Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-18
cover Of these difficulties there is some

ment. rs claimed by John l.. Lee, the
leader of the strikers.
Austin Corbln spent considerable time
on the stand. During his examination
ne Was asked 10y a member Of the com
mittcc whether the rumor which had got
abroad was true That the strike was end
cd. SIR. Corhin replied that he did not
know, but said that he had information
IN his possession which justified him IN
expressing the belief that the miners
strike mi both the Lehigh and Schuyl-
hl regions would be- ended within
week. His reference WA 10 the CORE
spondencc between himself and National
Naster-Worlman Lewis, published else
where.
There was considerable rasping be
tween Mr.. Corbin and members OF the
on several occasions to-day.
Nr. Corbin produced documents which
he had promised on "Wednesday and pre-
scented a copy Of the charter OF the two
companies. a. the outset Of his test-
monv Mr. Corhin said that the Reading
Cod and Iron Company had never been
engaged In the business of common
carrier. although its charter would have
allowed il TO do so. His attention was
called 10 the requirement Of the charter
Of tine Reading railroad Company
which required that It's president should
reside in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Corbin said Il live here.
"Where else? was asked.
~ have residences in New York, in
New Hampshire, and Long Island as
well.
SIR Anderson "Vherc do you have
yor washing done ~
Mr.. Corbin Indignantly u think
that it is deyilishly impairment to 60
into my personal affairs.
Mr. Corbin appealed TO the chairman,
and wastold that It was his own pleasure as
toanswcring the question, but be sup
posed that Mr.. Anderson was seeking 10
ret at bis residence.
Dropping this line Of inquiry the COM
nittee sought 70 obtain from Mr.. Corbin
something Of the history of the former
financial difficulties OF the Reading Rail
road Company. He said that the last
dividend OF tine company was paid in
1876.
"And, said Chairman Tillman, lit
will bee "a cold day when it pays an
other
Mr. Corbin objected to this sort of in
quiry, claiming that the committee bad
no power to go into possibilities of tie
future. and was considerably nettled
when the chairman insisted that It WIS "a
fair part OF the committees investigation
10 ask for any information Whatever,
although the witnesses could of course
refuse 10 answer.
II supposed" said Nr. Corbin, test
lily, beginning TO lose his temper that
this was 70 fair investigation. | did not
think Won came here Ia personally abuse
everybody connected with the Reading
Railroad Company and to call them
thieves and robbers
Chairman: 81 don't do that. am a
gentleman and can answer for what say
or do.
"Wen," said }lr. Corbin, 81 will
answer such questions to the people who
own the Reading Railroad Company. and
not 10 the public, who have NJ business
or no interest in it.
Nr. Corbn absolutely denied any
KNOWLEDGE whatever of any combination
now existing or that ever did exist to
limit the output Of coal and TO keep up
prices
st thi. point q very heated alteration
took place between Mr.. Corbin and
Chairman Tillman. Mr.. Corbin had be-
come somewhat indignant over several
questions pat 10 him by the chairman,
who sought to obtain from the with IS a
statement of the total Understanding
debt ior which the Reading railroad is
responsible. The chairman pressed his
questions aegressiycly, and 3lr. Corbin
finally appeared to lose his temper. d" |
don't think. said he. THAT ] should
be- treated IN this way, and | should
hike 10 ask this committee a question
about the report i'm the New York Times
this morning in which the chairman re-
fcrs to tine Reading railroad officers as
robbers and thieves. What business Is it
OF this committee to know, as It has
sought to find out. when We propose to
paw dividends ] am responsible to the
owners, and when they are not satisfied
with the management / will get out. "
Chairman: This committee wants 10
know whether YOU Will answer our ques-
tIons or decline. / am above using my
position TO abuse anybody, and you have
perfect right to decline to answer
THESE questions.
Mr.. Corbin Cexc.tedlv): "Then | de-
cline to answer those questions. | will
answer any proper question, but deny
the right OF TINS committee TO 60 INTO
our private business. -
Mr.. Illman then proceeded 10 ask the
witness by what means the company
hoped or expected, IN view Of the loss OF
5D per cent. OF It's business To pay the
enormous interest and the fixed charges
OF the company and its running ey-
peuscs. lie pressed the question further
and asked Mr.. Corhin what assets. what
moneys in hand what expectation OF
money, what promises OF money the
company had by which it could pay It's
way when 1t was being operated with a
loss of ID per cent. OF Its business
Mr. Corbin said that that was none Of
the business of the committee, and he
absolutely declined to answer.
After, further questioning Mr. Corbin
said: - wish the committee to under
stand that ! am ready TO furnish any in
formation that can in reason be expect
ed to. but | don't acknowledge the right
of the public to know the particulars Of
the financial condition of the Reading
Railroad Company
Witness also refused to say how much
of the stock Of the company he owned.
IL think now, said Mr.. Corbin, 1.-THE
Reading Railroad Company has passed
out of its muddy state, and will stay
out.
Tillman: The former president OF the
road, who testified this morning, did
not think SO.
Corbin: Wen, l do. and ! ought to
know. / have good deal of stock
in It, and l believe in it, or would not
have 1t.