Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-12
INCREASE IN COAL
RATE TO Be FOUGHT
Plans for Local interests and
Mine Operators Action
to Be Made Here.

An organized protest to be laid be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion against a 29-cent boost in coal
freight rates, from the coal fields of
New River, w. Va. 10 Washington,
which the Chesapeake & Ohio and the
Virginia roads have announced. Will be
formulated tomorrow morning at con-
ference at the Racquet Club between
representatives of the major trade
bodies Of Washington and S. c. Hig-
gins Of the New River coal operators,
il was announced this morning
Fears were expressed that the con-
templated boost in rates to Washington
from the New River fields. which would
create a differential of ~ cents III IA
vor of the Pennsylvania coal operators
would eliminate the Southern operators
from the LEGAL market and might tend
to bring about rise in coal prices 10
Washington consumers.
Local Groups TO Aid.
The local trade bodies determined to
Join III protest against the announced
new rates from the New River fields
following receipt of kilograms from Hig-
gins, representing the Southern dealers.
At the conference the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association will be
represented by James f. Collihower,
chairman OF the coal division OF the
association. and Edward u. Shaw. Sec
rotary of the organization; the Cham
Der Of Commerce by Charles w. Darr,
acting president, and Jerome FanciulIl
of the transportation and freight rates
committee; the Board Of Trade by {,
Phillips Hill and Robert j. Cottrell,
executive secretary; while john A.
Petty. secretary of the Real Estate
Board, will represent that organization.
The boost In the coal freight rates
to Washington viii constitute dis
elimination against the West. Virginia
operators, as compared with the rates
applicable to coal shipments from Clear
field PA, to Washington. which would
be ~ cents a gross ton lower, Higgins
informed the local organizations
Telegram Outlines Situation.
MIR. Higgins telegraphcd as follows,
The Chesapeake & Ohio and Viz
ginla railroads are publishing advance
In rates to Washington from New River
coal fields Of 20 cents gross ton. max
ing new rate OF $3i3 gross ton, as
compared with rate from Clearheld Of
SAT- per gross ton. or difference Of
81 cents IN favor of PENNSYLVANIA,
southern coal operators view with
alarm this advance. as Ii Will eliminate
these coal fields from fair competition,
which heretofore has maintained.
Southern operators cannot absorb this
difference in freight rates and II we
are eliminated from Washington the
ultimate result can only be an advance
In prices generally from all northern
coal fields serving Washington con-
sumerS"
yItuatov a3aAI st%n,, npr aa Vitaliy
interested IN this proposition as arc
producers OF coal as this advance means
dollars and cents to your interest"
Petty. while not speaking officially
for the Real Estate Board, said THIS
morning that he considered the boost
In coal rates from the Southern fields
serious question, due 10 the possible
lty of higher overhead for hotels, apart |
ment houses and once buildings, which
would result II coal prices 70 local eon-
sumers were raised,