The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-05
Mcdonald and Blach Write to The Age-Herald Con-
 demning Move
NO TIME TO PUT MORE
 BURDENS ON PEOPLE
People Should Awaken, Says Blach. Mentions Possibility of Railroads Killing the Goose That Lays
 the Golden Egg"

The Age-Herald yesterday was in re- Eeipt of letters from T. C. McDonald, a member of the legislature, and Colman Blach, a we'll known merchant of Bir- mirgham, protesting against the proposal of the railroads to raise rates on coal to Anniston, Talladega and Sylacauga B3 Is per cent.
 For many years the partnership be- been mutually beneficial" writes MT. Mo Donald. 1.-The question presented today is: shall a breach occur.'' And agaia: '..rhis is certainly no time for an extra ordinary burden of railroad freight rate increase to be placed upon our people in view of the European war and it's effect upon the provision market
 'sThe people should awake to the alarnl- ing possibilities which confront thern,'' says Mr. Blach in discussing the effect 1pon business of an increase in ratess He mentions "the possibility of killing tho goose that lays the golden egg ty placing a burden upon coal consumers and shippers of Alabama that cannot be horno" and predicts that the railroads will recognize this
 
 Letter From Mcdonald
 "It is fully conceded that the most important question to the industrial world is transportation for by the control -os transportation one can build up or break down any city of section, no matter what natural advantages it may enjoy.
 Just now, the people of Birmingham are threatened with an increase of freight rates on nearby coal which, if carried into effect, Is going to prove a burden some tax on every man, woman and child who dwells within our limits. Birming- hams strength and Birm'ngham's wealth are based upon the coal fields which sur round us and but for these there would be no Birmingham. To obtain cheap fuel the industrial plants and the people who invest :n them sought this as a location, aad under the impetus of this natural advantage have builded here a great city. Cooperation by the railroads has. of course. proven 8 wonderful factor in bringing Birmingham to her present posi- ticn, but it must be remembered that Birmingham has done much for the rail- roads-more than any other community Tn the south. For many years the partner ship between our people and the roads has been mutually beneficial! The ques- ton presented today is shall a breach cccu.:'
 "Thc action of the Chamber of Com morce in its protest against a threatened disturbance of present relations between the railroads and tho people is timely, <and should meet the indorsement of every consumer of coal here, which means everybody. It is the retail dealer and the consumer who is to bear the burden of increased freight rate on coal, if it be permitted and these are rnore vitally in- terested than are the operator and the miner. Why should we not invoke the protecting hand of the state?
 No Time for Increase
 'This certainly is no time for an ex- traordinary burden of railroad freight rate increase to be placed upon our peo- pie, in view of the European war and its effect upon the provision market. High cost of living may be borne by the rich, but the poorer classes are Just now up against proposition as to food supplies,
 tContinued on Page Eleven)