The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-25
Are Doing Their Level Best
TO Help Win the
War.
INTERESTED IN BIG ASS0.
Will Dissolve Their Local
Organization And All
Join 1t.

Special Dispatch to West ,rginian)
BCCKHANNON, W. ". July 20
L. d. Baker, president of the Buckhan-
non.Tygart's Valley Coal Operators
association, who has been prominent
in connection with the working out Of
he many vexing problems which have
.onfronted coal operators in northern
Vest Virginia. has mines eight miles
from here which are known as the
French Creek Fuel company
Il was greatly inspired by the talks
Of MeSsrs. Morrow, Neale, Galloway
and others at the mass meeting OF coal
operators held at the Fairmont GOun-
try club July r." he said last night,
and am satisfied that when the seri-
business of the situation is recognized
by miners and coal operators general
~ the output of coal will be still fur
;her increased where such a thing is
possible
81 find that members OF the Buck
hannon-Tygarts Valley Coal Opera
Tors association with whom ! dis
cussed the matter prior to the Fair
mont meeting and since that time are
very enthusiastic regarding the North
ern West Virginia Coal Operators as
sociation, the organization OF which Is
now being perfected he continued,
"and we are so certain that the broad
err and bigger organization is going to
fill the wants that there is already un-
der way movement looking 10 the
dissolution of our local association.
The operators in this section intend
10 give their undivided support TO the
new organization"
1.-THE Coal operators Of this portion
OF West Virginia have set their heart
on getting out more coal and winning
.he war. The miners are equally en-
thusiastic in this regard. There seems
to be perfect harmony from the miner
right up the scale TO DR.. Garfield, in
GLIDING bosses. superintendent. man.
ayers, inspectors and operators"
"Upshur county coal development
began about eighteen months age"
continued MIR. Baker when questioned.
THE Pittsburgh, Redstone and Free
port veins are being operated in this
county. There is little new develop
ment under way at this time owing TO
the inability to get sidings but there
will be a great deal OF development
when conditions once again favor
such a course"
"The great drawback at this time is
the scarcity OF labor. The coal mines
are not the only sufferers. The lum-
Der mills are only operating about half
Of their plants at this time and there
is no industrial line in this section
which has a surplus OF labor or any
thing like It,"
Mr. Bakers mine is on the Coal and
Coke railroad and the Freeport vein
is being operated. The nearest mine
to Buckhannon is the Red Rock Fuel
company, five miles out on the Balti'
more and Ohio, OF which George De-
Bolt. of Fairmont, is the moving spirit.
There is quite a bit OF coal in Up
shur county which has not yet been
disposed OF. There are big acreages
in the vicinity Of Buckhannon owned
by the Posts. Maxwells, Hefners and
Leonards. while there is quite block
around Alexander in the southern end
OF the county and various lumber COM
panies have big holdings. Coal land
is bringing $3.50 to $500 an acre for
the Redstone vein.
The Buckhannon-Tygarts' Valley
Coal Operators association has forty
two members and was organized jan
uary l last. E. D. Baker is president
and James f. Shinn, formerly Of Fair
mont. is secretary. The membership
covered. Upshur. Barbour, Lewis and
Randolph counties.