The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-10-13
Trade Embargo on Ohio
Made Mining Supplies
Hinted
MAY BLOCK W.VA. COAL
Retailers Make Too Much
-Monongahela's Big
Empty Order

Strenuous effort is being made
by the coal operators of West Vlr-
ginia to fight the proposed plan OF
Ohio coal operators to widen the
freight differentials whereby the
excessive coal carrying rates would
put West Virginia coal out OF the
running to Ohio industrial cities.
/ Possibly no more serious or
alarming discriminatory measure
against West Virginia coal was ever
attempted. II the proposed rate is
secured by Ohio coal operators IL
will moan that there can be no com
petition from the outside, which the
business infegH 9 set Ohio can
1ardly afford ssne io15 = u ~ 5
SGoI operators IN West Virginia
are all ;wro ought up over me situa-
tlon. For a time they appeared to
be passive in the matter because
some Of the tonnage from West tVir-
ginIa was affected already by pres.
ent exorbitant freight rates, but
within the past week or ten days
the feeling has developed unusual!
ly strong against the proposed i'm.
position.
According to the information OBJ.
tained coal rates from the Fairmont
region on a ton of coal to Ohio cit
les would be raised seventy-four
cents on thetton.
zFairmont region is tooth and nail
against the proposed widening OF
differentials and the operators and
shippers Of coal to Ohio cities are
rallying to the support OF the West
Virginia coal operators in their et''
fort to stay any such unfair action
against West Virginia coal, regard
ed as a whole as a more desirous
fuel.
Attorneys and witnesses for the
West Virginia coal operators will
attend a meeting of their chief
counsel, E. ]. McVann in the Nun.
sey building, Washington, D. G.,
Friday. Among the Fairmonters
who will attend are c. H. Jenkins
and George s.. Bracket. Mr.. Jen-
kins left last night for Washington
and Mr.. Brackett leaves today.
In Atlantic City on October, 81,
the Interstate Commerce commits
sion will hear the, ctoss.examtna.
,tion OF the Ohio coal operators wit.
nesses after which witnesses will
present the West Virginia side OF
the case. The action Is that Of the
Southern Ohio Coal Exchange
against the B. & O.. G. & o. and a
dozen or more coal carrying rail-
roads with the West Virginia coal
operators as interYeners on behan
of tho railroads. ~
In various parts OF West Virginia
there Is considerable discussion
with reference to, the matter of the
coal interests OF West Virginia pur.
chasing supplies, mine equipment
and commodities within the con-
fines OF the state instead Of going
to Ohio to procure them. If the
trade embargo starts between the
two states there is no telling where
it will end. 4
The situation is made more tense
by reflecting upon the action of
former Governor Cox Of Ohio who
issued a proclamation calling upon
Ohio citizens to cease buying West
Virginia coal. A number of West
Virginia coal operators are asking
themselves the question why they
should patroniEe the numerous Ohio
travelling representatives who daily
visit their. offices and .plants,to sell
merchandise from Ohio II that state
Is SO thoroughly ,imbued with the
idea OF putting West Virginia coal
operators out OF business and keep
ing the fuel out Of the Buckeye
Big Empty Order.
With 40S empties ordered by, the
mines along the. Monongahela rail-
way in West Virginia today this
Is the strongest placement OF 1920.
Not since December OF last year did
the mines desire 80 many cars. It
is understood that the New York
Central railroad Is laying In add. |
tional coal stocks
on the MononEah dlyision, 3. g
O:, $50 are drdered hue on the
fIsryIand there afos 96sotSt
kcdhs s4nnSd Sa 3pagS fo,lEl < = 4. ~
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