The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-02
COAL OPERATORS
lcontinued lrom page one!I

foad'b request for that privilege was
denied last week by the Authorities.
Mr.. Bell stated that during the war
the provincial government OF Canada
had a gentlemenss agreement with
The authorities OF this country for
this arrangement, but this ceased to
be inforce ON January 1. These cars
must be counted and accounted for as
all other cars are accounted for.
Assigned cars are illegal under the
new railroad bill which became eff
fective March l, when the railroads
we're turned over to their private
owners for operation. The National
Coal association now has the fight be-
fore the Interstate Commerce COM
mission. and in fact up as high as
President Wilson himself
Value of Organization.
Organization work In detail was
alluded to BY Mr.. Morrow in his adj
dress. He pointed out very conclu-
sively that coal operators as unit
could accomplish much but as indi-
viduals could accomplish little in
these days Of organization and spe-
cialization. Hefdelved into the sub
ject in detail and proved to the salts
faction of his hearers that tits neces-
sary for the coal operators TO organ
ize 100 per cent in every region. At
ter all the regional association is a
feeder to the National association.
y One of the avenues in which the
rational associationSh been factor
I'm Washington, ID. O., was when UNI
flair attacks We're made on the indus
try. II was always able 10 produce
bona fiyle evidence that the attacks
were unwarranted and unfair. This
was especially true in the days just
before the3big bithminous strike. Ac-
tual sale figures were produced that
convinced official Washington that
the reports in circulation were un-
true.
Mr.. Morrow declared every coal
operator should be affiliated with the
association. " Improvements are to
be made one could do so by being in
the membership and extending aid in
this direction.
Federal Reports.
While ON his feet Mr.. Morrow re-
terred to the progress OF the case in
which the coal operators are testing
whether or not the Federal Trade
commission has power to force oper-
ators TO file cost Information. The
court, 1t is Understood, will hand
down an opinion in the case next
week. Mr. Morrow stated that the
commission has promised that no
operator will be prosecuted for fails
ure to return reports until after the
court decided the status of the case.
Attorney Goodwin Speaks.
A peppery address was delivered by
Attorney Charles A. Goodwin, Nor
gantown, who said he was glad to
learn at last that effort was being
made to protect tho legal rights Of
the coal Industry, which he de-
clared has acqiiiesced and almost con-
sented to beSclassed as a. public util-
ty. He thought II was high time for
reverse action
= AT the same time, Attorney Good
win said, while the new wages in
,reases should be covered in the sales
price for coal, by no means did he
think this was the psychological time
20 charge high prices He believed
N a better policy TO wait until the
Lover act ceases to exist Despite the
'act the coal Industry is a hazardous
business and its equipment is good
.or nothing but junk after the coal
aas been removed. Attorney Goodwin