Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-06-15
Rail Rates On Coal Unfair.
Lewis Says.

Asserting that discrimination in rail
rates fixed by the Federal Government
rs resting like deaths hand on Mary
land coal mining" David }. Lewis, Demo-
cratic candidate for Congress from the
sixth district, declared that if elected he
would fight for a readjustment in rates
and the restoration Of mining property in
this State
Referring to his experience on the tariff
commission, Mr.. Lewis. in a speech at
Frostburg, Md. on the 9Th instant, said he
has studied the subject Of railway trans
portation in all parts Of the world. No
where. he asserted, where Government has
undertaken the responsibility for fixing
rates. has discrimination been permitted
like that prac iced against Maryland min
ing.
Rates from Maryland mines less than
200 miles from Tidewater are the same
as rates from mines farther inland a dis
lance OF almost 500 miles. he said. With
cheaper operating costs inland, mining
companies have been able to undersell and
threaten the extinction of Maryland mines
he declared. although Maryland because
OF shorter rail haul, should be able to
compete on an equal basis, II not to an
advantage. with the inland mines.
There are still undug in these noun
tains of ours 5000, 900. 900 tons of coal,
in nine commercial seams. he said. Five
billions tons are sufficient 10 supply the
whole soft-coal demand of the country for
more than ten years, yet what is the con.
dition OF our coal mining Industry
us il progressing? 1t is not. 10 1920
Georges Creek and its environs sent to the
market 100000 tons OF coal. In 1927
this production had sunk to 100000 tons.
and am reliably advised that the future
holds out no promise,
While Maryland production has been
cut in half, the production Of the New
River region and the Pocohontas region
497 miles from tidwater. have increased.
What is the explanation Of this change
in our coal miningY The cause consists Of
two great circumstances Of discrimination
against our coal mining industry. The
hTst discrimination is an act Of nature by
which the New River and Pocohontas re-
eions are endowed with eight and nine
loot coal seams. easily and cheaply mined.
but there is another discrimination. Il
is discrimination of the freight rate max
ing power which has 50 formed the tariff
rates that the Maryland fields. less than
200 miles from tidewater, are Obliged TO
pay freight rate on coal virtually as high
as the New River and POcohontas regions
are called on TO pay for distance Of 500
miles.
The great discrimination in rates asaint
our region came about when the railroads
OF the United States possessed the power
to make railway rates. OF course. they
made rates purely with view to their
own interests. Their rates were dictated
by private railway policy and not by JUS
tice OF the comparative cost Of service.
The Government some years ago took
this rate-making power away from the
railways. The Government now is the re-
sponsible railway rate maker. yet the Gov
eminent has suffered this gross discrimi-
nation in railway rates to continue against
our region.
Congress has full power 10 handle the
coal freight rate situation by providing a
just formula under which railway rates
on coal shall be made in accordance with
the proper costs Of railway carriage.
With background Of four generations
in coal mining feel the obligation which
should actuate public man in obtaining
immediate relief. and il | am favored with
your confidence in this instance | shall. as
member Of Congress, apply myself i'm
mediately to the program Of securing just
Government action in the direction Of relief.