends that congress Immediately enact
such amendments to the interstate commerce law
as will give to the commerce OF the United States
equitable, stable and uniform rates OF freight, or
failing to secure these, that the interstate com.
nercc law be repealed.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUS.
TRIES.
Resolved That the National Board of Trade rc.
spcctfully urge upon congress the creation of an
additional executive department of the govern
mcnt, to be known Us the department OF COM
mcrce and industries.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Resolved, BY the National Board OF Trade, that
its utterlnccs for the past five years,
it respectfully but earnestly urges upon congress
such action as will secure the immediate com.
plcIion OF the Nicaragua canal under the absolute
control Of the United States. That the building
OF this canal is not only commercial and mill
tary necessity, in view OF our interests in The
middle Pacific and the far Fast, hut is demand.
ed by every consideration of common prudence
for the protection OF our vast coast lines upon
both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
THE MEMBERSHIP.
A most interesting discussion, dur
ing the course OF which some of the
members said some rather tart things.
was brought up by report presented
by Chairman Levy, of the member
ship committee, regarding the neces-
city of increasing the membership OF
the board. In this report the fact was