Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-18
WANTED TO KNOW TOO MUCH.


| Washerwoman-"A Personal Matter"
| PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. lS.-The first
witness before the Reading strike investiyat-
ing committee Friday was Q. E. Smith,
| once president of the Reading and now
| a bondholder He resigned his official CON
uection with the road as a director in 1876,
because he believed the reports were cooked
up by dishonest officials who were gambling
| in the stock. The actull debt of the com
pany was about so, 900, 000O of which he
thought SIS, 100000 was water, having been
| issued to pay dividends which were declared
| though not earned.
j. A. Sweigard, general superintendent of
the railway company then took the stand.
| He told the committee that after good deal
| of com plant from the men of low wages,
| long hours, etc, he made an agreement with
them that no strike was to take place until
| a committee had seen him. Things worked
smoothly after that until September, loo7,
when the men, as stated in these dispatches
at the time this present strike occurred re-
| fused to move trains because they were
| loaded with freight to companies employing
non-union men. Sweigard's testimony was
| then a rehearsal of the incidents of the
| strike pretty much as they have boon pub
lished He, however, particularly denied
that the strikers had ever offered to him to
go back to work December Ct, as Lee and
others had testified before the committee at
Washington City.
As Sweigard was closing his testimony,
President Corbin walked into the room, in
keeping with his promise, and was called be-
fore the committee again. He produced
copies of the charters of the Reading rail-
road and Coal and Iron companies, and iden-
titled them as such. Anderson then asked a
few questions as to the action of the compa-
MES under their charters and proceeded next
to find out where Corbin lived, as the char
ter required the president of the company to
live in Pennsy lvania. Corbin said he lived
in Philadelphia, and upon further question:
ing replied that he had residences in New
York, New Hampshire and Long Island.
Anderson's next question was:
"Where is your washing done"
Corbin Indignantly We'll, think it dew
ilish impertinent to go into my personal af-
fairs like that. I'm trying to tell you all
know.
But Mr. Corbin," appealed the chairman,
soothingly, ~ don't know what he wants to
get at, but infer that Mr.. Anderson is only
DESTROYS of ascertaining your domicile"
Corbin-I think have given him that
pretty clearly, but can show him my wash
ing bills If he wants them. [Laughterl
Anderson said that such rendering was
altogether Unnecessary, and finally concluded
that the point was not important enough to
press.
Tillman-Tne Reading Railroad company
has been embarrassed for great many
years. has it not, sirl
Periodically, yes, SIR" He said further
that he would consider correct everything
Mr. Smith had said on the subject He
thought the last dividend paid was in 1870.
"Seventy-six, SO long as thati" said Chair
man Tillman, gasping for breath as Bespoke
Nov, isn't it fact that it will tie long
cold day before the company pays another
dividendfn
as that a part of this investigation"
asked Corbin. "That's a matter between me
and the stockholders.
"Well, I'll show that what | ask you V
pertinent" Tillman retorted.
al supposed that this was fair investiga |
tion, and did not suppose you came here to |
personally abuse everybody connected with |
the Reading railroad and call them thieves,
and robbers.
a don't do that" said Tnlman, Il am a !
gentleman"
swell, sir, shall tell you that said Cor. |
bin, "when tell the stockholders and when |
am ready to answer the question"
When asked to give the debt OF she COM
pany Corbin referred the committee to "A
STATEMENT OF the company as containing Tue ]
exact figures.
Read 1t, Mr., Clerk, said the chairman,
and the young man so addressed proceeded to
wade through the labyrinth OF figures such
as is usually found in railroad reports BE-
fore he got any where near the total funded
debt, Chairman Tillman said, THAT win
do aud every body laughed Turning again
to Corbiu this chairman asked him II no did
not say when on the stand before that the
debt was ia the neighborhood Of 5000. OOO. 900,
well, then, what do you ask mo 10 state
II again fort / can not see what business OF
yours it is, said Corbiu.
why, sir, said Tillman, ITO find out Just
whether You expect ever to pay a dividend
Again."
Corbin-It Is none Of your business whsn
we pay n dividend. intend to treat you
fairly IL can, but I don't think you arc
treating me fairly. | might ask you % OF.