The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-27
COAL operators
Fight FOR STATE
They Secure the Assistance
of Expert Railroad Man
in Freight Cases.

A meeting was held this morning
at Fairmont OF the Freight Rate Com
mittee OF the Central West Virginia
Coal Operators Association, John A.
Clark. chairman, at which c. H. elm
kins, president Of the association, was
present.
It was announced that the first hear
ing of the advanced rate cases was
called by the Interstate Commerce
Commission at Washington at 10 a..
M, April 26th. Besides this case, IN
volving the proposed advance OF Is
cents ton on coal to all line points,
the Interstate Commerce Commission
will consider the Pittsburgh Lake Car
go Coal case. as well as the cases In
vo1ving coal rates to Michigan points.
It also developed that there were
casese before the Ohio State Commits
sion and the Pennsylvania State Com
mission which involved differentials in
coal rates, the maintenance OF which
is so essential to the we'll being OF
West Virginia.
After full consideration OF the sit
Suation 1t was decided to preserve the
interests OF the state, and of the coal
trade in particular, it was necessary
to secure the assistance Of railroad
man who had had broad experience in
Transportation matters. The services,
therefore, have been secured of Ar
thur Hale, now chairman OF the Arbt-
ration Committee OF the American
Railway Association as we'll as its
committee on legal and traffic regu-
lations.
A conference committee OF three
was appointed of which Mr.. Hale will
be chairman and G. H. Jenkins and
r. B. Isner the other members.
(, It is hoped that by careful prepare
ton and concerted action with. the 9th
er coal operators associations 1t will
be possible to avert the danger now
Threatening West Virginia's prospect
ty, The West Virginia Public Service
Commission is in full sympathy with
the movement. 1t has formally re-
ported to the Interstate Commerce
Commission against the proposed
increase In rates and 1t is understood
it will take further action.
Mr.. Hale has had railroad expert
enece In over thirty years, chiefly with
coal roads. He worked his way from
an apprenticeship in the shops of the
Pennsylvania railroad to be superin-
L6HuGHG# OL LGlSSA dPA VI bH1t AIhVr oAA0
later was transferred to the Baltimore
& Ohio railroad where he served as
assistant general manager and gener-
al superintendent of transportation.
Mr.. Hale has always taken great in
terest in the freight car question and
as early as 1902 was made chairman
OF one Of the committees of the rail-
way association interested in the de-
velopment of the per diem and demur-
rage systems. His work for the asso!
citation grew so enormous that in 1903
he severed his connection with the
Baltimore and Ohio. It is understood
that his resignation of his various Of
fees in the American Railway Associa-
ton will take effect in the near flu:
ture.
While Mr.. Hale was in charge OF the
Transportation Department of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad he made
the acquaintance Of the leading coal
operators of West Virginia. 1t is at
their suggestion that he has come to
Fairmont and interested himself in
these various important cases. His
office will be in the Continental Build
ing, Baltimore. @