The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-15
ASK RAILROADS
TO WITHDRAW
Ignite RATE
Coal Operators of North Da.
kota, in Meeting Here, Take
Steps to Fight Increase
CITES ITS ILL EFFECTS
Special Committee Named to
Work With Executive Of
ficers to Combat Increase

Ignite coal operators Of North
Dakota, assembled in meeting in Bis
marck last night at the call of their
state association, planned an aggres-
sive campaign, to begin at once,
against the proposed increase in lig-
mite coal freight rates asked for by
the railroads serving this state.
Operators present, representing ap-
rroximately 80 percent of the states
output of coal, pledged full moral
and financial cooperation to their
association in the fight in which the
association has already been promis-
ed the support of state officials and
state railroad commissions in North
and South Dakota and many civic or
ganizations throughout the Ignite
consuming area. In resolutions pass
ed the operators called upon the rail
roads to withdraw their proposed
tariff, which has been suspended for
12O days by the state railroad COM
mission and by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, and pleaded for
the cooperation Of the people in
the Ignite area for their support.
The operators appointed a special
committee to work with the executive
officers of the association in COM
batting the proposed rate increase,
it being the intention of the opera
tors to Immediately engage expert
counsel to prepare their case for the
hearings to be held sometime dur
ing the period of suspension.
Resolutions Adopted
The resolutions adopted follow:
"Resolved that the North Dakota
Ignite Coal Operators association,
having become aware of a menace to
the welfare of each individual eiti-
zen of North Dakota, South Dakota
and Minnesota, in the, shape of a
proposed tariff on Ignite coal in
creasing the freight rates thereon
40 to 60 percent, as proposed by the
principal railroads serving these
states, and furthef being aware that
such increased rates would inevita-
bly, destroy the hard-earned develop
ment of the Ignite industry, and
further being aware that the remov-
al of competition from Ignite would
leave the public of the Northwest
at the mercy of eastern coal mer-
chants, does hereby call upon the
people of North Dakota, South Da-
kota and Minnesota to act vigorous
ly and promptly, protesting to the
railroads and to the Interstate Com
merce Commission against this ef-
fort by the railroads to further bur-
den the Northwest in it's. time Of dire
need.
: "Resolved, that the North Dakota
Ignite Coal Operators association,
recognizing that if the proposed lig-
mite tariff, increasing freight rates
40 to 60 percent, should become ef-
fective, most of the mines in North
Dakota would be obliged to discon-
tinue operations, and that much just
resentment would arise. from the
people Of North Dakota, South Dako-
ia and Minnesota against the rail-
roads because of this removal of
their only source of cheap fuel and
of the only functioning industry
within the state of North Dakota and
of rapidly. developing Industrial
asset which furnishes purchasing
power and which can attract manu-
featuring industries to this state,
does hereby call upon the railroads
serving, and served by the state Of
North Dakota, to withdraw the pro-
posed tariff both in view Of it's in
justice and of its inevitable result,
the keen ill-will of the people who
would suffer most severely"
It is the announced intention OF
the executive committee to meet
with state officials of North and
South Dakota in the near future and
plan complete coordination of the
various elements affected by the pro-
posed rate increases. Assurances of
support from South Dakota were
brought to the meeting by E.. O..
|Roush of Haynes, member of the
\South Dakota coal commission.
Operators Present
Operators present at the meeting
included: N. d. Nichols, Medora;
E. O. Roush, South Dakota Coal Min
ing Comwission, Haynes; E. F. Stew
ems, Garrison; F. F. peiters, Diokin-
{ son; B. A. Pratt, Minneapolis; w.
P. Macomber, Jefferson Steiner,
Washburn Ignite Coal Co.; Elmer
Truax, Truax Coal Co.; j. A. Kun
kel, Garrison; H. o. Stevens, Garri-
son; H. A. Whittier, Whittier Crockett
Co., Columbus; Tom Figinscow, Fal-
kirk; c.. 6. Boise, Glen Ullin Coal
Co; ]. F. Milloy, Secretary Of oper-
ators' Association;. J. P. Mellon,
state Mine inspector.