The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-04-19

fm the week Of March u the loss on that account va.
$50 per cent But significant of deliberate discrir
nation against this region the part Of the railroads
the showing that the los due to lack Of cans IN he Pan
handle seiOn was but 80 per cent for The week Of March
20 and 40 pr cent for the following week The Cmber.
andP region lost 81 per cent during the week oi
March 20 and only ID per cent the week Of March III
In the Pittsburgh region the loss the FIRST week was 81 pc.
cent and for the second week 81 per cent
Now this Is matter which interests every one IN thi.
whole ual field When the mines do not work because
the railroads prefer to send the cars to some other region
ten merchants and the other business men Of Fairmont
Carsbwg. Grafton. Morganown and the smaller town.
lose business and they therefore should be not only willing
but ANXIOUS 10 JOIN with thee coal operators m movement
to have the Interstate Commerce commission compel the
railroads to give the mines this mountain coal region
squafedeh The transportation act provides that:
It. SHAH bether duty Of every carrier
to furnish safe and adequate car service and
to establish, observe. and enforce just and rea-
sonable rules, regulations and practices with
respect to car service; and every unjust and
unreasonable rule, regulation and practice
with respect to car service is prohibited and
declared to be unlawful
It shall also be the duty Of every carrier by
railroad to make just and reasonable distribu-
ton OF cars for transportation of coal among
the coal mines served by it located on its line
lines or customarily dependent upon It for
car supply. During any period when the sup
ply of cars available for such service does not
equal the requirements OF such mines it shall
be the duty of the carrier to maintain and ap-
ply just and reasonable ratings Of such mines
and to count each and every car furnished to
or used by any such mine for transportation of
coal against the mne Failure refusal
to, do shall be unlawful and in respect of each
car not 80 counted shall be deemed separate
ofense, and the carrier, receiver. operating
trustee failing refusing shall forfeit to
the United States the sum Of 500 for each
ofense. -
We take it that when the mines in Western Pennsyl.
vana or the mines Maryland, or in some other part Of
West Virginia served by the roads that serve the Fair
mont region getting many more than the Faimon
operators getting some one is violating the provision.
of the law which have been quoted Of course the Inter.
state Commerce commission will not on its own initiative
pay any attention to such matter. Not for many. many
months atleas Buff hemstteris presented to the COM
mission the right way it cannot avoid taking some action
with regard to conditions which is bound to make the
railroads materially mend ways And IN view of their
proven disposition to grind the coal mining industry when
and however they get chance, The West Vnsnian
believes the Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce
Business Mems associations ought to join with the Coal
Operators association IN filing brief with the Commerce
commission which will be strong: enough to make little
railroad history.