The New York herald., 1873-10-16
A PHILADELPHIA INVESTIGATION.

A Committee Inquiring Into the Cause
OF the Non-Payment 90 Dividends ON
Several Millions OF Railroad Stock
The Pennsylvanfa Central to Explain.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. Is, 1873.
Some years ago the city of Philadelphia by
vote OF her Common Council. invested in the
stock OF the Philadelphia and Erie Railway to the
extent OF several million dollars. and as matter
OF consequence received thereafter her regular
annual dividends. Some time since, however,
this road was bought up and became part
OF the Pennsylvania Central, and SUBJ
sequently the Quaker City has received
no dividends. at ALL OF course an investigation
was demanded, which to-day was formally begun.
special meeting OF the Railroad Committee or
City Councils was held this afternoon, to receive
the report OF the subcommittee instituted to In
vestigate the non-payment OF the obligation re-
ferred to above. In their meeting DR.. Burnen,
chairman OF this subcommittee, stated that it was
wholly impossible to make an accurate report at
the present time, and that before anything salts
factory could be determined he had no doubt
that some expert in railway affairs would have
to be engaged. He said that the officers of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, who had become
the lessees OF the corporation in which the city
held its Stock earnestly asked this and to such
individual would willingly open their books. He
stated, moreover that by the consolidation act
passed in 1864 committees were strictly prohibited
from engaging In executive duties He also said
that the committee were determined have a
full investigation, and that, 1t might be complete
and perfect he thought an adjournment would be
advisable until the return OF Colonel Scott.
This statement was rendered In the form OF q
report, and Mr.. Roam moved that it be accepted
This caused a great deal OF excitement Tor The
moment, and the motion was severely censured.
"What IL the use ol,waiting until the return Of
Scott 7" asked one OIithe gentlemen presentlfhe
and subsequently, whenever they attempted to
make any investigation, have met with strenuous
Mr.. Lttleton. OF City Council, said That he had
received a pamphlet through the mail, purporting
to come from the Railroad Committee, asked
whether the document was authorized or not. lie
was answered that 1t had been circulated without
then said, there were certain matters in that
report requiring Immediate e. inyestigatlon and
letter M 0a rom saa Mr. rnompson one Of the
directors OF the Erie road, that there were
n "details know m 70 tins Said matter hs
lie had had an interview with Thomas Scout, and
that Mr.. Scott submitted to him a number OF
papers, which were all signed by q man named
Howard. with the exception OF one, which ap-
peared to be in the same handwriting as the
others All were In reference to this Investigation
The letter which was not signed agreed to furnish
q sswhitewashn report for the sum OF $3O0,e00
$50 900 OF which was to go to IT. a. s." whom Mr.
Scott presumed was meant himself. This
John John Bickeil, who, a!ync s' with Ii &C Certain
others consntuies me minority OF the Railroad
committee OF City Council TO investigate the mat
ter and there are inslnuatlons made, in consider
atlon OF the identity OF the handwriting, that
HoWaTd addressed the anonymous letter referred
to above TO Mr.. Scott. As this announcement was
made Mr.. Dolby, associated with Mr.. Bckel, OF
the minority, whose name was attached to the
pamphlet mentioned previously, arose and said
that the whole business was an attempt TO throw
unjust prejudice against Howard, and that there
proof that Howard wrote the letter.
The minority report was then read, but possessed
so lew available points tnat 1t was not accepted,
that both reports were cast aside the entire
subcommittee discharged and the matter referred
to the general committee, which will meet on Fri
day. and daily thereafter until the whole business
Is cleared up.
IL would take forty lawyers TO deduct anything
like conclusion from the dongs OF to-day. Tor they
involved perplexlties, Observation-Disclosures and in
nothing like satisfactory understanding can be at
present obtained