The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-24
THREE STATES
ASKED. TO ACT
ON COAL FIGHT
Governor Nesto7 to Meet
Preus and McMaster in
Near Future on Subject
FIGHT A COMMON. ONE

The governors of North Dakota,
South Dakota and Minnesota will
meet in the very near future to de-
termine by what method the three
state. governments can best assis.
in the fight against the increase in
North Dakota coal rates, Governor
K. A. Nestos announced today when
making known that fact that he had
sent letters to Governor Preus OF
Minnesota and 'McMaster of South
Dakota requesting that they meet
with him, possibly in Fargo, at
date convenient to them. United
opposition to. the proposed increase
in freight rates on North Dakota
coal, which will result in a vast in
crease in the coal bill Of the North
west, will be the only subject dis
cussed at the conference of the three
governors unless Governors Preus
and McMaster have some matters
they wish to bring up, Governor
Nestos declared.
at is apparent" Governor Nestos
stated today "that the three state
governments must unite in PROJECT
ing the interests Of Goa! users. There
seems every indication that the new
Ignite tariff was inspired by eastern
coal interests. for it appears evident
that some drastic action must be
taken to clear the docks at the head
Of the lakes Of the large surplus
Of coal now on hand. Ignite has
been making substantial inroads into
the area heretofore served almost
exclusively by the dock interests and
the demand for ignite in Minnesota
this fall indicates record produc-
ton for North Dakota mines. The
eastern coal interests are finding it
hard to compete with Ignite in the
Ignite consuming area of the North
west where years trial of this fuel
has demonstrated it's heat value,
cleanliness and general utility for
domestic and industrial purposes.
Must Cooperate.
"The development of the North Da-
kota coal fields has resulted in other
industrial development made possible
by cheap fuel. Indications point to
further development Of this nature
which would soon result in less de-
tendency Oh agriculture. 1t is with
this thought in mind that many of
our civic organizations are demand
ing action by the state and believe
the state governments of adjoining
states will cooperate. AS long as
Ignite is available as satisfactory
and economical alternative for both
bituminous and anthracite, the east
ern coal interests cannot extract an
eXorbitant price but must meet this
competition from North Dakota and
keep, their price as fair figure. The
new rates. as sought ~ the railroads,
would drive Ignite out of the field,
practically all our mines would have
to close and the consumer would
again be subject to domination by
eastern coal interests. Such con-
ditien should not be permitted if the
state governments of Minnesota,
South. Dakota and North Dakota cah
prevent it.
"The explanation is offered by the
railroads Of the Northwest that this
new Ignite tariff results from the
issuance Of instructions from con-
Meeting lines to cancel discriminat-
ing rates on Ignite We may find
on complete investigation, in view
Of the large surplus Of coal at the
docks which must be moved to pro-
tect eastern coal interests, that there
is collision between the soft coal
operators and railroads carrying coal
over the long haul. If this be true,
it may be that the federal govern
ment would be called into the mat
ter for such combines to wipe out
competitive industry is certainly in
violation of the federal antitrust
act.
Appeals to Railroads.
II have already appealed to the
railroads serving and served by
North Dakota to withdraw this new
tariff. It seems to me that the
Northwest roads would do everything
possible to speed the development of
the territory through which they run,
rAther than to retard it. 1t seems
certain that no thought at all has
been given. to the financial condition
of the farmers and those dependent
upon agriculture in the northwest
when such step is taken which will
PROFESSIONALLY add millions to the
fuel bills Of the people of these three
states who are already staggering
under heavy burdens. I hope the
railroads can be made to see the
viewpoint of the people of the North
west and will withdraw the tariff
before causing us the heavy expense
of fighting it. But if they do not,
we will fight this new tariff to the
last ditch. The interests of tthe coal
consumers of the Northwest will be
Protected"