Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-29

owners to produce COAL would have the
right to require the government receivers
of the coal mining properties to sell coal to
consumers at the actual cost of production,
this being one way to get even with the
mine owners and coal-carrying railroads.
After giving in considerable detail de-
scription Of the anthracite coal areas of
Pennsylvania. and the methods of mining
and distribution. regulation of prices, etc,
that are today in effect. Mr.. Chaplin says:
The situation above set forth Is the re-
suit of slow and gradual processes on the
part OF successive owners Of the present
coal mining region; of legislatures, in char
tering and permitting the consolidation or
leasing of railroad and coal corporations; of
mine owners and operators, and of the gen.
eral public; and the upshot of the stua-
ton, In this respect. Is that the present
members of the coal combination Qncluding
as 1t does. the coal-carrying roads and the
owners of mines) and their predecessors
in title and in business, have, during fifty
years or more, invited the public to build
and plan their business and domestic af-
fairs upon the expectation of a constant
supply of enormous quantities of anthracite
coal from this region and the delivery of it
out of the mining region at proper shipping
points. all at a price affordng a proper
compensation for the coal, the mining of 1t
and the transportation of it to these ship
ping points, but price also consistent with
the practical continuance of use of 1t by
the public for business and domestic pur-
poses.
Upon this reasonable expectation and re-
lance on the part of the publican expecta-
ton and a reliance invited and encouraged
by the mine owners and the coal-carrying
companies-is founded the whole industrial
and domestic economy-one might almost
say the existing form of civiliZation-of
the population Of the eastern part Of the
United States including in this not merely
the conduct of private business such as
manufacturing; not only the domestic re-
n Ire nvnte - lit.
only, TO large extent. the land and water
transportation system. including the transit
OF the malls, but Also in countless forms
Ihe requirements Of the national. state and
municipal governments. which among
them. for government buildings nroner ND
LOT myrlads OF schools and the like are
70 large extent absolutely dependent as
CONDITIONS now are and for some time must
remain upon continuous supply os an
thracite coal in a manner that can he a.
pended upon. NC NC
Mine Owners Power.
From this 1t follows that from a s,,,a-
ton arising out Of their own invitatio the
mine owners and the coal-carrying COM
panies-that Is to say, the members of the
coal combination-hold practically in one
hand (and subject In fact to the control of
their small representative body one Of the
three or four chief bases of the existing
forms or public and private life and con-
Veniences as now conducted and existing
within the eastern part Of the United States,
with g. population OF over 10000, 600 of peo:
pie.
1T has been publicly assumed by Prest-
dent Baer. who appears to be the recognized
spokesman OF the coal combine. and 1t seems
to be assumed by Mr.. ]. Pierpont Morgan,
by his refusal. as member of voting trust,
or otherwise, to interfere with the present
situation, that the owpers Of the mines and
the owners Of the coal-catrying roads stand