The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-08

The need of stronger cooperation
on the part Of the commercial clubs Of
North Dakota was brought out yester-
day afternoon at the meeting OF the
Fargo Commercial club. when a reso-
luton was before the club, concerning
the coal rate cases which are now be-
fore the United States supreme court.
The meeting yesterday was one Of
the most important that has been held
by the club this year. 1t did not last
long but there were several matters
of more than passing interest taken UP
and decided.
One of the most important of these
came up when the following resolution
was introduced by H. Bachelor. a
member Of the club:
Coal Rate Case Resolution.
Whereas the United states geologi-
cal survey states that there are some
5oo,O OO,OOO.OOO tons Of coal laying un-
der the lands of North Dakota, and
whereas, there is an abundance of raw
material in this state in the shape of
fax straw, wool, potters' clay, clay
suitable for the manufacture Of brick,
tile, sewer pipe and insulating porce-
lain. and, whereas by virtue Of the
coal and raw materials Of this state
1t should occupy leading position
as manufacturing state, and, whereas.
all that Is necessary to give a great
impulse to the development Of, great
Industrial enterprises, is cheap fuel,
and, whereas, all that is necessary to
secure cheap fuel in this state Is
reasonable rate for the transportation
Of coal, and, whereas, the legislature
Of the state Of North Dakota at its
1907 session enacted chapter 81. known
as the maximum coal rate law, and
that law establishes the same
tariff for the transportation of coal as
is now provided by law in the state
Of Illinois and whereas we believe that
the rate established by the legislature
OF the state Of North Dakota for the
maximum coal rate to be charged by
the railroads for the transportation Of
coal within said state, to be reasonable
and just, and whereas the railroads
have refused to obey the said maximum
coal rates and have taken it to the
courts, claiming that the said law is
confiscatory, and the supreme court |
Of North Dakota has unanimously adj |
judged that the law is valid and where |
as the railroads have removed the said |
case to the United States supreme |
court claiming that he will be ruined |
II said law is enforced now, therefore |
be IL resolved that we, the commercial /
club of the city of Fargo do hereby |
urge. the attorney general OF North I
Dakota to do his utmost to present the /
case Of the state Of North Dakota in
he most favorable light possible that
the court may be made to see the
Justice OF the cause Of the people and
De 1t further resolved that we aid the
said attorney general in every way
Interviewed j.. j.. Hill.
Mr.. Bachelor in presenting the reso-
ution made strong plea for the CO.
operation of the club in this matter of
cheaper rates, He states that he had
lot presented the resolution until af-
.er he had had personal interview
With James ]. Hill at St Paul last
week, in which he was given to UNI
ierstand by Mr. Hill that there would
% no voluntary reduction Of the coal
rates In this state
The coal rates which obtain in Pen
lsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and several
'ther eastern states were quoted by
Mr. Bachelor and compared with those
which are now in force in North pa
Sota- He showed that many east
srn cities whichSare much farther from
'oal beds than Fargo, have coal laid
iown at their doors for 81 per ton. He
stated that he was sure that such
PRICES ought to be made In Fargo and
hat with the coal deposits which there
ire in this state the state should be