The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-13
Railroads and Big Operators
Work Against Small Producer.
That Is Charge Made by Presi-
dent HOwatt, Miners Union.
SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF CARS
Railways Would Not Move Out
put in ScammOn-Weir Mines.
No Danger of Strikes Now,
Workers Executive Declares.

Railroads and large operators are
operating under an agreement to
freeze OUT the small coal producer,
according to claims before the public
utilities commission this afternoon by
Alexander Howatt, president of the
United Mine Workers association for
the district of Kansas and eastern Mis-
souri, Howatt came to Topeka with
several small producers from the
Crawford Cherokee county district to
appeal for cars with which to handle
the output from the smaller mines
Howatt said there was no strike
danger.
Mines in the Scammon and Weir
districts have been compelled to shut
down because the railroads did not
move their output, according to state
ments before the state commission
members. An order asking relIef from
existing conditions was urged. Howatt
declared the state commission could re-
lieve the present situation. He said
the question of car distribution to the
mines was subject to regulation by the
commission and not by Harry A. Gar
field, federal fuel administrator.
No Cars to Haul Coal
Some of the mines in the south
eastern district have been shut down
three weeks because there have been
no cars with which to handle the out
put" said Thomas c. Scott of Weir,
an operator.
Il believe the railroads and the
large operators are in an agreement,
declared Howatt 1.-The big operators
get the cars. The small producers get
none. There isn't anything to resem-
BILE or indicate a fair distribution. The
small producer receives nothing like
percentage share of the cars, based
on daily output.
iS shortage. not
trouble, that is responsible for the
present fuel shortage" Howatt in
sisted.
There are plenty of men to work
the Mines" said the head of the min
ers' organization. There are no
strikes, nor is there danger of a strike.
| 1 don't know what the International
Mine Workers convention will do
| with our recent agreement when they
meet in Indianapolis. But in any
event, the mines will remain open. If
the new agreement isn't approved, an
other will be written"
Short output from the mines is due
entirely to the failure of the railroads
to provide an adequate number of
| cars. Howatt told press representa-
! tives before entering the conference
with the commission. He estimated
| the present output at 65 to 10 per cent
of the maximum capacity.
Up to State Commission.
THE output at this time is prob
| ably SIS per cent of the maximum
| capacity" said Howatt. TT could be
/ boosted the additional 35 per cent if
! the railroads gave us cars I think
! the state commission can regulate the
matter. 1t isn't the federal admin
istrator's province, but a matter strict
! ly in the hands of the state commits
/ sion.''
Concerning the situation in the
| Usage county field, Howatt predicted
early operation of all mines.
! can appeal has been taken from
| the recent order of Mr.. Carey, the
state administrator" said Howatt.
| That matter will come up in WASH
| ington next Monday I expect to be
| there. 1t isn't possible to say just
! what will be done. But 1 believe the
Usage mines will soon be running.
About half of them are open at this
time. I believe the others will re-
sumo work.
Howatt's jurisdiction extends to all
mines in Kansas except the Leaven-
worth county field. Thomas C. Scott,
Weir; and James Orr. Columbus, both
| small operators, came to Topeka with
Howatt. Shortly after o'clock this
| afternoon they were in conference
with Judge c. F. Foley and John
Kinkel, the only members of the COM
mission in Topeka.