The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-08
INVESTIGATING
THE GIDEON
Did the Southern Give Him
Special Rates
THE COMMISSION
WANTS TO KNOW
BIT IT'S FREE CHIT AGENT DON'T
WANT TO TELL.
THEY WILL HAVE TO DO IT TODAY
Messrs Munscn and Potts Must Testify This
Morning at 10 O'clock. did Mr.. Nun
son Keep Mr.. Potts Away
Yesterday?

sprung another big sensation.
They began an investigation of the
charge against the Southern Railway
that it has Disseminated in granting
special freight rates to certain shippers;
among others to S. Ohio Wilson and
his mother, Mrs. n. J. Wilson, while
Ohio was Railroad Commissioner and
his mother was keeping the Round
Knob Hotel, where the Southern Rail-
way trains stopped for meals a-comin'
and a-gwine.
The Commission did not meet until
three o'clock. At O'Clock Division
Freight Agent J. 3. Munson and City
Agent r. L.. Potts were summoned to
appear before the Railroad Commission
to give evidence upon an examination
and investigation touching the rates
and charges for hauling certain house
hold goods by the Southern Railway
Company for S. Ohio Wilson and Mrs.
N. j. Wilson, from Raleigh to Round
Knob or other. stations on the Western
Railroad of North Carolina, during the
year 1897"
They were also commanded to bring
with them and produce. for examination
and inspection before the Board, all rate
books, records, memoranda or writings
or copies thereof in their possession or
under their control, in any way showing
+ the rate and charges made by the South
ern Railway Company and the amount
of money received for hauling the goods
of Ohio Wilson and his mother.
In response to this summons Mr..
Munson appeared before the Commits
sion, but Mr.. Potts did not, the sheriff
making return that he could not be
found. Mr.. Munson asked for time,
stating that he had not had sufficient
opportunity to examine his books
Chairman Caldwell-"Mr Munson,
ask you whether or not the Southern
Railway granted any special rate to
S. Ohio Wilson or his mother ON goods
to Round KnobY
Mr.. Munson-'I'll have to consult my
records
Chairman Caldwell-"Don't you know
from your personal recollection that
such rates were giveng'
Mr. Munson-"Tll have to consult my
records"
Chairman Caldwell-"Don you know
that application was made by Maj.
Wilson for special rates to Mr.. Ohio
Wilson on these roads?"
2 Mr.. Munson-''Ill have to consult my
records"
Commissioner Pearson-"Do you keep
a record Of all the verbal requests made
Of your
Mr.. Munson did not know that he
did of all.
Chairman Caldwell-"Did you have
Mr.. Potts to leave the city?'
Mr.. Munson did not answer this Ques-
ton, though he acknowledged that he
had seen Mr.. Potts since he himself
had been served with summons. He
could not say where Mr.. Potts was.
In view OF the fact that Mr.. Mum
son expressed wish to consult counsel,
Mr.. Pearson moved that the hearing be
postponed until 10 o'clock this morn
ing and that in the meantime the sheriff
be directed to make further effort to
summon Mr.. Potts.
In announcing this motion carried,
Chairman Caldwell said: 1T is my duty,
Mr. Munson, to state to you that the
Commission has an intimation that you
have been instrumental in causing Mr..
Potts to leave the city after you had
knowledge of the process citing you and
Mr.. Potts to appear before the Com
mission at o'clock this evening. And
I will say further, Mr.. Munson, that as
you were instrumental in causing his
absence, it will be to your interest to
have him here at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning"
At this point the Commission adjourn
ed to meet again at 10 o'clock this
morning to resume the investigation.
Mr.. Potts was seen ON the street soon
after the Commission adjourned. He
denied that he had either been out OF
Al 30 4I,A che
iff He had not been at his office, he
said, for the reason that he had been
busy getting his home ready for the re-
f1lrn Of his familv to thu city