The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-12-10
CLIMAX OF INTENSITY NOW
REACHED in THE ATTACKS
TOWN OFHOPEWELL NOW
AS BARE AS CORN FIELD

request OF the Pennsylvania, there is
not the slightest guarantee that the
Pennsylvania would make them cf-
fectiye. The Pennsylvania has less
claim for Increased rates for car
rying coal into Ohio. Indiana and IL
linois than any Of the other railroads
entering into the rate raising en-
terprise. Which fact will doubtless
be urged with much force by ship
pers on the Pennsylvania lines.
BY agreeing to Join In the request
for higher rates the Pennsylvania
has gained its point. II has commit
ted the Chesapeake and Ohio to its
own scheme to boom the coal bust
ness outside of West Virginia and
bust 1t inside our state. II has sew
eral chances to lose before the COM
merce commission as to its own in
crease of rates. all OF which chances
1t will. doubtless, cunningly promote.
But. should 1t win bogus victory,
1t can throw its fruits to the winds
at any moment 1t may choose to do
SO. Be 1t understood that decree
of the commission permitting rail-
road to increase rate. does not OPP
crate as an obligation upon the rail
roads to put 1t into effect. AS for in
stance, the Norfolk and Western was
granted the right to increase its rates
OH coal to the north. several years
ago. in a similar proceeding. while
the other West Virginia roads were
denied the right. AS consequence,
the Norfolk and Western did not avail
itself of the right granted, but main
tanned its old rates.
Let 1t be understood by the people
OF West Virginia. who are so vitality
interested in the rate proceeding,
that the Pennsylvania railroad does
not desire that its rates on coal to
points In Ohio Indiana and Michigan
shall be increased. Judging from
the standpoint of the interest of the
Pennsylvania, 1t wants Its own rates
to remain as they are, while those
OF the West Virginia roads carrying
coal to the same points shall be
raised. The coal operators of West
Virginia understood the whole
scheme to be one Of the Pennsyl-
ania's making, to do exactly that
thing.
It is well enough understood by all
concerned, that, with the proposed
new rates in effect, West Virginia
coal cannot compete in the markets
affected by the increase. Is that fact
OF any concern to the railroads that
are proposing the increased rates?
The railroads are not proposing
any increase on coal consigned to
Cincinnati. Indianapolis and Chica-
go. or certain circumscribed zones
surrounding those cities. Yet, to
other points, not more remote to the
West Virginia coal fields and which
can be served with equal facility, adj
vanced rates are promulgated that
will make impossible the marketing
of West Virginia coal.
The immediate, irrevocable conse-
quence Of the proposed act OF the
railroads Is. therefore. that West
Virginia coal can reach certain coal
markets OF the North and West, but
is peremptorily excluded from other
markets in the same territory. AS to
whether such a design is. back OF the
present combination of the railroads.
every one must draw his own conclu-
sions.
Certain It is that, by similar arbi-
trary establishments OF rates, as we'll
as arbitrary traffic exclusions on the
part Of railroads, not ton Of West
Virginia coal can reach the markets
of Philadelphia and New York, no
matter how great may be the demand
for our coal product in those cities.
The same Is true as to Baltimore, ex-
cept that the Baltimore and Ohio
may carry the coal product Of It's
lines to that city. adj
1t has been pointed out with fire.
quency that the West Virginia rail-
roads do not stand in need of adj
vanced rates on coal. 1t is by no one
urged that the existing rates are not
remuneratiye. On the contrary. 1t
has been shown that the railroads
derive their most profitable business
from the transportation OF coal 10
the markets from which they would
now exclude the product OF the West
Virginia mines.
West Yirginians interested in the
prosperity Of their chief industry
should not abate their interest In the
rate controversy. The fight is but
starting. To lose It would mean a
staggering. crushing blow to the en-
tire state.
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