Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-07

zones for the distribution Of coal
from various fields.
Meanwhile the railroads we're
purchasing coal under contracts
made April /, 1917. at prices con-
siderably lower that those fixed by
the government and controlling
the purchases by, theegeneral pub
lie.
When these contracts expired,
March 81, 1918, railroads refused
to make new contracts based on
the governments prices and, In the
case of several Iowa lines, dis
regarded the coming rules to bring
Illinois coal into Iowa
AS a result OF their refusal to
buy Iowa coal several Iowa mines
have been closed since March 81.
Others have been reopened recent
ly along the lines Of the Burning
ton road, that company having
placed orders in accordance with
Administrator Garfield's price rul-
ings after the latter had been up
held by President Wilson.
The presidents action approving
Administrator Garfield's uniform
price plan was taken informally to
settle a dispute between DR.. Gar
field and John Shelton Williams,
Railroad Director McAdoo's chief
assistant, who contended. as did
MIR. McAdoo, that the railroads
should be permitted to buy their
coal at the old prices, regardless
of the figures governing the gen.
eral public.
Since the president acted there
has been no formal announcement
from any government source to
confirm his informal ruling or to
order the railroads to place coal
contracts which would allow the
mines to reopen. Meanwhile, sew
eral Iowa mines are idle, workmen
are leaving the state and the pros
poets for coal famine next winter
are becoming increasingly serious.
The Milwaukee railroad, admit
ting the seriousness Of the condi-
ton offers to alleviate 1t by buying
Iowa coal at the prices which pre-
vailed up to April l but makes no
move to comply with the fuel ad-
ministrator's order nor to respect
the presidents approval OF that
order.
Railroad Director McAdoo, who
also Is secretary of the treasury
and head of the Liberty Loan cam
paign, has been away from Wash
ington since the difference be-
tween his department and that OF
DR.. Garfield arose. The impression
is abroad that his strenuous OBJ
jections to the attitude President
Wilson took on the question are
responsible for the absence OF a
formal ruling to compel the rail-
roads to obey the fuel administrar
tion's rules.
If the railroads were not under gov
control 1t would not b
TRANCE to find them strainfng ever
fort to avoid compliance with tn
oal price order. For many years the,
ave enjoyed the benefit Of coal price
o low that they denied a profit to tn
roducers and compelled the public t
1ake up the coal operators loss b.
aging extra large profits on its shar
But the railroads are under the d
ection of the president, who has dele
ated that portion OF his executive
over to Secretary McAdoO just as n
as delegated the power over coal dis
to Administrators Garfield
'hus the country sees one department
( the government refusing to ODE,
he orders issued by another depart
,ent, even when those orders hev
cen approved by the president, who 4
he head of both departments.
The railroad administration not onl,
] defying the coal administration an,
he president, but 1t is contributing t
disregard of the vitality important de
nand for the early purchase and stol
ng Of coal,this spring and summer TO
se in avoiding a coal famine mex
winter.
Already many of Iowa's coal mine
ave lost a whole month through idle
Less. They have lost more, becaus
many miners have left the state and
viii be impossible to operate some o
he mines to capacity even when OF
ers may be placed.
How long this dangersous condition
vill be permitted to continue is a prof.
EN- which, apparently. only Presiden
wilson can answer. Railroad official
and somewhat confidently
,redict that when Mr.. McAdoo return
D Washington he will induce Presden
wilson to reverse his former opinion o
Modify It in favor Of the railroad ad
Mr.. McAdoo is said to have his ey
ixed on the presidential nomination
Should he make financial usccess @
abroad administration during the wa
le would have strong argument t
upport his candidacy, no doubt. Blu
( he makes that record at the expens
Il the public and the ,nation-if h
lastens a coal famine which now al
,ears to be inevitable-the nation
var program must suffer and tn
Whole country must face hardship
,ext winter far greater than thos
which accompanied last winters Goa
'hortage.
Iowa and the whole nation ar
italy interested in an early and fai
Iolutjon of the difficulty. 1t Is @