The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-24
LOWER PRICE
DECLARED
OPERATORS
Major Stanley Washburn
Says All Can Prosper in
North Dakota

"A fair price to labor, an ade
quate return on capital invested to
the operators and the lowest price
possible to the consumer are the
detectives of the North Dakota
Ignite Coal Operators associa-
tion," according to a statement is
sued today by Major Stanley
Washburn, president of the opera
tors associations, in explaining the
purpose CT une mine owners organ
ization which has set itself to the
task of developing the Ignite coal
deposits of North Dakota by ex-
tending the Ignite market into
eastern North Dakota and parts
Of Minnesota and South Dakota.
Some CT the eastern operators
association the statement con-
tinues," are credited with having
formed their organizations for two
purposes: to fight the labor unions
and fix high price of coal at the
mine. Neither of these motives
have any part in the aims of the
North Dakota Ignite Coal Oper-
ators association. 1t is an organ
ization devoted primarily to the
development of new markets for
Ignite coal. We believe that any
industry which is based on the
premise that its success can be
achieved only by the squeezing out
CT small competitors, beating down
labor and sand bagging the con-
sumner is unsound both ethically
and economically. This associa-
ton was organized to serve in
every way possible the interests
of the small mines in North Dako-
ia as well as the large mines.
Every operator in North Dakota
should realize that it is not neces-
sary for the mines to seek bust
ness at each others expense. 1t is
our conviction that the $50 mines
operating in this state, working in
harmon and united in their sup
port Of the detectives cf the or
panization, can mine and sell out
side Of North Dakota from three
to FIVE million tons of coal year
without in any way making cut
t6"oa' oor'petiticn between them
necessary"
when the farmer realizes that
the use of Ignite coal throughout
the northwest means enough cars
in 'he northwest to move his crop:
when the consumer realizes that
the use Of Ignite coal means that
every dollar ne pays for fuel gees
into the northwestern banks foi
the use of northwestern prosperi-
ty; when the banks realize that
the use Of Ignite instead of east
their denOsits of over 500 ,OO0,O0(
a year, then will these three great
factors in the community unite ir
a concentrated effort through then
civic organizations and state
agencies to bring about the edu.
cation of every class of consumer
to use Ignite instead of eastern
Z. coal.
"The North Dakota Ignite Goa
Operators association invites the
assistance, cooperation and advice
of every newspaper, bank, civic or.
ganization and industry to unite
WIFI tIlelll III tlIiS ploS ain uSSIiliSe
for the common good of every
man, woman and child who lives
within the borders of Minnesota
and the Dakotas."
The operators have launched ar
advertising campaign with the
first effort being directed against
the prejudice against Ignite be
cause it is not briquetted. The
operators claim that if more thar
100000 tons can be used for all
purposes by part of North Dako-
ta,l the entire state and parts OF
Minnesota and South Dakota car
use ignite exclusively.
Operators who have become af
flliated with the organization have
approved an assessment of one
cent a ton on their Ignite produc.
ton to finance the preliminary
campaign. A more extensive pro.
gram Will be mapped out at the
next meeting of the operators
which will be held sometime il
March.