The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-18
GOAL OPERATORS ID |WGO''' 1USLY RESIST PROPOSED INCREASE If Railroads Request Is Granted Would Be Se-
 we're Blow
 FRISCO PERMITTED
 TO TAKE FIRST STEP Request Far Exceeds That Made By Eastern Roads Which Was Only
 Partially Granted-Chamber of
 Commerce to Investigate
By CLYDE w. ENNIS

There has been no event in this district during the past few years which has so disturbed the coal industry as the pro- posed increase in coal rates against which the Chamber of Commerce is expected to protest. That the proposed raise of the railroads if granted by the state commis- sion will cost this district 1.50Q, coo tons of coal per year is the opinion of the best informed coal men of this district. The production In this district has seldom ex- ceeded 100000 tons per annum. and if from that amount the railroads by the proposed rates cause to be cut off 100000 tons, it will be a severe blow to the in dustry.
 The coal men of this district appeared before a committee of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday and earnestly pre- scented to that committee some reasons why Birmingham should present an un- broken front in resisting the efforts of the railroads to increase the rates
 The increase asked by the eastern lines two years ago was for per cent After two years study the interstate commerce commission granted an increase of that amount in 8 very few cases, but some increases in all rates asked covering this country almost like a blanket.
 ! What It Would Mean
 The Alabama lines, however, do not want cents. They do want s3 1-S per cent into Birmingham from all coal mines. That will mean a corresponding increase to every consumer of coal in the Bir-- mingham district. On top of that increase the railroads propose to raise the rate b cents to New Orleans They want to iri- crease the rate b cents to every Missis- sippi point and a like amount to Mem- phis, effective January 1. The rates to Sylacauga, Talladega. Gadsden, Attalla, Decatur and such points will be increased under the proposed tariff to such an extent as to prohibit the Birmingham coal men from selling coal to any of those cities.
 It was stated yesterday by an official of one of the biggest companies here that if the increase is permitted. every rail- road buying coal here now will buy fuel necessary for it's locomotives even in Birmingham terminals from points out side of this state
 Information that these rates were to be asked came here in communication from the fuel department of the Frisco lines. It appears that the railroads are In a measure permitting the Frisco to assume the lead in reference to the in- crease From all accounts in local cir cles there will be very strenuous fight presented before the rates go into effect.
 The Alabama Coal Operators associa- ton, composed of all the principal coal producing concerns here, is up in the arms over the increase proposed. committee of that institution has in charge the fight against the rates and will carry the matter not only to the Chamber of Commerce but to all the civic bodies of this city and perhaps the state.
 It was stated yesterday and is well known that on a split of half penny the coal producers of this district se- cured the lately placed renewals for coal from local railroads. It is obvl- ously true if that is a fact, and no one doubts it, that if the increase asked by the local lines are permitted to go into effect that the railroads will cer- tainly buy their coal elsewhere.
 At this time it is said to be fact that switch engines handle cars of coal from some local mines burning coal that Is hauled into Alabama from Kentucky an delsewhere.
 Difficult to Reconcile
 
 It is difficult for local producers to reconcile the increase requested with the evident desire of all the lines to promote the interests of this communi- ty. There has seldom been time in the last 15 years or more but what the Southern railway, Louisville and Nash vile, Frisco lines and others were yital- 1y interested in tiie progress of this community. In many instances the lines have even singled out Birmingham as place for the demonstration of their marked consideration and esteem.
 No one here believes for moment that L. Sevier. general agent for the Southern and It's allied lines, or J. H. Doughty of the Frisco lines. or F. F. Stovall of the Illinois Central or any of the local officials would attempt to hurt Birmingham, or but what they would resent any such effort. However it would appear that there Is good grounds for the opinion that unless there is some strong action taken. the lines represented by these general agents will inflict heavy injury on the district they profess to love so well.
 It was believed for a time that the lines and the local coal men would set tie by .amicable agreement the rate proposition. However, it begins to ap- pear as if the problem was simply all lowed to slumber while the railroads prepared to renew their efforts. In the