The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-09-20
FINDS new HOBBY
I'm RAILWAYTAX
Blaine Said to Have Picked
New Issue to Make Next
Campaign On.
TO CHARGE EVASION
fRv United Presgl

| (By United PreSS1
| Madison, Wis-Governor Blaine to-
.day advised Governor Clifford Pinchot,
/ Pennsylvania, that Wisconsin will CO.
operate in the proposal made by Pln-
chot in recent letter to the govern
ors of al states, that the increased
/ cost of coal, made necessary by the
/ outcome of the recent coal conference
| be absorbed in part by reduction of
freight rates.
/ Governor Blaine stated in his let
ter that he had already placed the
machinery of the Wisconsin depart
ment of markets and the railroad COM
mission into operation to investigate
| freight rates on coal to Wisconsin. As
most of Wisconsin's coal is received
from Lake Superior and Lake. Michi-
gan ports the investigation will center
about the rates charged by coal boats
and the rates charged at the docks
Milwaukee, Manitowoc, Superior and
other lake ports.
/ Governor Pinchot suggested in his
letter that so cents of the necessary
60 cent increase per ton in the cost
of coal be absorbed by the freight re-
| duction and asked the cooperation Of
all the states in this matter. Tie
operators should net be made to share
more than 10 cents of the increase,
/ Governor Pinchot stated in his let
ter. The increase was made necessary
by the raise which was granted 10
| coal miners to bring about a settle
ment of the strike.
Governor Blaine adds very signi-
ficant postscript to his letter which IS
as follows:
Claims Anthracite Monopoly.
''The fact is, Governor Pinchot, that
there is an anthracite coal monopoly,
consisting of the seven railroads and
dominated by j. P. Morgan and Com
pany. Not one cent of the increase
in wages should be passed on to the
consumer, and until the federal gov
eminent effectively deals with the
coal mines and their operation, state
efforts will effect small relief, if any,
to the consumer
! The Badger governor sent a copy of
his letter. to Pinchot to both the de-
partment Of markets and the railroad
commission along with suggestion
that they at once put an Investigation
under way.
| i. Governor DIdlIle III MS iSltSI W me
Pennsylvania executive pointed out
many of the difficulties of an investi-
CATION conducted by states in an at
tempt to reduce freight rates. He
cited the fact that the only jurisdi
ton which states have over freight
rates is a power of review through
| the interstate commerce commission.
/ Not Merely Local fHfatter. |
| : FIt is true, as you suggest, that the
margins and profits of wholesalers,
brokers, jobbers and retailers within
state are mainly local matters which
must be handled locally, but as l un-
derstand it, there are seven companies
outside of Wisconsin owning the an
thracite coal mines, and they, either
through interlocking devices or other
wise, own and control the railroads
that transport the coal from the coal
mines to the lake ports" Governor
laine stated inB this letter.
| $50 far as this ownership is concern
ed, whether as wholesalers, brokers or
| jobbers, without the state, we are help
less. We have no power whatever TO
restrict or regulate the profits of
those outside concerns.
] Moreover our marketing department
will cooperate with the several states
or any group of states and will offer
the cooperation of our state depart
ments in preventing gouging in an
thracite, COAL"