The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-10-07
ANTHRACITE MEN
ENTER fight FOR
LOWER COAL Rate
Object to Alleged Discrimina-
ton in Favor Of Bitumi-
nous Producers

Chicago, Oct. 7.-R-Anthracite
coal producers projected q new Issue
INTO the rate fight between bitunin-
BUS producers Of the northern and
fields today with vigorous
protests against any changes That
would widen the present relationship
Of rates for the two products.
The anthracite institute, represent
ed by Attorney Fred L. Ballard, CHI
cago, interviewed in the hearing before
Charles B. BradweA 70
claim that present rates on coal SNIP
ped to Great Lakes ports for trans
shipment to the northwest consumers
are prejudicial to anthracite coal.
To this end, G.. A. Sinder, sales rep
resentative for Dickson and Eddy Of
New York, testified the gross tonnage
Of anthracite coal loaded into vessels
at Lake Erie ports decreased from
3 COT, 1888 tons in 1920 to l,175,758 tons
In 1929, or 81 per cent. .
He also testified that present rail-
rates on anthracite lake cargo coal
averaged 9 mills per ton mile against
bituminous rates ranging from 90
mills to 90 mills for the northern
fields. and rs to 6 mills for the south
ern fields.
Anthracite coal has been replaced
in the consuming northwest area py
bituminous coal and coke, he testified.
Attorney Ballard declared the testt-
mony was produced to show the rate
d~ifferentiai was one Of the important
adverse conditions contributing TO the
loss of anthracite market.
The attorney explained that anth-
racite producers were not at present
asking any rate adjustment but were
objecting to any wider d~ifferential
which might ensue If the Interstate
Commerce commission grants the
plea Of the northern bituminous ope-
rators.
The main issue in the hearing Is
based upon complaints Of the north
ern bituminous producers, comprising
western Pennsylvania and Ohio, that
the present rate d~ifferential, IS cents
per ton, between them and the south
ern bituminous producers, comprising
Kentucky and West Virginia, Is not
great enough in comparison with the
difference in mileage. The ditteren-
tial is in favor Of the northern prod
ucers and they claim it Is inadequate
to assure them their natural geo
graphical advantage.
A. b. Pratt, Of Aberdeen, 8. D., traf-
fic manager Of the Northern States
Power company, said he believed {
IS cent spread could be justified II
place Of the IS cent d~ifferential bu1
was particular to point out that re-
lief, II granted by the commission
should take the form Of q reduction
Of the northern field rates rather thai
an advance of rates from the south
Any increase, he felt, would tend Il
bring up the price Of coal.
Pratt suggested that coal rates as
| whole need adjustment because Of tn
competition Of gas and oil. He men
toned that Minneapolis now has $50
oil burners, replacing 10000 tons o
coal q year, and called attention t
the approach Of natural gag and o.
pipe lines from the southwest.
Another Aberdeen witness, A. s
Boden, chamber Of commerce com
missioner, said IS per cent Of tn
domestic coal produced In the east !
consumed by South Dakota. He ex
pressed belief that II lake cargo rate
are advanced, gas and fuel oils Wi
be substituted generally for coal.