The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-24
GDAL OPERATORS.
INFECT TO GOVT.
CONTROL Of TRADE
They Believe Worst Stage
Of Reconstruction Per-
iod Has Passed.
new EXPORT PROSPECTS
Latest Statistics and News
Of the Fairmont
Region.
NEW EXPORT PROSPECTS.

eociation went on record yesterday
afternoon at their meeting in Cleve-
land, o. SIS being opposed to the plan
of the government, supervision. This
was q proposition that DR.. II. A. Gar
field, federal fuel administrator, put
up to the coal men for consideration
and 1t has been under discussion for
some weeks.
The conoensus of opinion was that
J the coal operators desired to retain
cole direction Of their business. The
plan was to have government super
vision during the reconstruction per-
iod.
The coal business is expected to re-
turn with splendid market IN the
fall and operators are beginning to
believe that the worst has already
passed.
Complete plans were made for the
program, OF the annual meeting of The
National Coal Association, which will
open in Chicago on May 81. DR.. III. A.
Garfield will be the chief coal man on
the program.
Railroad Fuel.
Announcement. was made from the
Office Of the chief clerk, Monongah
division of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road Company at Grafton today that
hereafter detailed figures as TO the
shipmen. OF railroad fuel on the divis-
ion would be withheld. 1t Is undera
stood that the order was given by
II. B. Voorhees,, Baltimore, general
manager OF transportation. The fig
ures were received with interest by
coal operators of the Fairmont region
: which represents an unusual tonnage
cf 25,000,000 tons, largely shippers ov-
er the B. & o.
Yesterdays railroad fuel totaled 1874
cars. The B. & o. ordered SO cars.
This is three cars less than Tuesday
and two cars less than on Monday. All
other railroad fuel totaled 95 loads.
This Is 1874 loads less railroad fuel
other than B. & o. than on Tuesday,
hut ten leads more than on Monday.
Lake Prospects.
Already there have been some ac.
tivities In lake business according TO
&c. II. Jenkins, president Of the North
'aern West Virginia Coal Operators
Association, who returned last even
ing from Cleveland, o. The business
that Is on however at this time ap-
pears to be that which has an interest
between coal operators and the dock
interests. Prices appear to be unfix-
ed. It is understood that there are
2,564,000 tons Of coal on the docks
alchg Lake Superior. which Will be
utilized by August, although this will
not permit orders to be placed for the
coal right now in these SECTIONS.
Foreign Trade Soon,
A conference participated in by Of
ficials representing nine branches Of
the United States government in Wash
ington, D. c., recently decided that
4 the most eapedient thing TO restore
normal conditions Is for Inc govern
ment to get back Of the coal industry.
The conference was held at the d.
reetion Of President Wilson who is
across the waters, and the sessions
u were of an executive nature. The con
census OF opinion was that the first
thing to do would be to get back of
the export trade.
- Hon. Vance Mccormick was COM
! nNnicated with in Paris and asked to
get in touch with the Italian govern
mSnt. I'm the meantime Naly's stand
s at che peace tabh may mean that coal
supply to that country may be cut off
Il italy bolts the peace conference.
South America is also badly in need
OF coal. DIR. II. A. Garfield, former
federal fuel administrator Is largely
responsible for coal being taken up as
the first item ON the reconstruction
program. According to reports one
half Of the soft coal miners in the
/ country are out Of work right now.
Tho old committee of The National
/ Coal Association. which was appoint
cd some months ago to stimulate for
esgn business, but which threw up the
ghost with the thousand and one OBJ
stacles that confronted 1t, has been
retained and started anew in their
work. With the government request
TO get busy there should be something
accomplished this time.
Yestfrday's Loading.
There were 537 cars OF coal loaded
ON the Monongah division Of the Bal
tamcre and Ohio railroad yesterday.
No coke was loaded yesterday.
There we're s unconsigned cars yes.
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