Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-31
,al cars to mines without discrimina-

ton, but the price has been under dis
cussion so long that production has
suffered materially. Today the mines
of the country are operating far below
their normal production capacity in
the face Of the fact that the United
States cannot avoid serious coal
shortage next winter.
The average householder, represent
alive OF the general public, buys from
twelve to twenty tons of coal in
year. The reduction in price will
mean reduction of 81 or 81 in his
coal bill for the coming winter. The
amount he saves as a result Of this
order will not pay for one visit to his
home by a physician in the event Of
illness in his family as a result OF his
failure or inability to buy coal and
keep his home warm.
Some millions of dollars are saved
to the railroads OF the country by the
reduction. This saving will increase
the profits of some lines and decrease
the deficits of others. 1t will operate
to reduce the sum which the United
States must pay from its treasury to
make good its guarantee Of a proper
return on railroad securities and
stocks while the lines are under fed
eral supervision.
On its face this means measure Of
economy in the interest Of the general
public which would be compelled to
make up the extra sum through taxes
or increased freight rates had the
price not been lowered. But 1t can be
counted an economy only II coal
shortage is prevented. II the country
must undergo an experience like that
of last winter tho general public will
realize loss far greater than the saw
ing represented by 10 cents a ton on
all the coal produced and used during
the year.
The history of the governments
handling of the coal situation has not
been one to inspire confidence In the
prospect for its continuation when
normal conditions shall have been re-
stored after the war. Prices have been
changed so frequently, raised and low
cred in turn, that the public Is kept
In uncertainty regarding future modi-
fications. This results In failure on the
part of many coal users to purchase
fuel in advance of cold weather,
and because production OF coal
merely keeps pace with demand.
hundreds of millions Of tons
measure the difference between actual
production of Americas mines this
year and their maximum capacity.
DR.. Garfield has made a conscien.
tious effort to learn everything about
the business and industry of mining,
marketing and distributing coal In
less than a year. He is an able man
and has learned much, but his know
ledge Of the coal business today does
not compare fayorably with that pos
sessed by any one Of thousands OF
men who have made that business
their life work. He has made many
mistakes Of judgment, fact which he
admits.
But his greatest error is in permit
ting himself to be over-ruled and domi-
mated by Secretary McAdoo as direc-
tor general Of railroads 1t Is the diff
ference between them, arising over
the price to be charged railroads for
coal, which Is responsible for the loss
of coal production in the country this
summer. It is this same controversy
which, at bottom, will be responsible
for whatever coal shortage develops
next winter.
In view OF Mr.. McAdoo's activities
regarding railroad taxes it is not un-
reasonable to conclude that he Is CIV
ing much thought to the balance sheet
which will show the financial results
Of his management OF the railroads:
He desires to hold the expenses OF
operation to the lowest possible fig-
ure meanwhile increasing freight and
passenger rates % per cent and 20
per cent respectively, to assure the
railroads Of a revenue that will COM
pare favorably with their outlay
Thus far he is entirely within his
rights and duty. But it is OF record
that he sought to obtain price for
railroad coal lower than the price to
be paid by the general public, after
President Wilson had disapproved OF
such discrimination on general prin-
ciples and after Administrator Gar
field had disapproved of 1t specifical-
". The railroads, taking their cue
from Mr.. McAdoo, refused to buy coal
at DR.. Garfieid's prices and hundreds
of mines were closed for weeks as
result.
Then the railroads placed contracts
contingent Ol AS'Ah'iS'A -
the prices, apparently secure In the
belief that Secretary McAdoo would
be able to upset the Garfield sched-
ules. This was after President Wilson
practically had approved the Garfield
prices and had said the railroads must
abide by the fuel administrations
rules.
Meanwhile Dr. Garfield indicated
his belief in the fairness of the exist
ing prices by his telegram to Fuel Ad-
ministrator Webster in which he de-
clared no further revision of Iowa coal
prices was contemplated. That was a
few weeks ago, after President Wilson
had decided in the fuel --administra-
tors favor in his controversy with the
railroad director.
But Secretary McAdoo returned to
Washington after an absence OF sew
eral weeks on Liberty Loan speak
ing tour. He took up the controversy
with DIR. Garfield where he had
dropped it to start on his trip. The
result of his activities is the 10-cent
reduction which has just been an
nounced He was unable to obtain a