The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-12-15
NWASFIINGTON NEWS 4.
GOSSIP . CHARLES ss22zs s1iTa:

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NlAsH1SC ROY, y, G., Gtc. IL
Why The Go2l OPERATOR IN wa VIZ
siniA are up against It" to meet the
payrOlls was explained to tae Housc
u Representatives, ~ r. preventative
Wells Goodykoontz, who halls from
tscbn9reseiDnai district N which there
ne 400 coal operators and many
.housandj coal miners employed.
Only five minutes were allotted 20
the West Virginia member to make
his statement OF condition in the
soal business Of West Virginia, which
Is we'll known there. but which 1t was
syident was news" to the great major
~ in the House. II developed such
interest and so many Interruptions
that his time was extended five nEl
utes.
The following is report OF his
statement:
Mr.. Go6dykoontz. Mr.. Chairman, I
realize the fact that the committee fs
dealing with an important subject, but
1 have one OF more Importance. |
have one that concerns the fuel sup
ply OF the country, one that involves
the delivery CT coal 10 the American
people who are cold and shivering.
The urgency OF the situation jnstl-
fieb me in asking your Kind indul-
gence~f for little while
DR.. GARFIELD. under Executive order
has again as uurd charge of the fuel
proposition. Mr.. Hines, Director Of
Rlilwt;s. who hac Deen acting as the
agent N Or. Garfield. Is transporting
and delivering that coal The ccal Is
being carried all over the country--t)
New England and to the Tar western
Statas-and 1t is being delivered with
cut the knowledge Of the operator, the
producer, as to who is getting it, and
therefore the operator has no oppnr-
tunitv, has had none, to invoice 1t to
the person or corporation to whom II
,Is ultimately delivered. The result Of
lhis is-and am speaking for 400 coal
operators in my district-that the coal
operators are without money wsn
which to meet their payrolls. These
operators have been mll!ng upon the
banks for help. but the hanks have
exhausted their power. having loaned
money until their legal reserve has
leen reached or impaired.
Now | have received within The last
,aw days many kilograms, and one OF
hem | ask permission 10 read. 1t IS
.ddressed 10 me at this city, aud Is as
ollowt:
Wclch, w. Va.
Dec. TO- 1919
Ion. Wells Goodykoon'z,
Washington, D, c.
We have outstanding for coal snip
rants during last week October and
III November S20S, 433"O4 OF this
amount W. have been advised that
k13. 926,02 has been turned over to the
several railroads; $40 9037i has been
diverted to regional committees but
not to final consigDceS; while SlT@,-
563.2S is outstanding on which we
have received. no diversion notice,
neither has it betn delivered to the
1riSina! coNsignee. Payment Of all
htse accounts is due today You can
;ee that we will be unahleNt meet
,ur operating expenses much longer.
Crystal Block Coal Coke CO.,
Central Pocahontds Coal Co..
(signtd) Edward O'Tooe,
These two companies are not Of
large financial lstrenGh. smalH IN
comparison 10 other companies oper-
lting IN the great coal region emhrac-
al in my district They are operat-
in a field that during the strike has
been the salvation Of the country.
MIR. Evans Of Nevada. VIII the gen
tlenian yield?
Mr.. GoodykoontZ. ! will. E.
Mr.. Evans of Nevada. For my in
formation. would like to know why
the operators only produced 80 per
cent OF their capacity tho last sum-
rner.
Mr.. Goodykoontz. The operators in
my district during this period of time
--the time that has elapsed since the
Government last assumed charge
have produced more than 100 per cent
normal capacity and the REASON they
lid not produce coal last summer was
because members OF this body and
certain other men in this country adj
vocated that the consumer should not
buy coal then. They said the plan toI
buy coal was merely a scheme and
dsvice of the operators TO induce, the
people to buy coal that there was not
and would not be any shortage in the
country; and that IL the people wou|AI
wait the price OF coal would 70 down.
On this floor l took occasion to say
that those who gave this advice as
s,ltned a terrible responsibility
! The National Coal Operators Asso1
citation spent $4,000 in newspaper
advertising warming tho public of tho
danger OF delay in laying in their sup
Mr.. Little. Was It the Fuel Admin,
istratIon that recommended that the
people should not put In supply OF
coat last sumner?
Mr.. Goodykodntz No | say 1t was
a; member Of this body along with
others not connected with the Fuel
Administration.
M. Little. ] think, perhaps, the
gentleman may be right about that,
but / think the Fuel Department also
Recommended that.
I Mr.. Goodykoont5. No Every SEN
sible man-eVefy man that had any
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