The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-03

the coal operators to reduce the pric
Of coal is acting unjustly:
WASHINGTON, June 2S.-A
vigorous protest was made to the
Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee investigating coal prices by
William B. Culver, Federal trade
commissioner, against the argu-
ments made by coal operators that
there was shortage of railroad
cars, and that the price of coal was
hereby raised. Mr.. Culver stated
that there was no shortage, but adj
mitted that there was a lack of
equitable distribution. He declar-
ed that there was a waste in the
use of railroad equipment amount
ing to 20% per cent, and that if
this were saved for coal transpor-
tation the entire industrial and do
nestle markets for coal would be
very amply provided. He declared
that the coal industries of the Unit
ed States could increase production
400, but that this production
could not be distributed unless
railroad cars were supplied to coal
operators.
1--WE do not need new cars" said
the commissioner, but what is
necessary is to put the cars we
have to good use"
He charged the coal cars were
being DETECTED from the coal mines
and used for other transportation
purposes. He stated that the steel
gondola type cars were being used
for carrying steel billets >automo-
blles, steel, sand and other COM
modities. The bottom of the car,
he said, was leveled with Stag so
that an even floor could be obtain
ed. This, he charged resulted. re-
suited in 500 waste. He advo-
Gated a more equitable distribution
Of coal cars, the elimination of the
long haul by using coal produced
at home" for home purposes"
Mr.. Culver explained that the
commission had devoted over a
years study to the coal situation
and found absolutely no valid ex-
cuse for the extortionate prices OF
coal now being charged.
Commissioner McChord, OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission,
conferred with members of the
Federal Trade Commission relative
to that body's recent report on the
coal situation in which 1t held the
present coal shortage to be entirely
due to improper handling Of coal
cars. The Trade Commission sug-
gested that more stringent rules be
put into force by the Interstate
Commerce Commission to insure
adequate transportation facilities.
G. e. Maurer, Cleveland oper-.
ator, declared that the Interstate
Commerce Commission should i'm
mediately adopt a regulation deal
ing With the demurrage, reconsign-
ment and car shortage problems as
affecting the coal industry. He
stated that II this was not done a
famine in coal would exist by the
first Of December.
1.-THE Interstate Commerce Com
mission must be given arbitrary
authority to deal with the rail-
roads," asserted Mr.. Maurer.
He declared that the inability to
obtain cars by operators having re-
suited in shutting the mines down
for three days a week in many To-
callties with a consequent deple-.
ton Of coal reserves at Lake points
and in the Northwest. he stated
these evils could be corrected II
sufficient cars were given the oper-
ators, and that "thls country could
be covered with coal within six
months" and would sell at a fair
price.
"The coal industry is always the
goat when there Is q car shortage"
said Mr.. Mauer. Cars formerly
used to haul coal have been trans
fered to other service. There must )
bea more equitable distribution OF
cars or there will be great suffer-
ing this winter"
Senator Pomerene, Of Ohio,
pointed out that there were more