Greenwood daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1919-1926, 1920-03-24
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* WASHINGTON
= NEWS LETTER
By The Washington Star
Copyright 1920.
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| tied States for years finally is to be
tackled in constructive way by the
| Senate. Three bills just introduced
| by Senator Frelinghuysen cf New Jer-
sey, chairman of subcommittee of
the Senate interstate commerce COM
mittee which has been studying the
in and outs of the coal industry for
many months, if enacted into law, will
| go far toward preventing distressing
coal shortages such as have been ex-
perienced this winter, it is believed
The first of these bills terminates
federal control of the coal and coke in
dustries still existing under the oper-
alton of the food and fuel control act
of war times.
A second bill provides for the ap-
pointment of federal coal commits
sioner, with principal Offices in Wash
ington. The duties of the coal COM
missioner are to include the investi-
cation of the organization, manage
orators in coal with reference to
costs, profits and distributions; the in
vestigation of wages and working con-
ditions, terms of employment and liv-
ing expenses of the miners and other
workmen employed; the investigation
of methods and processes for the stor-
age of coal, the compilation of all
data obtained so as to be in shape for
immediate reference. These investi-
cations are to be made from time to
time, so that the data shall be up-t to-
date.
The third bill amends the interstate
commerce act so as to provide that
during the period from April 1 to Au-
gust 81, inclusive, in each year, no
railroad shall receive more nor less
that 85 per cent of the scheduled rate
in effect for carrying coal on the date
of shipment. During the remainder
of the year, however, the railroads are
to charge lis per cent of the sched-
uled rates for carrying coal.
The last bill is intended to deal with
the chief problem that has confronted
the coal industry of the country for
many years-the seasonal demand for
coal. In the fall and winter the de-
mands for coal are so heavy that,
e when blizzard or a coal strike comes
n along, it is impossible to supply the
demands, thereby causing mt ut
a fering to the people and injury to the
|, industries of the country.
S The establishment of the proposed
e preferential rate for the shipment of
S coal during the spring and summer
o would, it is believed will be effective
l, incausing the consumers of coal to
e purchase when they could get the ben
: eft of these lower rates. At pres
ent the great majority of persons anc
concerns buy coal only as they need it
If this result should be obtained
the railroads would be able handle the
coal much more easily, since they
Il would be asked to distribute it more
\ evenly throughout the year. Under
the present circumstances they are
compelled to have very large mum
, Der of coal cars to meet the seasona
demand Many of these cars are mo-
needed in the seasons when the Goa
is not moving. 1t has been estima
ted that the roads will need 100, ,OO(
new coal cars to handle properly th'
c. seasonal demand during the coming
a. winter. The roads might be spared
3, this expense at time when they nee'
n, every dollar.
to The proposed law also would ten
R. to stabilize the prices of coal. Il
a. MANY cases today the coal mines wor
We intermittently, meeting the demand
es for coal as they come. If there shoul
n he steady demand and continuous oI
Grafton of the mnies, the costs
n maintaining an organization could
ey equally distributed and the loss no'
es due to maintaining an organlzatlo
nd when the plan is not producing woul
be eliminated.
he One of the principal causes Of con
lr- plant by the coal miners is that the
'e- do not have continuous employment
ng but are frequently laid off on accou1
90 of the mines shutting down. tt
"a mines shut down when there is lac
ng of orders of coal cars. Under II
ny plan proposed, it is hoped that the O
If ders will be distributed througho'
5. the YEAR. so this cause OF unre
es- among the miners may be done aws
with.
MP From August to September l,
IN is pointed out, consumers OF bltun
lat nous and anthracite coal using appr
a ximately 5OO,OO0,OOO tons year, tt
are greater part of which is purchas'
during the winter months, will th'
have an opportunity of purchaslr
to coal at a less cost. This plan will p
A into use some 25O,00O coal cars viii
a are tied up during the summer mont
OK at a time when the coal can be NOV
vas efficiently and the railroads are
contested.
If the coal mines are operated
on DAYS a year, with the same number
ntn miners, it has been estimated tn
ex- some 800, 900 900 tons can be prodt