The San Francisco call., 1907-01-13
COAL TRUST AND
RAILROADS IN
FUEL PLOT
Famine Alleged Result of
Corporations Plans to
Have Revenge on People
SEEKING HELP IN
FIGHT AGAINST LAW
Ruling Of Interstate Com
merce Commission Rouses
Interests to Take Action

Retail coal deaIers-rhe men upon
whom the public depends for its sup
pIy-have reached the opinion that the
Western Fuel Company has sObbed
through 10 communication a scheme
cOncOcted by the railroad companies
with the deliberate intent TO cause n
fuel famine. AnEered at a decision of
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which was sustained by the supreme
Court OF the United states, prohibiting
rhe railroads from hsuIing nny1hing
produced by them, with the exception
Of lumber, and determined 10 have re-
venge upon the public for the enact
ment Of the law, the railroads, con-
fronted BY deprivation of the profits
they had enjoyed from their coal prop
cries. are alleged 10 have determined
that IL they cOuId bring this condition
about the people would he given an
opportunity while they shivered through
the winter 70 speculate on the problem
whether or not Il pafe TO fEkt the in
tereEts.
roads saw to it that no independent
coal dealer was supplied with a suf-
fcient number OF cars TO haul his prod
uct 70 market When complaint was
made the other railroads contended
there was a shortage OF cars. though
an inventory showed that not only
hundreds, but thousands OF ''empties"
filled the si6etracks Of the various
companies operating in the Middle
West.
SECURE CONTROL OF SEA
The campaign OF the railroads from
the land side was entirely within their
control, with the result that coal from
the Northern and Middle West mines,
which usually went to keep up the
supply OF the Pacinc Coast and the
country as far east as the Mississippi
River, ceased TO be supplied But the
ocean side OF the question had 10 be
attended TO. With the mines OF British
Columbia japan and New South Wales
having their bankers at the tidewater
on the Pacific, it became necessary
for the RAILROADS 10 see that compe-
tition from these points did not be
come too strong. So. the retailers al
lege, a deal was effected with the
Western Fuel Company the Pacific
Coast coal trust. looking to the con-
summation OF the railroad plan OF re-
venge AS TO how admirably it has
succeeded every housekeeper in town
can testify
There can be no question" said a
local retailer yesterday. that the
northern mines, which are controlled by
the Western Fuel Company. are not
permitted to work 10 capacity. They
are jobbine things TO nicely This
fact is evident when conditions touch
ing any branch OF the railroads are
analyzed.
a fact worthy OF consideration is
that no steamship owned by the Pacific
Mail. Harriman's trans Pacific line, has
been forced 70 remain over for min
ute owing TO q lack Of coal. When the
Pacific Mail gets short CT coal in some
miraculous manner a steamship always
appears with just enough TO send swsy
the next liner with fun bunkers and
leave nothing ror the people TO get
warm by"
STEAMSHIP BRINGS COAL
This afternoon the steamship African
Monarch arrived from Australia bear
ing 5000 tons Of coal. Investigation,
however. disclosed the fact that 5000
tons Of this was consigned TO the Pa
ciac Mail and the other 5000 tons to
the Western Fuel Company and the
Pacific Fuel Company for use 8 bunker
coal on their steamships. The fact that
these companies have been able to sup
! ply themselves with such regularity
indicates that they could have supplied
the public had they desired.
But the railroads have a definite OBJ
ject in view. According TO the retailers.
they are going to make a fight for the
repeal OF the interstate commerce Law,
which has so sadly depleted their
profits. and when they make this night
1t is their hope that the public, remem-
bering its suffering during the winter
Of 1867. viii sustain them in their
contention that they should be given
the right TO market their own coal, no
matter through whst system OF fraud
they came into possession Of the coal
lands they are mining. It is the con-
sensus OF opinion. however. that the
Government viii find way to compel
delivery of the coal OF the independent
dealers.
TOLL COLLECTIONS LIGHT
Charles H Spear. president OF the
State Board OF Harbor Commissioners,
saws that little coal is coming 10 San
Francisco. Ships that formerly came
with coal in ballast are bringing ce-
ment and other commodities.
The coal ehinnerk ere r1a,-innr IN ra.