The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-01
ASSIGNED CARS
MAY MEET DOOM
N CONFERENCE
Eastern Railroad Men and
Coal Operators Dis
cussing Proposition.
FUEL ADMINISTRATION
Issues a Statement Dealing
With "Cost of Pro-
duction.

An important conference between
Representatives Of eastern railroads
and coal operators began at the audi
torium OF the new Interior Department
building in Washington, D. c., at ele-
ven o'clock this morning and the &C
ton OF the Federal Fuel Administra-
ton regarding railroad fuel most like
" depends upon the agreement reach
Cd by railroads and coal people at
this meeting.
The Central West Virginia operat-
ors Association is well represented at
this gathering. The committee named
to make the trip which left Fairmout
last night includes representatives OF
every big interest in the Fairmont dis
trict. This committee is under in
structions from the operators assoc.
iaton to fight for the discontinuanCe
OF the present method Of specially as
signed cars for fuel "a resolution -
this effect having been passed at a
special meeting OF the association at
which the resolution along the same
line recently adopted by the directors
of the National Coal Association was
endorsed.
Cost of Production.
A. Brooks Fleming. Jr., president
oS the Fairmont Coal Club urged upon
coal operatorS the importance OF get
ting their reports ready for the Fuel
Administration, on cost OF prodUc-
1ion" at the Wednesday meeting. deem
ms this topic as continuing to be in
the first line" The Fuel Administra-
ton has issued the following state
ment:
The regulation Of coal prices by the
EIel Administration is the first at
TEMPT ever made. at least on large
scale. by the United States Govern
1csI7t to fix and establish prices 1c!
any of the great industries. 1t IS very
important to both the public and the
coal industry that the prices so fixed
should be based on accurate intorma
tion as to the conditions prevailing IN
different fields. and that. when once
This information has been received
She right principles should be employ
ed in making use of this Information
The Fuel Administration believes
that it has devised a speedy and &C
curate method for using the cost IN
formation which It has in hand. and
that it has worked out the fundamen'
tai principles which should guide !:
in considering applications for modl
fcations of cal prices.
It is the purpose Of the Fuel Admin
istration to announce decisions on al
appIications for price reT1Slons nov
before it. prior to April 1. 1918. and
prior to that time to make suct
changes in the classification as seem
to he necessary. in order to relieve I'M
certaintv on this score as far as pos
sible before the beginning Of the new
coal year.
Ev this statement. the Fue! Admin
istration does not wish to be under
stood as stating that the examination
of the prices now being made VIII
complete its price work. On the con
trary, the administration viii conttn
ne to collect and study facts retains
to the cost of production OF coal aI NJ,
+I,e nrices at which it is sold. 1t VIII
make such further establishments IRON
time to time as are necessary 10 KEEP
the prices on scale fair to the pup
lie. fair to the coal industry. and SUI
ficfently high to encourage proouc
ton. 1t hopes. also, to take measures
IN the very near future to encourase
and insist upon the use OF less ~ast =,
fil methods OF mining. the sale o.
clean coal. and the more definite rec
ornitfon OF the different qualities OF
coal in the Government prices.
Reports from January and February
show that these months were RECORD
5reakerg as far as inadequate car sup,
DIV is concerned. One half Of the z9O
mines IN the district were Idle oalis
during these months, resulting IN q
loss OF $1,000 tons OF coal per day,
which is at the rate OF sixteen million
tons per year. Weather conditions
are credited with affecting the situa,
ton but F. J. Patton. acting secfe
tsrv Of the Central West Virginia
Coal Operators Asso. points out in q
statement given to the press today
that in addition cars to which the
Monongah division Of the B. & o. vas
actually entitled have been diverted
to other fields. The regional distri'
sutton sheets published by the general
superintendent OF transportation OF
the railroad show that the mine op-
sEators In this region were deprived
81 more than 5000 cars. The state
ment. which is very convincing, goes
On to show that this seriously affected
Continued on Page FouH.1