Letter from Henry Clay Frick to Charles S. Carstairs, 1 February 1911

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from $1.00 to $1.20 net per ton. The rate on this coal from the Pocahontas Field to Lamberts Point on pier is $1.40 per gross ton, and dumping and trimming is about 7 cents. To this must be added the water rate, insurance and discharge at foreign port."

"I have in mind that if a regular line of steamers with a capacity of from four to seven thousand tons can be established, that it is not impossible that an arrangement could be made by which a through rate could be made and the division of the through rate be adjusted upon an equitable basis between the water and rail carriers. It is of great importance to our Company and to our producers and shippers that a market be established in the Mediterranean ports that will take a very considerable tonnage of our coal, and I have a number of people interested in this business making an effort to establish connections with water carriers for the purpose of establishing a market for our coal. If your party has capital back of him to establish a line of steamships to handle this business there will be no difficulty in his procuring coal at a fair price in any quantities that he may desire."

"My office will be in touch with my daily movements in case you wish to communicate with me further on this subject, and any communications will be forwarded to me."

I think you see wherein the difficulty lies. There is a wide margin after the coal is once free on board vessel, and the price your people think they could get at Genoa and Naples. The quality of the Pocahontas coal for the purpose they wish it

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