The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-17

affecting the interests and welfare of /
the citizens and industries of this state I
That is the general scope of the IN +
quiry of the committee
THAT the citizens and industries OF
the state suffered greatly during the
mast season through the coal shortage, /
goes without saying, and cannot be de
MED, and the purpose OF TINS commit
tee was TO determine. if possible, where
in the fault lay. The consensus OF
opinion and prepondeTance of evidence /
tended to show the following state of
facts, viz:
Findings Of Fact.
II That the total tonnage of coal
mined at the Utah Fuel company's
mines aggregated approximately 1,SS9,-
PIG tons.
-. That the amount shipped out OF
the state of Utah from the productions
of its own mines is about $4,000 tons.
so That the amount shipped into the
state from Rock Springs. etc, Wyo..
exceeded the amount shipped out of the
state.
/ II. That the cost per ton at Utah
mines owned by private individuals and
corporations is the same in all cases,
/ viZ.-S2 per ton-and that uniform
rate of transportation for all parties
on lump or market coal, is Sl.'o per
ton. and on Slack coal. $50 per ton.
/ IS. While the testimony varied some
what. the preponderance of evidence
/ developed the fact that coal mine OPP
| orators had done all in thier power TO
mine and place on the market as great.
a tonnage as possible with the num-
Der Of men they were able to secure TO
! operate their mines; and further that
/ the transportation companies had
taxed their rolling stock 10 the utmost
capacity to handle the same, in some
cases taking their motive power from
Handling other commodities in order to
give the coal industry the preference
When this is said, there is no Disgusting
the fact that the railroad companies
rolling stock is not the best and is not
kept up To the standard of efficiency
that the urgency of the case and de-
mands of the public require.
Demand Exceeds Supply
%. The testimony of some of the
Witnesses substantiated and disclosed
4 the fact that industrial activity, in
! creased demands Tin some cases
/ amounting to several hundred per cent
! over former years., are responsible for
the shortage in coal, not alone in Utah,
but throughout the entire United
States.
q. There Is one important matter
upon which all the witnesses, except
one. in a general way agree, and that
is that the appointment of a railroad
commission would not solve the ques-
ton and correct the evil a further
opinion, however, which was quite as
Unanimous was that the fixing of a
I maximum rate of transportation on the
haul of coal and cores would tend to
I IF fhnCn Industries
on sure and permanent basis. and
encourage the individual mine opera-
tor to engage in the coal business, and
thereby increase the supply TO the con-
sumner How well-founded this theory
lis, has rot yet seen detanfnea by
rHcofainittee. A further pertinent
suggestion was made by one of the wit
nesses in that proper amendment TO
section 455, Revised Statutes Of Utah.
covering the above suggested points.
would relieve the situation.
I Calm judgment Required.
Throughout the proceedings. the
committee have endeavored to keep in
mind the spirit of the governors mes
sage touching this important subject,
and indOrse his expression wherein he
says.
q The new federal law covering un-
now in operation and the roads will
doubtless adapt their affairs to its pro-
visions. Evidence and calm Judgment
should prevail and every opportunity
be given the railroads to clear up the
situation, and overcome present diff
culties.
Taking the testimony all in all. it
lacks that element OF assurance. unity
of thought. and practical expression
va had hnnan a receive far
as your committee. are concerned, we
are of opinion that the remaining time
of the legislature is too short and
owing To other important matters OF
state engaging our attention, to attempt
to pass such remedial legislation at this
time. and give it the serious and con-
siderate attention that the Importance
of the case would seem to require, and
= We recommend that a copy of these
proceedings had and filed herewith. TO-
cether with this report be submitted
to the legislature two years eIfoI
its consideration. Respectfully submit
ter.
Senators
PETER CLEGG.
e. r. HOLLINGSWORTH
WILLIS JOHNSON,
II. BCLLEN, JR.,
REPRESENTATIVE
III. J. ROBINSON,
j. r. TOLToN.
'.BRAXToN BARNETT,
GEORGE A. HONE.
"B. II. BOWER.
Committee
salt Lake City. Utah, March IA
1907"
Senator Lawrenee's Views.
senator Lawrence's minority repor
agrees with much that is contained il
/. the majority report Mr.. Lawrence
saws that OF the 100000 tons lnined il
I-tah. the greater portion is convertes
= into coke. which is sold to SmelterS il
ana ont. OF the state. and that only
miner portion of all the coal produces
is available for domestic consumption
and further. that We depend upon Wy
an,ine for quite a large portion of on
domestic coal.