The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-31
ASK
INQUIRY ON
COAL RATES
Union Calls on Congress to
Probe Discrimination
Charges of Lewis.
FAV0RITISM Is ALLEGED
Interstate Commerce Body
FIayed by Convention.

Congress was asked to investigate
alleged freight rate discrimina.
tions" of the Interstate Commerce
Commission which are "menacing
the prosperity of Indiana, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Illinois" and to
end by legislation unfair rate fixing
in a resolution adopted by the
United Mine Workers of America
convention at Tomlinson Hall today.
The miners petitioned the Senate
and House of Representatives Ito in
vestigate thoroughly the freight rate
discrimination, which have resulted
in the extreme depression of the coal
industry in Indiana. Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania and Illinois"
Congress also was asked to investi-
gate the adequacy of existing laws,
relative to providing relief.
Discrimination Charged
Action was taken on recommends
ton of the committee on officers re-
port on the supplementary annual
report of President John l.. Lewis.
In his supplementary report
Lewis charged the commission has
Disseminated against union coal
fields to benefit non-union fields.
The committee held that Congress
should know by facts stated in a
memorial to be presented to the two
national legislative bodies that "the
coal industry Of Indiana, Ohio, Penn
sylvania and Illinois, is being de-
stroyed by the existence of unjust,
unreasonable and arbitrary discrimi-
nation in freight rates"
The miners contend that these
unfair" freight rates are in viola
ton of the letter and spirit of the
Interstate Commerce Act and in
defiance of sound economic principles.
The committee contends: That the
coal fields Of Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois are entitled to
the advantages of their superior nat
ural location.
Depression Result
have been virtually driven out of
their natural markets and thrown
into a condition of extreme de-
preston by an unjust and unrea-
sonable policy" the committee re-
ported.
That the coal fields of Kentucky,
Virginia, West Virginia and Tennes-
see are no longer infant industries
and that preferential freight rates
to these non-union coal fields are
not warranted by law.
That the plan of freight rate ad-
justment by the impositio nof flat
increases of so many cents per ton
and the maintenance of the differer.
tials fixed before the war is unsound,
unscientific and destructive.
That this inequitable and unscien-
tific method of readjusting freight
rates has driven the coal producers
Of Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana and
Illinois out of their legitimate mar
l1ets and brought them to n condition
of depression and bankruptcy.
Mines Idle
That widespread depression ex-
lists in every section" and that
"mines are idle, production is dinlin-
ishing. Competing mines in Ken
lucky, Virginia. West Virginia and
Tenness as a result of these special
favors have increased their produc-
ton, opened new mines and thus
added to the already demoralized
condition Of the industry"
That this condition has not hene-
fitted the consumers of the United
States.
That these excessive rates have
not benefited the railroads serving
the Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Illinois mines.
That as a result of these excessive
discriminatory rates it is extremely
difficult for the Indiana, Ohio, Penn
sylvania and Illinois mines to COM
pete in their natural markets.
That these unjust freight rates af-
fects the public interest by promot-
ing waste.
No Basis Found
That the low freight rate to the
coal fields of Kentucky, Virginia,
West Virginia and Tennessee has re-
suited in the uneconomic opening Of
new mines in those regions In VIC.
lation of the recommendations OF the
United States Coal Commission.
The committee declared that 1t
can not find in the Interstate Com
merce act or in any national legisla-
tion which warrants such discrimina-
tion in favor Of any industrial dis
trict or any grou POT corporations.
Such discrimination is abhorrent
to every American tradition and
would be a gross violation Of ths
Constitution of the United States,
the committee charged in its me-
mortal to Congress.
The convention directed the inter
national officer sto present the me-
mortal to Cogress.