The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-01-11
FA|RNONT REGION.
OPERATORS N on.
MOVEMENT
Expected That It Will Con-
stitute An Important
Outlet.
|PRIGES HOLDING HERE
Railroads Believed To Be
Trying 10 Cut
Them.

y II Z
No break has been apparent In the
coal price in the Fsirmont region up
until today, despite rumors to the con.
trary. Propaganda 10 spread to the ef-
feet that the price has dropped. but no
price slashing can be located upon
investigation.
Effort on the part Of some buyers
to beat down the price Of coal has not
been successful. Operators as indi-
yiduals feel that the high cost OF pro-
duction OF coal does not warrant q
come down In the price and the gen,
eral impression Is that nothing OF the
kind will result at this time. Soon an
influx Of European trade and South
American business will bridge over
any expected chasm IN the business.
Buyers said to be railroad men, are
trying the minute wise and hour
foolish" plan Of beating down the
price of coal, which, II successful, ulti.
mately would operate as boomerang
because q depression in the coal bust.
ness would mean q slump in the rail-
road transportation. which would re-
suit in a lessening OF railroad crews
and probably q lowering Of wages.
Every one realizes that the coal trade
Is a barometer Of business and what
Injuries It naturally affects railroad.
ing.
Big Prospects No Myth.
Enthusiasts Of the export trade not
only have confidence in the future
markets, but have reached a point
where theyare about to realize the be-
ginning OF a big business boost In the
coal business. Nd DftSaput on tie
market" Is apparent because Afgen.
tine Republic can use all of the sur
plus coal Of America alone to say moth
ing OF the business In Cuba, Peru and
Brazil and other South American coun-
tries. These countries have been cut
off from the natural coal supply Of Eu-
rope an dAmerica since the war has
been on and with no production there
must depend on relief by export trade.
National Tradesmen Busy.
Right along this line the coal men
who attended the recent meeting Of
the National Coal Association in
Washington, D. g., hav recommended
a plan to form q pooling proposition,
whereby these countries coal needs
may be looked after. The plan Is one
that is taken up as individuals and
eac hcoal tradesman will take. care OF
his own sales, collections and boats.
but the entire proposition will be con-
Quoted under the direction of q new
organization, which will be incorporat-
ed In New York city within a few days.
Some Local interest.
The export business IL is believed
will interest probably twelve or flt-
teen big operations In the Fairmont re-
gion and coal operators In pittsburgh,
tGreensburg, practically all Of those
OF the New River and Pocahontas re-
gions and probabl ythe splint and, gas
operators Of the Southern part Of the
state OF West Virginia. The move
ment has gained. such momentum that
plans are being made to procure Eng
lish boats to handle this trade. Just
as soon as license is secured, that is,
the war board In; this country and the
international war board, approves OF
the plan, the business will 80 forward.
The war boards approve only ship
ments that do not 60 to the enemy
countries OF America and our allies or
to countries from which It might be
transferred easily to our enemies
across the sea.
A uniform cost system is being
worked out BY the coal trade IN con-
Continued on Page Eight)