The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-03
Lack of Boats At Curtis Bay Has Been Big Factor In
Bringing About Car Shortage In This
Coal Region
GAN TAKE 1900 LOADS EAST OF GRAFTON
Visit of Railroad Men Here Deveopes Into Round Table
Discussion of the Whole Fuel Transportation
Problem.

A system whereby ships might meet
coal loads more promptly at Curtis
Bay and an extension Of the pooling
plan we're emphasized by c. w. Gallo
way, Baltimore, federal manager Of
the eastern lines Of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad in addressing $50 coal
operators at the rooms Of the North
ern West Virginia Coal Operators
Association in the Jacobs building this
morning. Mr.. Galloway told the coal
operators that he believed that many
OF the obstacles OF the tidewater sit
nation would be eliminated II 1t were
possible for the operators to arrange
these essentials.
Praises Galloway.
In presenting Mr.. Galloway to the
meeting C, H, jenkins, president of
ti-~ Northern West Virginia Coal
Operators Association, stated that al
most year had elapsed since he had
been before the coal operators. Mr..
Jenkins stated at the getaway that the
coal operators appreciate the many
difficulties the railroads have been
obliged to struggle along with. He
praised Mr.. Galloway for his achieve
ments while serving the position of
federal manager OF the eastern lines
OF the Baltimore & Ohio and othel
lines In the region of the United. States
Railroad administr stration.
Nails a Lie Here. = - 49,
In opening Mr.. Galloway stated that
he though much more could be ac-
complished Il the railroad officials
and the coal operators would meet
more frequently and iron out their
difficulties in free and fair way. He
proposed to come and bring with him
members Of his stan once month for
the purpose of receiving helpful sug-
gestions and constructive criticism.
He believed that much more could be
accomplished by this means than by
s writing letters by the score and nu-
merous telephone calls and kilograms.
0ne5of the things in particular that
brought Mr.. Galloway to Fairmont to-
day was to correct an erroneous state
ment OF fact which appeared in The
lack Diamond, a coal trade paper. II
showed disabled car with weeds all
grown over 1t and under it was stated
that this is one Of the 500 bad condi-
tons cars between Piedmont and
Keyser, w. Va. Mr.. Galloway denied
the truth of the statement. He said
!, hat there was such a disabled car
and weeds were grown over 1t, but
claimed that the total number given
of such cars between these points was
an absolute falsehood. The report
was forwarded to him after one OF the
United States Senators from West
Virginia had turned the matter over to
the railroad administration. Mr.. GAL
loway;said that this is what are known
as 1921 cars, or those offered for con-
demnation. He said there were but
rs cars 2of such a character between
these points.
Some Railroad Problems.
Mr.. Galloway admitted that 1t was
problem how to get the coal out OF
West Virginia with its network OF
railroads He offered no excuse for
any failure on the part of the B. G. O..
for being unable to provide cars be-
cause they were not actually on their
system. Right now there are from
ten to fifteen Mallet engines idle daily
and the officials are Just as anxious
to handle the coal traffic as the oper-
ators because they are losing money
all the time.
Plenty of Power.
Ninety Mallet engines are now To-
Gated on the Cumberladn division OF
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and
Mr. Galloway said that twenty-six
additional Mallet engines would be
into the division any time the coal
traffic warranted it.
He felt that the B. & o. railroad was
in a position to handle all OF the ex-
port tonnage. Daniel Howard, Clarks-
burg, stated that the tonnage to ex-
port points would be governed by the
prevailing prices for coal while Sam
uel' D. Brady, Fairmont, stated that
the placing OF embargoes would be a
factor. w. R. ,Rndrews, vice presi-
dent OF the Consolidation Coal COM
pany. asked whether there would not
be an ease up on Curtis Bay after Port
Coyington pier was completed by the
WeStern Maryland railroad, which Mr..
Galloway thought would like result.
Mr.. Andrews said that the B. & O.
railroad had handled the situation
wonderfully we'll"
Export Conditions.
Mr.. Galloway believed that the RaI
timore & Ohio railroad would have
no difficulty in handling 400 car loads
daily for Curtis Bay IL the operators
could make prompt boat ARRANGEMENTS,
which emphasized and reemphasized