The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-12-17


20 the effect that the coal rate contest
had ended with the refusal OF the
Chesapeake 4 Ohio Railway o. Join in /
the rate agreements. turns out 10 have
been . false hope.
No sooner was this act OF the Exec
utive Committee OF the Chesapeake & /
Ohio made known. than a meeting OF
the executive heads OF the Pennsyiva- /
nit Lines. the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail |
way. the Il. & %. Ry. the y * w.
Nv, and the J.. < y. Ry. was called for /
New York City. where they were join
ed In conference by representative /
OF strong financial interests" The |
outcome OF the conference was that I
the Chesapeake a. Ohio was Induced
10 withdraw from Its announced atti
tude and agree 20 Join the other rail |
roads q Ming Dew taIlns With al
Nanced rates. To the Interstate Com.
merce Commission.
A the dispatches. published at the
time. reported. the G. a. o. held out
against the rate increase until the
Pennsylvania Lines agreed 20 file new
tariffs increasing its rates 10 CORE
spond with the Increases formerly pro
posed for the West Virginia coal car
Tying roads.
The situation. 90 far rs N affects
West-virginia and her coal industry
has not been benefited by the new
status IN the slightest IL Is not On.
tirely certain that the new proposition
has not made bad prospect worse.
The Pennsylvania Lines apparently
DO not 20 into the contest for ad
vanced rates in good Leth. They
merely project themselves into IN,
lineup for the purpose OF inducing an
other important carrier TO become a
part or its own scheme. The PennsyI
vania does not want its own rates in
creased Had IT so wished. il would
have proposed increased rates at the
earlier date. when II induced the y.
4 w. and other West Virginia roads o.
give notice To their shippers that they
would increase their rates They are
IN the rate-increasing game temporar
~. only. 70 satisfy the demand OF the
q. r o.
Not wanting its rates increased. n
can not he imagined that the Penn.
syivania Lines will vigorously press
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission any such demand And. even
II II should honestly and vigorously
contend for the increase. u is incon-
cefvable that the Interstate Commerce
Commission would find the demand
justfnable- Or. even in the event that
the Commission should grant the in
crease upon the request OF the Penn
syfvania, there r. not the slightest
To- flue - D. n
make them effective. The Pennsyfva-
MIA has less claim for Increased rates
for carrying coal into Ohio. Indiana
and Illinois than any OF the other rail
roads entering into the rate-raising en-
terprise. Which fact will doubtless be-
urged with much force by shippers on
the Pennsylvania Lines
BY agreeing TO Join I'm the request
for higher rates the Pennsylvania has
gained lite point IL has committed the
C. 4 o. to its own scheme 10 boom the
coal business outside OF West Virginia
and bust IL inside our state II has
several chances 20 lose before the
Commerce Commission az 10 its own
increase OF rates. all OF which chances
10 viii. doubtless. cunningly promote
But, should IL win a bogus victory. n
can throw its fruits 90 the winds at
any moment II may choose 20 DO 80.
He II understood that a decree OF the
Commission. permitting the railroad 10
increase rate. does not operate az en-
obligation upon the railroad 10 put II
into effect AS. for instance. the ~. A.
w. was granted the right 10 increase
It's rates on coal 10 the North. several
years ago. in a similar proceeding.
while the other West Virginia roads
were denied the right As cons -
quence. the ~ 4 w did not avail
itself OF the risht granted. Tut main
tanned its old rates
Let n be understood Nv the people
OF West Virginia. who are So vitality
Interested In this rate proceeding. that
the Pennsylvania Railroad does not De-.
sire that Sc rates on roal 70 points
IN Ohio. Indiana and Michigan shall be
increased. Judging from the stand.
point Of the interest Of tho Pennsyiva
MIA. u wants ifs own rates ~ remain
as they arc. while those - the West
Virgins roads carrying coal 20 fhs
came points shall be raised The Goa
operators OF West Virginia understood
the whole scheme 70 be one Of IN,
Pennsylvania making. 70 DO exactly
that thing
y IL well enough understood by Al
concerned that. with the proposed new
rates In effect. West Virginia coal ca
not compete IN the markets anccfof
BY the increase. IL that fact 81 an,
concern 20 the railroads that are pro
posing the increased rates.
The railroads are not pr0posing an
increase on coal consigned % Cfncfu
noti. indianapolis and Chicago. or Ger
State Of Ohio. City Of Toledo.
Lo<as County
Frsnk J. Cheney makes oath that BE-