The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-08-14

ton miles now in effect from the
southwestern fields of West Virginia
were applied to the Maryland mines,
the average reduction in freight would
be about $1.31 per ton, and the freight
rates on Maryland coal consumed in
Frederick, Hagerstown, Rockville, and
adjacent points would be reduced
about $1.33 and $1.70 per ton respec-
lively. This reduction, if equitably
divided in the market price between
consumer and producer, would be
largely beneficial to the entire state.
1t is sincerely believed that if the
Maryland railways were free to act
they would rectify these indefensible
inequalities.
The result of this discrimination is
that the miners homes are becoming
valueless and operators are actually
bankrupt. Meanwhile consumers of
coal embracing all the counties of
Western Maryland and the cities of
Baltimore and Washington are forced
to pay these excessive rates.
This discrimination is chargeable
to the Railway rate making powers.
1t began a generation ago when the
railroads themselves made the rail-
way rates, and made them with view
to advance the railway interest with
out reference to comparative cost OF
service. The government, however,
some years ago took this rate MAX
ing power away from the railroads
and is now the responsible rate maker;
and the railroads themselves have
lost this power.
Congress has the same costitutional
power to determine Railway or coal
tariffs that it has to make protective
tariffs, and both equally concern the
protection of domestic industries. The
occasion was presented and it would
have seemed fitting enough had the
representative of this District, when
these industrial tariffs were under dis
cussion called attention to the unjus-
tice railway tariffs which have blasted
Maryland Coal Mining. But neither
then nor at any time during the eight
years which the industry has been
languishing from this cause has such
voice, not even that of the Districts
representative, been raised in the
house or any bill been introduced by
him for the relief of the industry. This
subject should surely have been
brougt to and kept constantly before
the eyes of Congress. The railways
serving the region are now powerless.
Although the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad was exempted from taxation
by the State of Maryland for the very
purpose of effectively serving its in
dustries and have no doubt stands
willing to have this done, still it is i'm
portant. The constitution prohibits
either the Government of the States
from levying an export tax on any
product of the State, and in spite of
this an export tax, in substance, OF
about $3.50 per ton in the form of dis
eliminating railway rate is imposed on
| Maryland coal. 1t is this unjustl-
fable tax upon it which has driven 1T
out of even Maryland, it's natural
market. 1t is doubtful if in all the
history of misgovernment SUCH
wrongs have ever before been lntilc-
ted on an industry.
For many years l have given study
to the subject of railway transporta-
ton. In no country where the govern
ment has taken the responsibility for
making rates, whether under private
or government ownership, has the, dis
elimination been permitted which is
now resting like death on Maryland
mining. Our government ought not
only be just; it ought to establish
Justice with convenient speed, with
promptness.
1t is my purpose, if elected, to
arouse Congress, and the Interstate
Commerce Commission, to the dis
charge of the public duties thus ne
elected. Such an appeal in the House
may itself prove effective to bring re-
lief through Commission initiative.
Meanwhile, both political parties have
declared for a policy of sterilization
in the coal industry. An organization
may result of the entire coal industry,
actuated by the same constructive
spirit which gave us the Federal Re-
serve Bank system. Either course
would serve to restore Maryland min
ing to it's natural rights and thrill our
mountain homes with new hope.
PROHIBITION
When the Volstead bill was pre-
scented to President Wilson for ap-
prevail he advised the Congress to ex-
empt the lesser stimulants used as
beverages such as light wines and
beers. Congress declined to make this
modification and Wilson vetoed the
bill: When in Congress I supported
an unsuccessful prohibition amend
ment but l have always thought that
the gravemen of intemperance was
found in the strong alcoholic drinks
aided by the saloon, and had l been in
Congress I should have adopted the
Wilson method of treatment. Ten
years of an attempt to enforce a
larger program than the Wilson pro-
gram has not changed my opinion.
Personally 1 have obeyed the law
without exception, and if elected will
support the appropriations necessary
to it with other laws, but now as then
should vote for program allowing
local communities to exempt these
beverages from the enforcement stat
Distance Rate per Amount of Actual
Mines to 100 ton Discrimination
Delivery Miles Against Maryland
Coal Fields,
Compared With
New River and
POcahontas