The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-25
PLAN TO ASK
LOWER RATES
ON Ignite
Railway Commissioners
and Fuel Administrators
Will Meet in Fargo
WILL CONFER AT
WALDORF TUESDAY
South Dakota and Mime
sofa Are Lending Co
operation to Move

Railway commissioners OF Min
nesota, North ana South Dakota,
representatives Of the fuel admins
trations Of these three states. Ignite
producers OF North and South Da-
kota and traffic officials OF the
Northern Pacific, Great Northern,
500 line, Milwaukee fine and the
Chicago & Northwestern will as
semble in Fargo for a conference TO
be held Tuesday to determine the
advisability Of making joint applica-
ton to the interstate commerce COM
mission for more favorable rates on
Ignite from North Dakota to South
Dakota and Minnesota points.
The conference was called by the
North Dakota railway commission,
after consultation with the commits
sion OF South Dakota and Mime
sofa, which expressed themselves as
favOrably disposed toward better
Ignite rates, in view of the fact that
the northwest during the coming fuel
year may be required to rely very
largely on this fuel. An informal
meeting Of the railway commits
sioners is being held at the Waldorf
hotel this afternoon, and a pro-
gram which the rail boards will sug-
gest at the general conference to-
morrow Is being formulated.
Old Rates Revoked.
A few years ago the 500 line had
in effect from Kenmare and Wilton
Ignite mining districts a through
rate of 50 to the twin cities. The
rate was withdrawn when 1t was
found that it resulted in the move
ment Of little new business. Ignite
then was an unknown commodity to
the greater part of North Dakota,
and a mystery to people on the other
side Of the Red river. Today the
value Of Ignite has become gem
orally appreciated throughout North
Dakota, while Minnesota cities as far
east as Staples have taken ad-
vantage of reduced through rates
inaugurated by the Northern Pacific
in 1917, and have learned to use
Ignite.
Ignite coal prices as regulated at
the mines by the United States fuel
administration are $3.50 for selected
lump sizes, with gradually diminish
ing prices for run-of- the mine and
slack. At prevailing prices, under
the old 81 through rate to Minnea-
polls and ST. Paul, stove and furnace
quality ignite could be laid down in
the twin cities at $3.50 the ton, which
is considerably cheaper than the
poorest grades of Illinois, indiana
and Iowa bituminous can be had.
Many New Mines.
Stimulated by the prospect Of an
increased consumption of Ignite,
production in North Dakota out
stripped the demand, and while Min
nesota shiyered and shirked on heat |
less Mondays, North Dakota Ignite |
mines were forced to shut down for |
4 -
office has Just completed a survey OF |
the Ignite industry which, owing TO |
the many new mines in operation, |
consumed a fun month more than the |
same task did two years ago, when |
the total production for the state was |
about a half million tons.
Representatives of the North Da- |
kota Ignite Producers association
who are here for the conference as |
sert there is no question as to the |
mines ability to take care Of an In
creased demand from South Dakota
and Minnesota. South Dakota has
a few producing Ignite mines, but
their output is insignificant, and but
for a. loan of anthracite from North
Dakota. the sister state to the south
would have suffered during the past
winter. South Dakota would draw
on 500 line and Milwaukee line
mining fields largely, while every
railway crossing the border into
Minneapolis would have a dozen or
more active mining districts to draw |
upon. The largest Ignite mine in |
North Dakota, the Washburn Ignite, |
at Wilton, is located on both the 500
line and the Northern Pacific. Large |
mining properties are located on the |
Northern Pacific west Of the river,
al
Wilton to the northern state line, /
and on the Great Northern from Mi
not west There are scores or
places where with little or no ex-
pense new mines could be opened by
stripping and operated most econ
omically with steam shovels at a
trifling cost per ton.