The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-07-27
Ignite RATES
CONFERENCE.-THE
BE HELD AUG. 2
Railroad Commission to Meet Coal
Operators, Representatives of
Carriers. 674,79O Tons Shipped.

The question of Ignite coal rates
will be the subject of a conference to
be held in Bismarck Wednesday after
noon, August 2, it was announced to-
day by the state railroad commission.
AT this conference operators of lig-
mite mines, railroad companies and
the members of the railroad commits
sion will go over problems which have
resulted in the request for an investi-
cation of Ignite rates.
An investigation of Ignite rates
was undertaken by V. E. Smart, traf-
fic expert Of the railroad commission,
upon request to the commission of
operators of mines west of the Mis-
souri, river, who alleged there were
unreasonable differences in rates to
various points in Minnesota, North
and South Dakota from Ignite mines
east and west of the Missouri river.
1t is claimed by operators west of the
river that there is not sufficient
margin of profit to meet existing diff
ferences in freight rates between their
mines and those on the east side of
the river.
The state board of administration
is delaying the lettering of contracts
for institutional coal for the COM
ing year pending the result of the
conference, it was stated at the COM
mission offices. The threatened fuel
shortage, according to representa-
tives of the commission, is also an
important factor as it is desired that
the northwest Ignite supply be avail
able from all mines in North Da-
kota.
674,79O Tons Produced
According to figures ascertained by
Mr.. Smart there was shipped on rail-
roads 674,790 tons of Ignite coal
from North Dakota mines during the
year ending October 81, 1921. There
are 118 coal mines in North Dakota,
of which Sc shipped the above tom
mage. The remaining mines are the
so-called wagon mines, selling fuel
within their immediate vicinity. The
largest shipper was the Washburn
Ignite Coal company of Wilton,
which shipped 227,840 tons of coal;
the next was the Beulah Coal com
pany, which shipped 60,007; Lucky
Strike Coal company, shipping 3d.
$50, the Whittier Crockett company
of Columbus, shipping 45,075. Other
mines produced less than 10000 tons
of coal.
The RAILROAD commission has been
advised that the final decision of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
leaves effects reduced rates on ship
ment of coal from the head of the
lakes to western North Dakota cities,
including jamestown, Minot and Bis
marck. The original order provided
for increases for shipments to Wah-
peton, Fargo and Grand Forks, &C
cording to Mr.. Smart.
Join in Rate Fight
The state railroad commission will
join with nine other western states
in presenting their objections to in
creases, interstate and interstate ex-
press rates, according to representa-
tives of the state railroad commission.
The interstate body has ordered an
investigation of the interstate ex-
press rates, which were increased
IL l-2 and Is IL per cent within the
last two years.
The North Dakota commission has
not granted the 13 IL per cent in
crease in intrastate express rates,
contending that reduction Of loss and
damage claims and reduction of pay
of employees made the increase unne-
cessary.