Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-12-31
SHORT H['GHIGRARGED
PLAN OF WARFARE OUTLINED
The Association Adopts Resolutions at
Its Meeting in Wateroo-It Hopes
to Force a More Careful System Of
Weighing and charses-Text of the
Resolutions.
Resolutions.

Waterloo. Dec. 31.-unless the mine
| operators and coal jobbers of Iowa and
the west quit their alleged practice OF
giving the retail dealers short weights
there will be war between the jobbers
and the Iowa and Nebraska Retail Coal
| Dealers Association.
| Tuesdays meeting of the association
! IN Waterloo TO consider the injustice
| that its members declare they suffer
| brought out nearly 100 prominent re-
Nebraska, and in their discussions and
| i'll their resolutions they took a deter
mined stand upon the matter In the
resolutions the plan of warfare was
| outlined-close account will be kept OF
all short weights and claims arising
| therefrom VIII be assigned to one deal
er, who will begin suit 10 collect them
the very moment they amount to 500.
by constant lighting along this line the
retailers hope TO force more careful
system of Weighing and charges.
The resolutions adopted by the deal
ers were as follows:
Whereas, A number of responsible
coal dealers in the territory covered by
the association have, for the past year
or more. kept a careful record of coal
received by them, but more especially
coal shipped direct from the mines TO
retail dealers. In addition to this rec
ord some of the dealers have made fur
Their tests by having the agent OF the
railroad at the point of destination
weigh the coal, both gross and tare, on
thoroughly tested track scales. The re-
suit of these tests show a practically
universal shortage, running from few
hundred pounds up to as high as eight
tons to the car; and
Whereas, In certain coal districts
it is the custom of the railroads to ac-
cept mine weighed by the producers.
but is merely judgment that much OF
this coal is never weighed by the pro-
ducers, bilt Is merely estimated accord
Ing to the capacity of the car on which
1t is loaded. This loose method of
doing business results in an
almost universal shortage, and the eyi,
has assumed such proportions that the
retail dealers who handle this class of
coal are defrauded of a large share of
their legitimate profits, and both the
miners and the railroads are constant
ly receiving pay for coal that they
have never produced or never hau.sd d.
Therefore,
Resolved. That it is the Judgment
of the coal dealers here assembled that
the time Is now ripe for us to take
drastic measures to remedy this evil.
and secure honest weights on the coal
which we buy. Therefore,
Resolved further, That the retail
dealers hare assembled pledge them
every car of soft coal received by them
for period OF thirty days. and that
when shortage amounting to 1000
pounds or more is found in a car they
will make a fun report OF such short
age, stating number of car, by whom
shipped. together with either original
or duplicate expense bill. accompanied
by an AFFIDAVIT showing weights and all
other necessary Information. and file
the same with the secretary of this as
sociation.
Further, That hereafter the retail
coal dealers doing business within the
states OF Iowa and Nebraska will de-
mand and insist on receiving a bill of
lading covering each and every ship
ment of coal purchased by them. And
IN case any mine operator, shipper or
jobber refuses or falls to furnish such
bills of lading, 1t shall be the duty OF
the purchaser to make a full report OF
the matter to the secretary, who shall
investigate the report and advise the
members of this association to give the
names of such firms. corporations or
concerns as refuse to furnish such bills
OF lading.
Resolved. That the president and
or more dealers in Iowa and one or
more dealers in Nebraska who shall
receive an assignment of the claims for
shortage OF the dealers in a certain ter
ritory. which shall be SO designated by
tn officers of this association. When
the Individual, firm or corporation SO
designated shall have received claims
enough. including their own, to amount
to 500 or more against any one rail-
road. thus making a case large enough
to secure an appeal to the supreme
court If necessary. they shall COM
mence suit in their own name against
such railroad for such overcharge as
may be shown by the affidavits of the
different dealers.
"Resolved further, That in order to
desray the expenses of such suits, the
dealers here assembled subscribe to a
fund to be placed in the hands of the
secrs tary of this association, and to be
paid out only on verified vouchers of
firms authorized to maintain such suits
for actual expenses incurred in carry
ing on the suits. The secretary is also
instructed to solicit contributions to
this fund from all coal dealers, mem
bers of this association or otherwise,
who are not present"
Sawyer to Reside in Des Moines.
Special to Times Republican.
Centerville, Dec 31-Dr j. L. Saw