The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-17
XX7ASEI INGTON NEWS y
= GOSSIP [sz-szzzEzs szeszs s15zz

WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. H.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, it has announced, will begin
hearings in the West Virginia coal
rate case on the Goth inst. This Is
tho freight rate case with which the
people of the state are quite familiar
by this time. 1t originated with the
commission increasing the coal diff
fcrential 10 western markets approx
imately Is TO 20 cents on the ton,
which action stirred up'such an unan-
imous and vehement protest on the
part of not only the coal operators
Of West Virginia, but every large
business interest, chamber OF COM
merce and the state government 1T
self, that the Commission was induced
to suspend the operation OF the pub.
lished increase until the 18th day OF
next May, and agreeing to reopen the
cause and pass upon the merits anu
dement's OF the controversy. AS sta.
ted, the hearings Will start on the
29th inst.
In preparatfon-for this the execu-
tive committee fthe West Virginia
Coal Association held a conference IN
this city on Monday. In addition to
the members Of that committee, there
were present members OF the TRAFFIC
committee, and leading coal operators
who are members of neither commit.
tee, but directly and vitality concerned
in the business under consideration.
No statement could be made as TO
what was done at this meeting, for
the business transacted was OF sucA
an important character that were the
other side Of the case to learn about
it, it would be helpful as being IL tne
natural Of advance information as 60
the plan of procedure the west VIZ
ginians have decided to act on. FOR
that reason, said Publicity Dispenser
George Colin Mcintosh for the opera
tors to the newspaper correspondents
no formal statement would Pe issued.
There were over thirty men in at.
tendance upon the meeting, most OF
them prominent and widely known In
Mann, OF Bramwe1l; Col. w. D. Ord.
Of Landgrat: 2. Taylor vinson, Of
Huntington; E. p. Merrill, Of Logan;
George wolfe, OF Mcdowell county;
Col. w. H. j. w. Dawson, OF Charles
ton; and George c. Mcintosh, Of Hunt
ington.
.. ID, e. Is b . 1. =.
The meeting OF the Democratic state
committee held at Parkersburg was
responsible for the absence from the
Capital on Tuesday of the entire
Democratic membership OF the states
congressional delegation, as 1t was
the magnet which drew away from
their homes many party leader in
every section OF the state. 1t was
the general expectation that there
would be some interesting develop
ments as a result Of the powwow OF
big and little chiefs. Senator Chiffon
and Representatives Nicely. Brown and
Littlepage, It is said; felt that the
government could well afford to do
without their services for day or
two, when such an important party
conference was to be attended. Be-
sides, although Mr.. Brown has stided
his ambition to head the state ticket,
Messrs. Nicely and Littlepage have
not, and there attitude is said to be
toward the Kubernatorial nomination
that OF watchful waiting. Senator
'Chilton's candidacy to succeed him:
self is, OF course. universally under.
stood by the public. NJ
six bills we're dropped into the
House. hopper on ndays ~ ngresa: