The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-22

Interstate Commerce Commission I
had hoped to have It adjusted 70 tue
extent that this division would receive
their Just quota Of the cars available.
but after q careful study Of Mr.. Keai-
ney's letter above referred to Ind
he is handing you the same line NJ
talk that he has handed the operators
on this division for the past three
years and, in the meantime, We get
nowhere and the shortage remains ur-
adjusted. / never received = lett1-
from Mr.. Kearney as yet on the sub
ject OF distribution Of cars as between
regions but what he had to express
his regrets that derailment OF some.
thing OF that sort prevented him fr IN
putting the cars in this region. II
seems TO me he has about worn that
excuse threadbsre and should invent
something else TO spring on Us.
note his statement theer IL going
vision was forty-fys cars behind at the
close OF business April 81. What
cannot understand is why he should al.
low them TO run over each and every
period during May, June and up to
July II until their average reached a
total OF 1,SS4.s-50 ton cars while this,
the Monongah Division, since the Pc
riod ending May 81 TO July "A was run
short TO the extent that 1,s90.e-50 ton
cars.
note this statement there is going
TO be some difficulty in equallSing the
averages on both the Cumberland and
Ohio River Divisions unless he lie.
pletes the car supply on these diTis.
ions entirely which would seriously
cripple the mining operations auo
would not be doing justice TO the op-
orators. Well, II those are his senti.
ments / am very glad TO hear them
for he certainly did not have them in
mind when he ran this division short.
He talks about seriously Gripping The
mining operations; he has not only
crippled US but he has US gasping for
breath; for instance, l can show you
the pay roll Of certain mining op.
GRAFTON in this field that lost IS miners
in one day due to the fact that they
did not receive single car for four
consecutive days. This is an extreme
case but / can show you proof from
practically every mining operation in
the region that has lost men simply
because We cannot get justice from
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad In the
matter OF q fair distribution OF open
top cars.
Kearney has repeatedly made the
statement that transportation condi.
tons come up at critical periods and
prevent him from eQualizing averages
and shortages as planned; maybe that
is SO but l cannot understand how ne
can keep the Monongah Division with.
in striking distance OF their quota of
cars during January, February, March
and April, the four worst months IN
the year as far as transportation con
ditions are concerned, and then when
fair weather comes during May, June,
July and August, we get so far away
from our quota that we are fearful Of
ever getting the cars.
This matter will not be Strengthened
out as you state by increasing the car
supply to the Monongah Division and
gradually reducing the deficit. 1 say
the B. & o. will not do this until you
command them to do It. We have
been stung badly in the past and The
indications are we are going to be
stung again unless you tell them, IN
plain terms, shoot or give up the
gun"