The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-02-26
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 26, ISo2.
THE READINGS LEASES.

q
letter from A. ]. Cassatt of Philadel
phia in which he claims that the pro-
visions of the constitution have been
violated by the absorption of the Le
high Valley and New Jersey Central
railroads, they being competing lines.
In closing he says:
Il have thought it right to collect
together and submit to you the facts,
which are all derived from public
sources equally accessible to you, SO
that you may have the situation closely
before you, and may take such action
as you deem proper and right, if the
consolidation of these competing lines,
under one control, with the avowed
purpose Of removing competition, and
Of securing the power to regulate the
production and fix the price of anthra-
cite coal, should seem to you to be
contrary to public policy, or to be in
violation of that provision of the con-
stitution which prohibits any transpor.
tation company from acquiring in any
way the control Of competing line. |
have the honor to be, sir, your most
obedient servant"
To this letter Governor Pattison
sent the following reply:
My DEAR SIR-Your communica-
tion of February I9, setting out state
ments alleging the consolidation of
connecting railway lines under one con-
troll for the avowed purpose Of remov-
ing competition and securing the pow
er to regulate the production and fix
ing the price of anthracite coal to be
contrary to public policy and in viola
ton of the provisions OF the railroad
article of the constitution, has been re-
Ceived and referred to the attorney
general to take such action as will en-
force the constitution and project
every interest Of the commonwealth"
The Governor has also received the
following letter:
DEAR SIR--In the absence Of any
uthorized form of making complaint,
take this means Of calling your atten-
on to the attempted violation Of the
institution of this state by the Phila-
elphia and Reading railroad compa-
ny. Within the last two weeks com
bination has b=en effected and the
Central Railroad of New Jersey and
the Lehigh Valley railroad company
have been absorbed by the Philadel
phia and Reading. The two last men,
toned railroads are parallel and COM
peting lines. if such exist within the
meaning of the constitution; they op-
crate in the same field and tap the
same coal beds.
Section four of article seventeen of
the constitution of the state is positive
in its declaration against such con-
:solidation OF railway interests as will
be effected if this gigantic trust is
formed. As a citizen of Pennsylvania
/ herewith enter a complaint against
the formation of the combination re-
ferred to.
Article seventeen, in every section
and clause, is being violated and set
aside by the actions of the Philadel-
phia and Reading company. If there
is in the constitution Of this state any
Authority for the action of the railroads
above mentioned |, as one citizen of
the commonwealth, would esteem it
great favor if it be pointed out to me
by the legal authority of the state it.
self. If there is no such warrant of
an authority in the constitution of the
state then demand, as required by
section four of article seventeen, that
he complaint be decided by jury.
lave the honor to be, very truly yours.
III Il. V. PowDERLY.
To this communication Governor
oattson replied:
Ny DEAR SIR-Your communica-
ion of February I9, calling attention
an attempted violation of the con-
,titution of the state by the Philadel-
,hia and Reading railroad company
las been received and referred to the
.ttorney general to take such action as
lie may deem necessary to enforce the
Constitution and protect every interest
I If the commonwealth. Very respect
ully, ROBERT E. PArTIsoN'