New Britain herald., 1922-04-13

Pennsylvania and New York and 1T | inc entire territory of New Jersey and ! tho New England states, where the annual consumption is, approNimately 4o,000,O0O gross tons, and where tho freight rates applied are based on the rate from the anthracite producing territory in northeastern Pennsylva, nia to tidewater at New York,
 The details fin the figure mentioned above are;
 Excess in freight rate to tldewater $l,S0; saving in new freight rate hS reduction Of refuse matter, 10 pci cent, of total weight, sl3; increase In the value of coal by reduction in refuse matter 10 per cent, of total weight, SEQ; total, s2.63,
 Reduction or Freight Rate
 The present freight rate of anthra- cite coal from the mining sections of psnnsiyania to tidcwator. New York IS S2,Gl a ton, which the association claims is al the very minimum, Sl ir excess of q proper compensation to the railroads. The statement is made that a rate Of $l.30 per ton instead
  roads a revenue of S,i4 mills per ton per mile, said to be in excess of that which accrues 10 railroads of the country for transporting general mor- chandise.
 \ Quality Under Fire
 Another feature or anthracite coal problems in New England, which Mr, Atwater will bring 10 the attention of the league and which is included in the program of the association, is that of unclean coal. It is well known fact that coal Is sold in New England of quality which would not be ec- cepted at any price by the small householder living in the mining re- gions, who is an expert in judging coal.
 Wants Less Refuse
 The association plans to reduce the quantity of coal dust and dirt in a car of coal, which now is shipped and paid for as coal, although practically -combustible matter. It is stated that in some instances this refuse matter runs as high as 30 and 40 per cent of the total weight. This, also will reduce by a large percentage the amount of ashes to be disposed of, which means a tremendous saving in the cost of overhead to large factor ies
 Transportation Facilities
 Another feature is the lack of transportation facilities. The report of the association says lack of trans portation facilities is the only feature next to the periodical strikes which occur in the coal regions to cause coal famine. Transportation men agree that in case of car shortage, etc, there rarely has been a time when 10 per cent. addition would not have relieved the difficulty.
 The plan of the association in eim- mating 30 to 40 per cent. of the refuse now shipped as coal, is expect
 Ship In Summer
 It is planned to advocate a cheaper rate in summer, or seasonable freight rates, to induce the 11th hour buyer to purchase his coal in the summer months when transportation facilities have a minimum amount of difficulty to contend with. The association plans to support a bill now pending in the United States senate to bring about this condition.
 Hard And Soft Coal Mixed
 Burning mixture of anthracite and btuminous coal by consumers will be advocated so as to relieve shortage possibilities. In order that smaller consumers may come into the with an equal privilege, the following rates for initiation have been adopted: Consumers using 15 tons per year or less, S1 consumers using 500 to 750 tors per year. $50; using ,500 tons per year to 10000 tons $100; consumers using over 10000 tons per year to be charged at the rate of five cents per ton of their total consumption.
 First Meeting in Conn.
 This will be the first meeting of the league to be held outside of Bos- ton and traffic men all over Con- necticut are said to be very much interested in it. Practically all of the members of the New Britain Traffic bureau plan to attend.
 Other items of importance to be discussed will be as follows
 Reasons why Connecticut manu- lecturers should join the league.
 CastIeton Cutoff.
 Distribution of freight committee dockets.
 Differential rates via Mississippi warrior river barge line.
 Rates to Virginia cities.
 Southeastern rate adjustment.
 Amendment to Pomerene bill
 Hearings before railroad labor board.
 Consolidation of railroads.
 Freight service out of New England (Mr. Atwater). A-Need for additional package car service from New Haven railroad stations to the west. (Mr. | Atwater). Formation of Anthracite Coal Con- 5umers' association (Mr. Atwater.) Reasons why New England manu- | lecturers should support the steam ship lines operating through the Pan