Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-15
Committee ExOnerateS State
and National Fuel Admins
tratiOnS, Railroads and Deal
erS, Makes Recommendation

~ ''iSAiNOO llSIl
The report Of the executive commit
| tee of the state council of defense on
| the coal investigation it has been carry
ing. on for the past three days at the
state capitol, follows in full:
| The executive committee of the Geor-
\ g1a council of defense, because of the
acute fuel situation that for some time
| has existed. in this state, and because of
very grave and serious charges brought
! to the attention of the govern through
resolution passed at a meeting of citi-
zens of the city of Atlanta, deemed it
| proper to make inquiry into conditions,
for the purpose of ascertaining what, if
anything. could be done for relief, and
to give the public as full and accurate
| Information as possible.
This committee now submits the fol-
| lowing:
THE coal shortage obtaining in the
United States for some months will in
our opinion, continue throughout the
winter. 1t is unnecessary to set forth
or discuss the several factors contribut-
| ing to this shortage.
Georgia has probably Jared no worse
than any other state, and certainly no
better.
Puel Administration AbsoIved
I'VE see no occasion to cenSure the
national fuel administration, so far as
Georgia is concerned, believing that
they have done as well under the abb
normal situation with which they have
dealt as could be expected
while there is no fact within our
knowledge indicating conclusively that
our state has been Disseminated
against, we find. however, that the ma
tiOnal administration has diverted in
one or more instances, large quantities
of coal from Georgia to other sections,
without due regard to our needs as it
appears from facts within our knowl-
edge, but we have not obtained, and can
not now obtain, the. information upon
which such action was based. and which
may have fully justified this course.
Hence in all fairness to those labor
ing in the interests of the people of
the United States, this committee an
nounces the aforesaid conclusion as its
judgment.
THE offices of this council, in CO.
operation with the state fuel admins
traitor, will be used to insure against
such occurrences in the future if here
after such be found on further inquiry,
to be Immediately made, were in any
way discriminatory against Georgia
The fuel administration within the
state has been fairly handled, and is
not subject, in our opinion, to censure
by any person familiar with the alb
normal conditions.
ION the other hand, while admitting
that the administration has not been
perfect Ga fact conceded by those di-
recting the work., this council is pleas
ed to report that there is no founda-
ton for any suggestion of censure be-
cause OF a lack OF attention, or honesty
of purpose, on the part of those who
have been, with absolute fidelity, I'M
dertaking to serve the people.
Collision Charge Untrue
This committee investigated as fully
and in as much detail as could reason
ably be expected, the charges brought
to the attention OF the governor through
the medium of the resolution to which
reference has been made.
1T is the opinion OF this committee
that the charge of collision brought
against the railroad employees and the
coal dealers in the city of Atlanta is
untrue.
zone with knowledge of the methods
used by transportation companies IN
handling not only coal, but all COM
modities carried by them, would readily
understand that this charge Is without
foundation.
San inperfect understanding of the
business of the railroads, coupled with
suspicion, occasiOned by many unbound
ed rumors, accounts for the charge or
collision.
The committee deems il a duty to
saw. after investigation, that the railroad
men not only were not guilty of any or
the imputations brought against them,
but are deserving of communication Tor
the earnestness with which they have
sought to serve the public in this emer-
sency. There is undoubtedly insuffi-
cient motive power which renders 1t
impossible to move coal and other
freight as expeditiously as is desirable
The condition brought about by the
lack of such motive power is aggra-
waited and intensified by several factors,
chief among which is the unusual de-
mand made by the United States gov
eminent for the movement of it's troops
and supplies, which is particularly heavy
in this section of the country, where
over a third of the cantonmentS and
camps are located
THE coal men, in our opinion. were
not only not guilty of undertaking to
have coal held out on sidetracks, but
were making every reasonable effort to
have coal delivered to them. There
would be little reason for ordering coal
from the mines, where it could remain
without expense to the dealer, loading
into cars, at which time, presumably,
they would have to pay the mining COM
pany, and thereby Withdrawing at
heavy demurrage TO the dealer such cars
at time when they are greatly needed
by the companies for the handling of
other commodities.
The charges embodied in the resolu-
ton, to the effect that the federal laws
with reference to the handling of coal
were being violated, and favoritism
shown, by dealers In this city in the
handling Of coal were not wholly with
out foundation; though the committee
are OF the opinion that if such over
charges were made, there were compar-
atively very few instances OF such, and
while it may be that some dealers have
been conducting their businesses in vio-
lation Of the law and rules Of the Fuel
Administration, the evidence presented
was not conclusive, and the opinion of
the committee is that the large major
ity Of the dealers were making an earn
est and honest effort to serve the peo-
pie in conformity with the law and
regulations as they understood them
The Committee is or the opinion that