The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-14
COAL OPERATORS
HERE TO DISCUSS
THEIR PROBLEMS
Optimistic Views of Future
of the Coal Trade Are
Enunciated- XXX.

Over ora HUNDRED members Of the
West Virginia Coal Operators asso-
citation Sra meeting today at the Of
fees Of the association in the Jacobs
building, discussing various matters OF
interest to the oTepTating coal trade.
he general meeting was called to or
der at Il O'Clock with G. II. jenkins,
the president. in the chair. Mr.. Jen-
kins made the opening address, in
which be idicated optimistic views CT
the coal trade in the future. He out
lined, IN detail, the workings of the
fuel administration. the activities OF
the National Coal association, the ex-
port situation, the resolutions passed
at the nesting OF the Natiohal Cham
Der Of Commerce at its recent meeting
in Allan III. City, n. J., and others mat
tiers Of interest to operators.
Following Mr. Jenkins address F. J.
Patton, secretary OF the association,
read report in which he showed how
the association had grown rapidly,
mines to an organization with 154 OPP
eratig companies and 22S mines The
; financial report showed that the treas
ury was in healthy state.
A. c. Eeeson. OF the Four States coal
COMPANY. Annabelle, made the report
OF the operating committee, s. D.
Brady. cj.y. made the report OF the
| comitee on transportation, in which
he outlined the Improvements which
the B. ad q. is making here to In
crease efficiency in transportation
problems
RID. Iser. of the West virgiia Coal
and Coke company. EIkins, made a re-
port OF the legislative committee in
the absence of the chairman. In the
minds OK Sone officials, he said, there
is a tendency to endeavor to make the
coal companies pay a production tax,
and double the inspection torces in
the field because of the opening OF a
large number of new mines. he op-
orators are asked to pay for the entire
expense of conducting the department.
OF mines. which at present. Is between
$4,000 AMI $4,000, but whuold be be-
tween $4,000 and 100000 Il it were
doubled
The operators resent this, believing
that II their business needs the in
spection the state should pay the bill
! No other mans business is Inspected,
they contend The operators are pay
| ing their share OF the taxes. In an
state departments 1t is said there is. a
surplus 10DQ- Mr.. 4SuSE DelleVSu LnaI
the state mining laws should be
| amended because IL an operator does
not drain water from the mine he Is
subject to pres ecutiOn, and If he drains
it in stream he is apt to be charged
with pollution.
''DcIe DAN Howard, the dean OF the
Faimont coal region. made the report
of the membership comitee, in which
he showed how the membership had
icreased from 147 to 23S mines. Every
mine in the district should be az
fliated with the association he be-
Iieyed. Activities along this line viii
start next week It US stated by Presi-
dent Jenkins
The meeting then adjourned to
reconvene at 1880 o'clock this after
noon. The labor situation will be
discussed IL detail at this afternoons
session.
Directors of the association met this
morning at 8 O'clock at the Office OF
the association Those present at the
meeting were C.. II. jenkins. city; A.
C. Beeson, Four States: Brooks Elem
ing. city; Dan Howard, Clarksburg;
A G. Waddeu ,Philippi; c. J. Ryan,
(Confinued on PAGE A