The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-10-15
Plumb Plan League
By Chas. NJ. Kelley

By Chas NJ. Kelley
Reassuring promises that serious
shortage of coal would soon be re-
placed by plenty are not realized by
the railroads. If there has been
any improvement, thousands of COM
munities throughout the country are
not aware of it.
During the week ending Sept. 25
bituminous coal production equalled
all previous high records. Efforts
are being made to increase the week
ly output to 100000 which will
be new high record. But some
thing more than increased energy
on the part of the miners is needed
to correct conditions. If the rail-
roads do not transport fuel, many
communities will be cold few weeks
hence, when winter will make its ex-
traordinary demand for fuel.
In the larger centers dealers will
not accept orders for coal and neither
that they are absolutely unable to
determine what can be done for con-
sumers. Coal is being doled to them
in small and inadequate quantities,
and for every ton received there are
dozens of orders that cannot be filled.
When the railroads received auth
orlZation to increase rates about
81 500, 100000 per year, there was
an almost immediate subsistence of
discussion in the newspapers con-
corning shortage of cars and the fear
of fuel panic. The inference is
that the railroads were responsible
for the propaganda, seeking thereby
to arouse the public to the imminence
of danger and making it easier to
secure rate increase that is with
out parallel in the history of this
nation.
But because the newspapers have
dismissed the subject does not in
any measure mitigate it's continued
gravity. Unless something on a
large scale is attempted at once large
sections of the country will be with
out fuel and the nations industry
will get the reflection, because what
little coal is available must be given
to consumers if the population is not
to freeze.
During Federal operation of the
railroads the nations needs were met
and IN addition an unprecedented
quantity of fuel was sent to Europe
to meet the war emergency. Since
the return of the railroads to private
control priorities have been estab-
lished in favor of coal, and still the
roads are unable to make distribution
that will avert a very serious sit
uation.
Representatives of shippers inform
ed the Interstate Commerce Com
mission that additional income would
not solve the nations transportation
problems. Something more is need
ed. Until the managers of the rail
ways re-establish the regulations of
the government and make an earn
est attempt to serve the people, there
Will be no real or permanent relief
The railroads are on trial, and when
winter and it's chilling winds arrive
with empty coal bins the popular
decision will be that private manage
ment has been weighed and found
wanting.
Government Without Discretion.
Alfred P. Thorn, representative of
t"t'"oJ SASNdCiNSoy IOlu
officials of the treasury department
that they are without discretion in
the distribution of the 100000, 900
revolving fund" established by the
Cummins-Esch bill. When railroads
ask for funds, they must be granted,
for that, Mr.. Thorn contends, is the
plain intent of the transportation
act.
Secretary Houston has taken the
position that if the railroads can
finance their needs the government
is not required to provide funds. Mr..
Thorn takes the opposite view Even
if the railroads can get money from
private investors, if an interest rate
higher than six per cent is demanded
the roads may come to the govern
ment for relief and the government
must Immediately give it, whether or
not the officials believe the managers
have not made an earnest effort to
finance their needs.
The attitude of Mr.. Thorn is typi-
cal of the viewpoint of railway man
ayers. They Jared so generously in