Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-06-27
WHAT COAL INVESTIGATION
UNEARTHED IN INDIANA


(Report of Public Service Commits
sion Hearing Published in Municipal
Journal)
The situation, already serious, will
become much worse unless the present
coal control methods are changed. Tbs
testimony, bOtn al u.rect admissions
and by its universal trend, reveals that
an unchecked law OF supply and de-
mand" is the only law now known in
the coal supply in this state, and that
it is being administered with concerted
action on the basis ut charging all the
traffic will bear. ,
The operation of this law is, in war
times such as this, always in the hands
Of the few who contro' the supply at
the mines and it's local distribution. It's
operation has become especially vicious,
inimical and dangerous to puDlic well
fare under such conditions as the war
has produced in Indiana.
While many coul mine operators and
contractors are living up to contracts to
supply coal, many others have disre-
garded such contracts. Evidence pro-
duced in the statewide inquiry indi-
Gates that some operators and contrac-
tors have reported to people or firms
v it'll whom they had contracts that
ttey could not deliver coal to them
because Of inability to get coal cars,
but have at the same time, sold coal
of the same kind and given prompt de-
livery to those who paid the high prices
demanded in the open market. The OPP
orators, contractors and jobbers have
lately adopted a fixed policy of max
ing no contracts" with any except rail-
roads. This leaves their 4coal to sell on
the high open market.
In our hearing, at which the opera
tors appeared, these two facts were es-
ia blished: % that there is plenty of
coal in Indiana to be mined; ca that
there is labor available to mine it.
The operators testified that possibly
as many as twentyfiv new big mines
are being opened now in this state.
They insisted that, at the time OF the
hearing, they were unable, and had
been unable, to get coal cars to load
more than so per cent Of the time. I'm
der conditions of mining in Indiana this
lack of cars at the mines results in the
mines themselves being shut down.
This condition, as q result of our con-
ference with the railroad managers. is
being rapidly changed. We are pleased
to report that the response to our in
vitation by all the carriers of the state
was hearty and cordial We expect thru
theSe ORIGINATING agencies to be
able to prevent the movement of mo-
tive power and cars from this district,
Id - -
err districts: we expect to be able To
expedite the movement, at concentra-
ton and interchanging points. Of cars
loaded with coal or, returning empty
and to shorten some routes Of move
ment and to divert, from a carrier to
some other carrier, traffic which it Is
not able to handle, when its business
is congested.
The state wide investigation dcvel-
oped beyond all controversy, against
the assertion that the mines were be-
ing kept closed down most or part Of
the time because Of lack Of coal cars
fact that coal was always to be had,
and on quick delivery, If the prices de-
manded were paid.
In our hearing at which the opera
tors appeared these two further essen
tial points were made Of record: O
Officers Of the operators association.
and operators themselves, asserted that
the average cost Of mining coal in In
diana at this time is $1.4s ton. This,
they testified, includes the recent ad-
vance in wages granted to the miners
and all other expenses, including rea :
sonable depletion, depreciation. liabll-
tiles, capital charges etc; ca the rail-
road companies have made contracts
with certain Indiana operators located
on their several lines, for coal at $1a
! to $40 a ton; the railroads, however,
to furnish full working time supply 9!
coal cars. The operators evaded an
swering, or denied ability to answer. all
qustions as to what would be fair
profit a ton for them. over and above
all expenses. which are covered by
the s1.4s. 1t is difficult on any basis
Of justice or reasoning to reconcile
with these figures the $3.50, $2.T6, 49,
$3.50 ::ss.:;ss c-!ces .hs. have been ciIars
ed at the mines for coal inferior tt
those that the railroads demand for
their locomotives, to say nothing of the
81 to IS prices that have been charged
public utilities, manufacturers and 9th
ers who were in dire distress.
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