Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-04
WASHINGTON NarEs.

| The Interstate Commission Hears the Reports From Many Railroads Rela. tive to the Issuance of Passes-An Explanation Demanded of the on. cfals in Oklahoma Charged with Cor. rupt Practices.
 WASHINGTON, May B. The Interstate Com- merce commission issued an order recently requiring large number of railroad carriers to appear at it's office in this city to-day ts answer and set forth before the commission the persons and passes of persons, if any, to whom each of them respectively have issued passes or free transportation to persons other than it's officers and employees and the officers and employees of other roads, and all the con- ditions and limitations connected herewith in each instance, and how they do this braeh of their business.
 In response to this order of the commis- sion there were present to-day about thirty five persons in behalf of their respective companies. Chairman Cooley announced that it was the commissions purpose to ascertain merely the facts and then to take such action as it might deem proper. He said that several compa- nies had already furnished the information asked for and they would not be necessarily represented to-day. He then proceeded to call up the cases of the different roads in order. The first was that of the Central Vermont railroad company, represented by President George T. Childs, who presented the information called for, and letters of the superintendents of divisions saying the or der against the improper issue of passes had been complied with. Witness being sworn stated to Commissioner Moreison that ninety per cent of the passes were issued to the officers and employees of the road and large part of the remainder to officials and employ es of other roads.
 w. H. Barnes, general manager of the Bos- ton and Albany, furnished number of lists showing the various passes given to officers and employees of the road and employees and others connected with various roads, express companies, telegraph companies with which the road has contracts. In reply to Commis- sioner Cooley he said there were also local passes issued. He was not prepared to give 8 list of them, but a record was kept. He did not understand that that was in the scope of the inquiry and preferred to hear from his counsel before saying whether he could fur nish it. Chairman Cooley answered that the commission desired the information, as it desired to know all the facts In in the case.
 W. P. Shinn, vice president of the New England system, and w. E. Barnett, of the New York, New Haven and Hartford rail road, presented the answers of their com- panies.
 Other roads gave their reports and the days session closed. The commission, how ever, will at some future time hear arguments from those persons who raised questions or will give them an opportunity to submit printed briefs.
 The President and the Secretary of the h. terior have called upon United States officials in Oklahoma, charged in the report of the inspectors of the Interior department with corrupt practices in connection with public 1oyI in haS for nr statement they may desire to make relative thereto. The report of the inspectors will not be made public at present.
 Samuel H. Phillips was to-day appointed a fourth class postmaster al Woodstock, Ct
 Messrs. Crsmp 6 Sons have informed the bureau of construction and repair under date of the 1st inst. that they propose to put steam on the engines of cruiser No 3, the Baltimore, on the 9th inst. and go on pre- liminary trial trip on the 10th of June. From information received from San Francisco it is expected that the new cruiser Charleston will go on her trial trip next Tuesday.
 The sentence of the general court martial in the case of Major George Lydecker, corps of engineers, who was tried on charges aris- ing out of the aqueduct tunnel matter, was made public this afternoon. He is to forfeit to the United States $100 per month of his pay for nine months and to be reprimanded in orders The court is lenient in view of evidence before it that in spaces so confined as those above the arch in the tunnel it was almost impossible to secure thoroughly good work under the contract system imposed by law. The sentence has been approved by the President.
 Secretary Blaine appeared at the State de- partment this morning, looking very well and showing no traces of his recent illness. Soon after his arrival, Sir Julian Pauncefote, the new British minister, came to the de- partment accompanied by Mir. Edward the charge d'affaires and Secretary Herbert, with several other attaches. The new minister yves introduced to Secretary Blaine who i'm mediately proceeded with the party to the White House, where Sir Julian was formally presented to the President. The usual felici. tous speeches were exchanged.