National Affairs: Comparative Rates

Some time before July 1 the United States Coal Commission (” Fact Finding Commission “) will make its report on the anthracite coal situation. John Hays Hammond, Chairman of the Commission, disclosed that one of its recommendations would be for a reduction on the freight rates of anthracite coal.

The Commission believes that the rate on anthracite is too high as compared to the rate on bituminous coal, and too high as compared with other commodities. It is easier, moreover, to handle anthracite coal than bituminous, and the Commission believes this should be taken into consideration in the fixing of freight rates,