Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1907 — A SQARE DEAL ON THE COAL PROBLEM [ARTICLE]

A SQARE DEAL ON THE COAL PROBLEM

[Special Correspondence.) Indianapolis, Ind., Oct 16. —In order that the people of Indiana may not ; ■utter from a coal famine during the . coming winter and that the memb'en of the coal trade may have a square deal from the railroads, the Indiana Railroad Commission will soon inaugurate a sweeping inquiry into existing conditions. This commission, which has repeatedly proven the wisdom of the Republican party in creating it, is in a fair way now to do something that will affect thousands of homes where coal is used and hundreds of factories that depend on coal as a fuel. On Oct. 23 the commission will begin a hearing of complaints against the Vandalia and other railroad companies, who, it is alleged, charging the general consumers {a"' higher freight rate than they are each other. Before that date an inquiry will be started -to compel roads to distribute cars without discrimination to all companies. - : , Fair Treatment Demanded. The commission came to the aid of the coal shippers and consumers when it issued an order for an investigation of the complaint that the Vandalia is charging less for hauling coal to other railroads than to domestic and wholesale consumers/ The order issued by the commission shows that the Vandalia has been charging the domestic and wholesale consumers from 10 to 30 cents a torn more than other railI roads. It is -ordered that the railroads ■hall at the hearing show: “(A) Why such preferential rates for the transportation-’of coal are not unlawful and why the commission should not forbid the further Continuance of the same for movement of coal to such connecting lines. “(B) Why the commission should not cause prosecutions to be instlinstituted for the recovery of penalties accruing under the laws of this state for the movement of such coal under such rates as to the originating lines and for receiving the same on such rates as to the receiving line.” Important Action Coming. The complaint of a coal company at Jasonville that the Southern Indiana road is discriminating in favor of the larger companies in distributing cars is expected to result before many months in action that will compel the railroads to treat all operators alike. Commissioner McAdams says that this is the most important matter the commission has considered. It will be surprising indeed if it does not result in a readjustment of conditions that will be of great benefit to coal consumers. At this time the operators are _ad-

▼ancing the price of coal because they can’t get cars tq ship enough to supply the demand. The prices to the domestic consumers will necessarily be higher unless something is done to facilitate the movement of coal to the markets. Good Law at Hand. Fortunately for the consumers of coal, and especially for the operators and dealers themselves, the Republicans in the last legislature provided an effective method of compelling the railroads to give good and adequate service. The so-called “shippers’ bill” clothes the commission with authority to force the roads to stop discrimination in distributing cars and to move them promptly to the points to which they have been consigned. Last winter and spring there was a coal famine in Indiana because the railroads wrangled ftmnng themselves about moving cars, but under the new laws enacted by the Republican legislature they will have to "be good.” The railroad commission is determined to take vigorous action in protecting the public from these big corporations. More Republican Times. The latest figures compiled by the Indiana bureau of statistics, in regard to the wealth of the people of Indiana, show that property values have increased at a rapid pace. The latest years on which comparison has been made are 1900 and 1904. A great increase was shown in the value of real estate and improvements of the state, and, in fact, in every class of wealth. In the year 1990 the total wealth in the state amounted to >2,606,493,004, while four years later it amounted to 13,105,781,739. The increase in the value of real estate and improvements for the four years was more than >200,000,000. The value of such property in 1900 was >1,500,283,883, while the value in 1904 was >1,760,068,958. In livestock the increase was even more marked in proportion to ths value of livestock as compared with that of real estate. The value of livestock in 1900 was 8118.963.200, and In 1904 It was >lsl,798.200. In the value of farming implements and machinery the increase amounted to about >2,000,000. Ths value of this class, of property in 1900 was >27,330,370, and in 1904 it was >29,374,682. Other comparative values are as fellows: Manufacturing machinery, in 1900, >65,046,726; in 1904, >84,079,065; gold and silver coin and bullion In 1900, >47,302,176; in 1904, >52,137,778; railroads and equipment, in 1960, >304,137,000; in 1904, >375,541,000; street railways, waterworks plants, etc., in 1900, >81,337,411; in 1904, 8110.075,967.