Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-18
MUST FIX THE BLAME.
Stockholders Of the Castle shannon
Railroad Company Are
DEMANDING AN INVESTIGATION.
Pennsylvania Company Employees Refused
an Advance In Wages.
EIGHT.HoUR MOVEMENT UNSETTLED

The sensation expected at the annual
meeting of the stockholders OF the Castle
Shannon Railroad Company yesterday de-
veloped in very mild form, and yet with
sufficient strength to convince the directors
of the company that they must fix the blame
for the delay in the completion Of the new
incline where it belongs.
Ever since it was discovered that mis-
take had been made in the construction of
the machinery for the new plane. those
responsible for the mistake have been able
to shift the blame from one to another until
it has seemed impossible for the directors to
ascertain who was at fault. When the con-
tracts were let for its construction a sub-com-
mittee of three members from the Board of
Directors. together with the engineer, took
charge of the work. Plans and speciica-
tions were made and the work was done.
Robinson, Rea & Co. built the machin-
cry, and after the plane was completed, 1t
was found to be impossible to operate it.
Some of the machinery was found to be
weak and other portions of it had been placed
50 as to bind.
Results of an Investigation.
An investigation was at once instituted,
ana it was found that Robinson, Rea & Co.
had followed the specifications exactly, so that
no blame could rest upon the builders of the
machinery. The only conclusion that could be
arrived at was that the plans had been. incor-
rect. and to discover who was responsible for
them being so was next on the programme.
A gentleman closely connected with the con-
cern Is authority for the statement that at
recent meeting of the Board or Directors tho
engineer and the subcommittee were called
upon to give an account of the matter, and
that the former made partial admission that
This did not satisfy the board, however, as 1t
was generally understood that the engineer had
followed the suggestions of other heads. and
beside, IL the blame was fixed on him his finan-
cial position was such that they could not re-
cover the loss from him.
1t was announced that the matter would be
brought up at the stockholders' meeting yester-
day. and that some lively scenes might be
looked for, but some of those who were forcing
the issue did not get to the meeting, and others
who were there were satisfied with pledge
from the incoming Board of Directors that the
matter will be sifted to the bottom, and at the
next meeting the stockholders will know who
is responsible for the mistakes and consequent
delay in starting the new plane.
Work of the Road for a Year.
The nineteenth annual report of Secretary
and Treasurer E. J. Reamer was submitted as
follows:
S,2S 50 over business of last year. The earn
ings from passengers. packages and freight
show an increase of 81. 85S 81 over the previous
year. Your bonded debt was increased s44, 500
by the sale of bonds to that amount during the
year from the new issue of $500 000 The bonds
amounting to $4,000. wero provided for from
the sale or exchange of an equal amount of
the new issue, and the old mortgage satisfied on
the records.
''The prospects of the company for the coming
year are very much better than for the past
year. The gradual return to coal by the mills
crease in the sales of coal. Your new passen-
ger and freight plane, SO long delayed in con-
struction, will be completed and ready to
operate about March l. This will add largely
to the passenger and freight receipts. With IN
creased earnings in both coal and railroad de-
partments, and the opening up of several tracts
of land for the sale of lots adjacentto our road,
there should be largely increased earnings dur
ing the year. 4
''Total receipts for the year amounted to S75,-
67l Co. and expenditures s6S s2l II. The assets
OF the company are $40. .260 II, offset by iabili
ties amounting to $2l3, Ia 81"
Popularity of Suburban Homes.
Superintendent jain reported that there
was an increase in the number of passengers
hauled over th~ previous year of &c, ,349, show
ing that the tendency of the population is to
seek suburban localities for residen. purposes.
There was also an increase in receipts of about
S5, GOO.
The following officers and directors were
elected: President, Walter Chess; directors,
Jacob Geib, L. S. McKallip. James NJ. Bailey,
w. II. Brunt, p. +. Schuchman. James r. Red
man. q, Dana Rolfe, Charles Zugsmith, Jr. ].
Hays Euwer and ], NJ. Conroy.
Mr.. Reamer was seen after the meeting in re-
gard To the controversy over the construction
OF the new plane. when he said:
II am sorry this thing has happened but
there is no use making fuss over it now.
made mistake and the new board
has promised to find out who is to blame. The
financial loss we have sustained is not drop In
the bucket compared with the loss OF time and
delays caused. Part of the machinery was
strong and would have worked all
right, but it was set wrong and could not work
The big wheel was too light
and woIld have given us trouble anyway.
"The new wheel was made in Cleveland. 1t
weighs Is tons, and is on the way here now. As
soon as it is put In, which l expect will be
about the first of the month, we will start the
plant and think 1t will operate all right"