1907 - Any System Will Suit N. & W.

[NW Mailing List]

Roanoke Times - November 9, 1907

ANY SYSTEM WILL SUIT N. & W.

Operators Who Had Contracts Prevented Change From Coke Oven Basis

Washington, Nov. 8 - The interstate commerce commission was engaged 
Wednesday in hearing arguments in the case of the Powhatan Coal and 
Coke Company of the Pocahontas field against the Norfolk and Western 
in which the whole subject of distribution of coal cars among various 
companies was considered. The coal and coke company alleged that the 
railroad company plays favorite in distributing, letting some 
operators have more than their share, while others, not in their good 
graces, cannot get a sufficient number to transport their output.
   Cars are at present distributed in proportion to the number of 
coke ovens operated. The Powhatan company desires distribution made 
on basis of mine capacity. Judge Holt, counsel of the Norfolk and 
Western, declared that the railway company is willing to adopt any 
system favored by the majority of the operators and that it only 
wants to do that which meets with the approval of the shippers. He 
said the system of distributing according to the number of coke ovens 
operated met with the approval of operators for a long time, but when 
complaints against the system were first made the railway would have 
changed to mine capacity method, but was prevented by some operators 
that have contracts binding the road to distribute cars in proportion 
to the number of coke ovens operated. The case will not decided for 
some time. The Powhatan company is represented by Messrs. Graham and 
Vincent. Frank T. Glasgow representing companies which desire no 
change, and the railway by Judge Holt, general counsel.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link