The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-03-01
THE READING DEAL.
Some Of the Legislators Apparently
Are Controlled by the Con-
tracing Companies.
Special to The jersey City Me,ps.

Spectdt 10 me jersey CITY Netrs.
TRENTON, March 1. 1S92.-Tommy Lanes
Committee which was appointed to in
vestigate the combination of the coal
carrying roads commonly known as the
Reading Deal" made a report last even
lug. The report set forth the pro-
ceedings of the meeting held at lay
lor's Hotel on Friday. and added that
the Committee held u meeting yes
terday afternoon, at which o letter was
read from S. M. Williams, Comptroller.
OF the Central road stating that Mr..
Williams had no desire 10 sh ow any dis
respect to the committee or the subpoena
OF the House. He was on his way 10 at
tend the meeting when he was met by Il
messenger boy who told him that the
committee had adjourned. The report
went on to say that the committee had
decided to issue new subp puas to all the
directors and officers of the railroads said
TO be ID the combine to appear before the
committee at its next meeting, which will
be held at Trenton on Friday at noon.
The report closed with the declaration
that the committee was determined to
obey the instructions Of the House as
fully as possible. The committee expected
to prepare O bill Immediately upon receipt
OF papers and information necessary to
guide it.
1t was understood by the committee
ehNp tAS VI CeEbdIu IdlLIOuuS uau
been cited TO aDpear before the Attorney
General OF Pennsylvania Oh Thursday
Win Such as they might have
relating to the subject. The officers of
the roads, the report added, had no hest
fancy in producing the contract and other
papers desired by the committee. The
report declared that at the meeting of the
House next Monday the committee pro-
posed to make a full report.
STABBED IN THE BACK,
Mr.. Lane busted himself with some
other business as the clerk finished read
ing his report, and he did not. apparent
ly, hear Mr.. Cole make a motion to dis
charge the special committee and refer
the question to the Committee on Rail-
roads and Canals. His attention was at
tracled, however, when Mr.. Nash sprang
TO his feet, and, in the style of oratory
affected by him, proceeded to ridicule the
committees assumption OF power in issu-
ing SUBJ 9nas. He wound up by moving
to turn over the whole matter to the At
torney General. Before MIR. Lane had
time to grasp the situation Nash's amend
ment was carried. The attack had been
young member from Union, but he pulled
himself quickly together and demanded
a hearing before the motion as amended
was put to the House.
IF this is adopted said Mr.. Lane
"you will make this legislature the
laughing stock of the country. Tn COM
mittee has been working diligently in the
interests of the people trying to ascertain
the facts about this alleged combination,
with the purpose OF breaking it up il it is
against The law. aud ii legislation is
needed, this committee has been author
ised to prepare any bill or bills necessary.
We have done our best under the circum-
stances and have acted all along under
the advice of the Attorney General and
Judge McDernott. 1t is reported to be
fI,a iutnntion nf This n,1i,ntto r. ,ojzo
the price of coal-one of the necessaries of
life, and those who seek to interfere with
the work OF the COMMITTEES are by their
acts trying to leave the trust un-
hampered in what it may chose to do"
PERSONALLY. / do NOT care" said Mr..
Heaney, whether or not this committee,
of which l am a member. is relieved OF
the work of investigation. but | do think
that the manner in which this resolution
has been brought forward is discourteous
to the committee. The committee has
proceeded in the best way possible to as
certain the ~facts.'
"And you've found rothingf" interject-
ed Mr.. Beekman.
Give us until next Monday and we'I
produce Something" retorted Mr..
Heaney.
Mr.. Beekman was very angry because
Mr.. Lanes Special Committee had SUI
perseded the Committee on Railroads and
Canals i'll the investigation. He said
that the Special COMMITTEES had been
guilty of a lot of tomfoolsrY that should
be ended at once.
Mr.. Potts moved that the investigation
be conducted jointly by the Committee
on Railroads and Canals and the Special
Committee, and this was carried.
MORE INVESTIGATION.
Another investigation was set ON foot
last evening by a resolution introduced
by Mr.. Hardin. The resolution set forth
that the Philadelphia and Seashore Rail- |
road, a competitive road with the West
Jersey, from Camden to Sen Isle City, had
been sold 10 the West Jersey Company and
that the latter was about to tear up the
tracks of the competing line, and thus
deprive the peorle of Southern New Jer-
sew of the bel 9 its of competition, and
directed the Committee on Railroads and
Canals TO investigate the matter. AS
the sale has been certioraried into the
courts, there was considerable doubt as
to whether the resolution was buncombe
or in earnest. IL was, however, adopted. !
A MATTEL FARCE |