St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-06
=
Upon the Inside Workings or
the NefaPiouS Coal Com
b.ne.
An CbSreperOus Witness TO
lie Hauled Before the
Senate.
One Frank Dealer Tells How
He Was Forced in The
Bureau.
Threats Became So Strong,
That He Yielded and En-
tered.


combine investigation is the wide con-
trast in the manner of the witnesses III
testifving to the facts. The committee
is certain that many of them labor very
hard to prevent giving true Statements
while others seem 10 be frank and nom
ast Some witnesses are afflicted by
very bad memories, and the words 1
don't know" appear to be very conven-
lent to Others. One witness last night
testified before the committee in an
omen and truthful style that was exceed
inglv refreshing. He had been scared
into Joining the combine by Rhodes,
under penalty of getting his coal
supply shut OFF. and another
testified that he had been told 10y
Rhodes that he must join or else be
forced to retire from business. Inc
former tried 10 hold out against the
combine. but he found that he eou!d
not. and he said Rhodes served notice
on him that if he cut prices he could get
no more coal. In contrast with this,
/ ,
been informed that they could not sell
lust as they pleased. to whom they
pleased, whether members OF the hu-
reau or not. This is an astounding con-
dition of things. The committee main
talns that there is a grave suspicion
that not all the witnesses are telling the
fruit. and pretty soon criminal proc
esses will be served upon the dealers
who are the most stubborn, and VINO re-
fuse to give facts on oath.
IL have two or three in mind" said
Mr.. Walsh last evening, who should
be made an example Of. Again some OF
the witnesses Subpenaed have treated
the subppuae with the utmost con-
tenpt. and they will be arraigned and
imprisoned for contempt. The commit
tee is resolute and determined not to
submit to any obstacles that the com
bine may throw in its way.
= saltwater Combine.
w. X. Wurdeman, of Saltwater, was
the first witness. He testified that the
Saltwater dealers had been organized
under the direction OF Rhodes. and that
the members paid HIM SO each. The
witness was made the manager. Mr..
Rhodes compelled them to organize III
order 10 get coal. He had received com
plants that Minneapolis parties had
been selling coal III Saltwater at cut
rates. and it was TO be protected from
this that the so was paid. The witness
produced some interesting correspond
ence with Rhodes, which was marked
and fled away with the evidence III the
investigation.
W. p. Guild, of West Superior, the
secretary CT the LehigI Coal company,
was put on the stand, and he testified
concerning the operations OF his con-
Germ. He had lived IN st. Paul, and
had been connected Wi1l several coal
companies, and knew a good many
more. 1t was in October that he re-
moved 10 West Superior to assume the
duties Of his new engagement. The
company he is connected with has
offices in ST. Paul, Minneapolis, West
Supetior and Duluth. The meetings of
the board Of directors and all records
are kept inst Paul.
You were subpwnaed to produce
certain letter written you by one JOnn
j. Rhodes,' SAID Mr.. Walsh. Have
you it with you?''
No, Sir
''Have YOU any reason to offer why
you haven't brought it?''
My correspondence is all in West
Superior" was the quiet reply.
Mr.. Walsh here read the letter in
question. 1t was an invitation to attend
one of Rhodes meeting.
Did you receive such a letter."
asked Mr.. Walsh.
Il think sO.'
"You have attended these meetings."
''lf convenient"
strainin@ The Point.
Mr. Walsh then read the copy of a
letter calling upon witness to remit
500. explaining that there were no
funds in the bureau. aud therefore the
bureau was compelled to ask tor a
larger remittance this month than the
contract called for. The letter fur
thermore mentioned a contract en-
closed; but witness memory was shock
ingly detective. lie could not recall the
contract, although he confessed the re-
ceipt of the letter. Subsequently he
qualified that he might have been mis-
taken about receiving this particular
letter. Witness testified that he paid
the money demanded.
MI Walsh produced the COPY of
dated Nov. %. and again the witness re-
.lapsed into a fOrgetful mood. He did
not remember the letter. The letter re-
lates 10 the price of coal. 1t was an ad-
vance of pea coal. and asks the consent
of the Lehigh company.
Witness was finally forced to a corner
by Mi. WalSb'S pointed questions and
he admitted that the dealers have an
agreement concerning the price of coal.
He then conceded that his company had
paid Rhodes $500.
Nj. Donnelly here took the witness.
He testified that he had attended several
meetings of the association ut which the
situation was discussed
1.-THE price Of cOaI?"
"NeS, SIR
The Lehigh company acts as agents
for the Eastern dealers or producers.
The witness thought the qua ity of coal
shipped to Minnesota is as good as that