The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-06-05

mediately this wonderful industrial
boom. the transportation lines of the
country, harassed on the one side by
promisuous and mischieyOus legi n;i-
ton, and on the other hand, BY in
creased expenses and decreased carr
ings, were without the means with
which to increase their facilities.
Be that as it may, the lamsntabls
fact is with us, and has been with us
daily, for the better part of a year,
that the railroads have proven them
selves physically unprepared to rem
der anything approaching the maxi
mum service necessary to handle the
present commerce of the country and
collectively unable to cope with the
new order of things.
We are merely wasting time in conf
planning about the railroads. They
may eventually be brought up to a
state somewhere near adequate,
whether through government control,
improved methods, or otherwise, but
it is sheer folly to hope that increased
facilities sufficient to meet the present
ratio of business, can be provided
within the next one or two years. We
are face to face with condition which
is vitality affecting all Of our interests,
and it is the present with which we
have to deal.
We are at least partially familiar
with some of the causes that have
brought about this condition, and we
are regretfully conservant with its ef-
feet upon the coal industry in particu-
lar. The problem confronting US is
seek to apply remedy that will a,
least minimize, if not prevent a recur.
renee, during the coming fall and win.
ter, of the distressing experience
through which we have but lately
emerged; and that remedy, my dealer
friends, so far as the domestic bust
ness is concerned, lies principally in
your hands.
The coal operator is powerless, be-
cause he Is at the mercy Of the rail
roads. No immediate improvement IL
Transportation conditions can be ex
pected unless there is a check to oul
present industrial activity. Any rem
edy so far as the immediate distribu
ton of coal for domestic purposes Il
concerned, rests in the hands of tn,
retailer. He must acquaint his Gus
toners in thorough fashion with thu
imperative necessity of taking theil
coal, and in the maximum quantity, a,
quickly as possible within the mex
ninety days, In my opinion but lit
tie urging In this direction will be ne
lcessary. In any event, am thorough
ly convinced from what know of tn,
Esprit of this Organization, that 20,
'Igentlemen have been quick to recog
lnize the exigency of the situation, ant
Twill find and employ the means Il
Icope with it.
| Not only will it be to your individ
ual interest to push forward in ever.
! possible manner the early deliverie,
of household coal, but your duty t,
society demands your best efforts II
| this direction. II among your Gus
dtcmers there should be any who ar,
unwilling to give heed to your advic,
i In this respect, the responsibility will
be theirs, II their negligence results Il
hardship and possible suffering mex
winter
Permit mo to extend to the mem
bers Of the Indiana Retail Coal Mer
chants Association my hearty con
Jgratulations on the remarkable prog
ress II has made. sincerely hope
and l fully believe. that when anothe
Iyear has rolled around, and the coca
sion Of your Second Annual Conven
ton shall have arrived. this organlsa
ton. sustained by the lively interest o
tn membership, and guided by the In
tsIlissnt efforts Of liz oiacers, VII