The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-09
ADVERTISEMENTS, NOT COMPLIMENTS
Edition. Foster Tells What nls Papar
Gave for Free Passes.
Tho Interstate Commission and tho
Boston & Maine Case.
Senator Chandler Creates Surprise
by His Non-appearance.

BosToN. October S-The Interstate Com
merce Commission, represented by Commits
sioners w. G. Veazie and Martin A. Knapp
gave hearing In the rooms Of the railway
commissioners today, on the charges OF
Senator Chandler against the Boston x
Maine railroad that the company had Issued
free passes In violation of the Interstate
commerce law. There were about a dozen
persons present. General Manager Furber
and Richard Olney appeared for the company.
Joshua Foster Of Dover, N. H., editor Of
Fosters Democrat. testified that previous to
the present year. his paper shad advertised
the Boston & Maine road to the amount Of
S45 year. His paper mad also held three
annual passes over the road. One was for
himself, another for his son and the third
was for the reporter Of the paper.
In January, 1890, a new system was pat
In operation. This was on account Of the
Interstate commerce law. The advertising
contract was continued as before, but In pay
ment OF 1t he received only $50 and three
annual passes were In payment for adyer-
tising
WAS there any understanding that the
columns Of your paper were TO be devoted to
the interest Of the railroad?" asked Chair
man Veazey.
"Neverw was the answer.
"No."
"Were you Influenced In anything that you
wrote BY the fact that you held the passes?"
"Do you think the railroad Intended that
you should be so infuenced2"
Ine only time thought so was when l
The letter was put in evidence. 1t formed
part Of Mr.. Chandler's original complaint
and read as follows:
BOSTON, June 30, 1891
Joshua Foster, Esq. editor Fosters Democrat.
MY DEAR sIR:-My attention has been called
to several articles that have appeared recently 10
that you see &c TO make on our RAILROAD are un-
warranted and are uDjustinable.
Under the circumstances 1t seems 10 me that 4
Is clearly against the interests Of this railroad
continue business with your firm.
WIN you, therefore, please discontinue our
vertlsements from your columns and return TO me
the passes which were given you under our adver
believe there are three Of them, one for your
sell one ior your son and one for your reporter.
JAMES Z. FURHKR,
General Manager.
The attacks alluded to were criticisms Of
tne stock Dill then before the legislature.
.'Have you ever been accustomed 10 allow
other people the use of your passes?"
never did so but once. and then II was
taken up."
used his pass, Mr.. Foster said that he was
In the habit OF coming to Boston three or
four times year, and to Portsmouth and
Portland occasionally. He could make no
estimate Of the actual cash value Of the pass
to him.
On cross examination, the witness said
he thought the passes were worth more
than the difference between the $50 now
paid and S45. IL was not true that the
passes were given for free cards In the
paper. MIR. Foster asserted that he had not
given the road any extra advertising be-
cause Of the issue Of the passes TO him. His
paper had not been influenced In anyway
the passes. 1t had said what 1t pleased
ABOUT pasa railway.
The Witness son corroborated his fathers
testimony. Chairnfsg- Veazie asked IL Mr..
Chandler, or any one representing him was
present but no one replied. Mr.. Chandissssc
non-appearance was the subject of much
| comment and the commissioners took occa-
sion to say that he had been previously noti-
ned. Counsel Olney will prepare brief and
present IL with his argument at future
hearing OF the commission.