The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-12
WASHINGTON NEWS -
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BY CHARLES CROOKS SMITH.
(BY CoNDol

men to seek employment elsewhere"
and thousands offoreign birth, reserY-
lists, left the mines for the trenches
with the breaking out Of the war
abroad. Many ofthem went to the mu-
nitions plants which, in themselves,
working from 16 to "a hours day
created new market for coal which
was tremendous. "The great Du Pont
powder plant located at Hopewell, Va,
a city constructed almost in night,
has been working their immense plant
since the war on three eight-hour
shifts. This plant consumes great
quantities of Pocahontas coal, con-
sumption entirely new to that field"
This is merely one striking example OF
many that could be cited.
Mr.. Cooper cites production figures
of eight large mines covering the first
five months of this year, showing a
net shortage of 1875 tons of coal and
SAIL tons of coke, the main cause for
which he ascribes to lack Of coal. If
the decrease in production indicator
by these figures Is general all over the
state, and 1 feel warranted in so as
Stunning, then we are forced to the con-
clusion, there being 1000 mines in the
state, that there will be a shortage this
year of 10000, 900 tens. The new oper.
atoms developed since 1916 will take
up some of this shortage. > !" We
have from time 10 time noted the rul-
ings handed down by the Interstate
Commerce Commission and the Coun-
Gil of National Defense having for their
purpose the expedition Of shipments;
but so far, am frank to say, we can
not see any evidence of better coal
supply"
An interesting part Of Mr.. Cooper's
address is that in which he gives fig.
ures to show that the percentage Of
coal prices (Mr. Cooper is talking from
the standpoint Of the coal producer
solely, leaving out Of it the viewpoints
of those who may have an interest in
ton of coal here and there from the
mines mouth to the market) has risen
no faster nor greater than farm prod
ucts themselves, when increased cost
of production Is counted In. II am not
unfolding any operator who attempts
to exact exorbitant profits. am not
IN favor Of the operator who holds his
coal free from contract and forces the
consumer to pay holdup prices. 1t
can be said to the credit Of the opera
tors of West Virginia that they are lty-
ing religiously up to their contracts"
and cases are cited where 1t is being
done at loss"
Now what are Mr.. Cooper's conclu-
sions as to fuel control? It may be
found in these words: I'VE do not
feel the ccal business should be sim
gled out for regulation by the govern.
ment any more than the steel and
other businesses Of the kind should be
regulated. And II may be well to con-
slider the regulation and fixing OF the
price of a bale Of cotton II you are TO
fix the price of a ton Of coal. Person
ally, have no objection to a maxi
mum price being fixed on q ton OF coal,
provided the price is fixed at the point
of production and provided the price
Is fair and makes due allowance on &C.
count of state Of war, increased cost
of production by reason Of labor costs,
and cost Of mining materials, and the
present inefficient labor supply, as
this is not as efficient as 1t was prior
to the wal"
And what is this coal-eIpert Con-
CHEESEMAN'S opinion of the plan Of the
state.socialists Of the administration
to take charge Of the coal mines Of the
country? Here II is:
81 would like some man to tell me
what branch Of the public service the
government opehtes cheaply. Has II
not been the experience that under
government operation extravaganza
and waste prevail?
"The men in charge OF the coal
plants of the Nation as rule, are men
who have grown up In the ppsiness.
They have in many cases been promet'
ed 10 managers after serving their
time as trapper boys, mine forpmep end
superintendents. Many q them are
mining engineers. Their mines are
laid out and operated with . care
equal 70 the operation q 4 EanFola
F