The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-10-20
OIL. MARKET.
THE COAL CRISIS
History OF The Events Which Led Up To Tile Present
Condition Relative To Rates On Lake Shipments
nvJC. Nl,I[INLEY.

read of
When discussing the program this meeting with worthy
secretary agreed that address should be made by coal opera
# the grave e az g from
hesouhe Of the State to assume this responsibility but
atte time Mr. Nayor came to me and stated that he was I'm
gentleman whom he had in mind and asked me to
helpshim out his difficulty
operator and president Of the West Virginia Coal Mining
institute perhaps my duty try and set before you few
relative the present situation as brought to climax
by the action of the railroads.
Now i want you that this is not question of
freight ratesrhis is entirely an economic question.
Industry covering period of years not only in West Virginia.
competitive districts for the situation is brought
about by;certan well defined causes
Lef8ns 60 back twenty years oho production
tons annnm more than it was in West Virginia at
had coal fields in the of develop
fair field lay before them The coal lands we're about of
oe a ha roe m Better Sy Of e
oneha markets hand and the other had balance this friendly
maev the same in both states competition
only such competition under usual conditions leads to normal
andhealthy growtf-bu injected this situation
onSone feature for there had
labor organization known the United Mine Workers
Of America
those early days freight tariffs substantial
West Virginia although the published freight
only indication as TO the rates paid and have personal
knowledge instances where the rate from West Virginia less
from Ohio, although this not the situation generally
speaking.
the days Of rebates from the railroads shippers have
%n % into 9 81 e pn
freight commercial coal from the West Virginia
passing say diercntia not fixed without
serious complaint on The part Of the West Virginia operators
sapped Throughout the greater of West Virginia. for the dis
expanded and increased their production gone
andShaye built up splendid trade this basis
recognized fact that practices and beliefs which
stood the test of time being approximately right and Just
merit justify existence Although we do not
lapse of time federation Of wrong will
do hold regards material things that custom
established uncaengcd and practicable acquires merit through
itsSyerysage.
Agan1 ask to bear in mind this fact that it is not
freight rates. but Of dierentias, and why it
claimed this diferential is insufficient.
have mentioned before organization
donaln and ambition, and wise there
organization which in 1893 claimed members
the operators from Pennsylvania Indiana and
Illinois ome with them Chicago discuss the wage question
The negotiations at that time carried the miners part
and foresight and the of the
was the least by weakness and oughtessne
what nlomentous this that
signed on january 2Sh 1885,
Thny have been in times past far reaching agreements
entered into between employers and employees So am not
familiar with any such agreement
know that that has governed controlled
the hours and conditions of employment than half
for the past years. and it continually
has less influence in West Virginia today
primary cause of the crisis which facing.
hawere of the provisions of this important agreement?
Thesempoyer concedcd
Continued page eleven) q