The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-01-27
Pres. Willard Assures w.
va. Of Progressive Policy

they were said to rzlss In The coal re.
aions Of West Virginia by the mem.
bers OF the committee. They explained
that for months the shippers were
Handicapped in thea- deliveries by the
failure of the Baltimore and Ohio to
furnish them sutffeient cars to haul
their product.
They explained that they had ap.
peaIed time and again to officials of
the road but that conditions were nev.
er remedied, and as result the move.
mcnt of coal traffi: was seriously de.
tfayed.
What Was Claimed.
The committeeman, through their
spokesnen. Ex-Governor a. 8. Fleming,
.. S. Mckinney. State Senator Thors:.
of clarksbure; Col. John T. McGf.v-.
of Grafton, and Hon. J. w. Guffey, of
Pittshurg, said that the development
Of coal lands in WEST Virginia had
been rade almost impossible by the
failure ct the Baltimore and Ohio to
provide for the quick handling of coal
shipments in their section.
Attention was called to the car short
age which has existed pretty r,uch
ever since last fall. and of the little
improvement which is reported a. the
present tine.
The committeeman declared that the
Baltimore and Ohio had delayed too
long In ordering new equipment in or.
der to. take care OF the movement of
traffic in West Virginia and that be.
cause Of this failure on the part of the
Baltimore and Ohio to, procure the
equipment In advance the trade of the
coal miners had suffered.
President Willard wac told that, ow.
ing to the inability of the coal ship.
Eers to obtain sufficient cars from the
Baltimore and Ohio, they were com.
PEELED to divert traffic over other lines,
and that, in consequence, the saitl-
more and Ohio had lost considerable
coal tonnage IN West Virginia.
President Willard listened patientIy
to the protest Of the representatives of
the coal shippers, and .old them that
the. Baltimore and Ohio would take all
reasonable steps to improve the fra.
tic situation. He stated his position
clearly and foreibly.
He asserted that the Baltimore ar>1
Ohio would not be dominated by any
outside influences, but wou.I worl: out
rs own destiny. and that it would ex-
ert every effort to 90 forward along
progressive lines. He declared 1t to
be his intention to make thorough
Investigation Of the matters complain.
ed of, and declared that within the
next few months the road would be
thoroughly able to move all coal ship
rhenrs promptly in th= West Virginia
tiistr!:t.
After the conference the following
resolutions were unanimously adopt
ed by tn. committee:
"That the thanks o. this committee
be and are hereby rendered TO Presi.
dent Willard for the franz: and cor
dill conference t1.d this morning with
respect to the var:ous complaints Of
the shippers and producers of West
Virginia and tbs assurances given by
him to this committee in respect to
these complaints. Tine interview
and conference was frank and free be.
yond the expectations; the assurances
given for remedy OF the evils com.
planned Of satisfactory and sufficient,
the pol$;y outlined by hin, such as one
as means new era in progressive de-
ve.opment by the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad which, If carried out and con.
cluded, will mean sufficient shipping
facilities. adequate service and closer
relationship between this great corpo.
ration an d the Producers alcnu It's line