Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-01-15
ILLINOIS COMBINE
CHICAGO GRAND JURY is GIVEN
SOME EVIDENCE.
Owners of Railroads and Mines
Reap Rich Harvest While Poor
Suffer and Die from Lack OF
Fuel---AttOrney General Makes
Strong Statements.

Chicago, Jan. l2-Evidence of Grim
inal combination of Illinois coal mine
operators and owners and railroads to
control the market and advance the
price of fuel was presented in startling
array to the special grand jury which
was convened on Saturday by Judge
McEwan.
That the combination extends outside
the state of Illinois and embraces prac
ically the entire central west and east
was shown by the evidence placed be-
fore the inquisitor by Attorney General
II. j. Hamlin. The Illinois men
were charged with having started the
combination, and the cooperation de-
sired was asked from the surrounding
states.
That the Illinois Coal Mine Opera
tors Association entered into combna-
ton with the association of Indiana
was also shown by the testimony.
The most severe penalties were ex-
acted from those who Violated the
agreements.
And while the poor have suffered and
many have died from lack of coal. the
operators, owners, and railroad official 8
have been reaping the harvest of the
condition they created.
The most sensational evidence in now
in the hands of States Attorney De-
neen, and consists OF letters passed be-
tween the various operators and rail-
road officials, kilograms, and even, it
is said on good authority, a copy of the
agreement to conspire against the pub
lie interests.
A rate book of prominent local coal
firm, the head of which is million
aire, is in possession OF Attorney General
Hamlin, and will be produced before
the grand jury.
More than forty witnesses have been
summoned. and half as many more
will be called. Six prominent railroad
officials will be hauled into court and
must answer under OATH the fire OF
questions which will be put to them
by the states attorney.
A federal grand jury is to be asked
for, and a recommendation will be
made by the present inqnisitors for
such body, which will have wider
jurisdiction than the state grand jury.
The proof of a conspiracy is SO strong
that the government will propbably be
advised Of the developments, and action
from Washington is looked for.
The most important testimony of the
day was that given by the attorney gen.
eral, who was the last witness called.
His testimony was based upon the ev-
idence secured in the actual mining
fields and among the railroad centers
by his chief clerk, Felix Streyckmans.
During the past month the attorney
generals chief clerk and several other
agents have been keeping busy making
a secret investigation into the combina-
ton. This information, comprising vol
luminous report, was read to the special
grand jury. 1t showed
Combination of operators.
Combination of dealers.
Combination of operators with rail-
roads.
Combination of dealers with rail-
roads.
Triplex combination of operators,
railroads and dealers
Effort to form operators coalition
throughout coal mining states.
Absolute control of local market and
regulation of prices.
Penalties imposed upon members of
combine for underselling.
Large shipments of coal from mining
centers to other than Chicago market.
Thousands OF tons of coal standing on
tracks in vicinity of Chicago.