The Washington times., 1903-01-15
OPERATORS SUMMONED J
BEFORE SUBCOMMITTEE
FOR FURTHER LIGHT
Philadelphia and Baltimore
Men to Testify.
ACTION IN JOHNSON CASE
Coal Dealers Letter Will Be Discussed
at Tomorrow's Session-Con-
gress Jurisdiction.

The session OF Senator Stewards sub
committee investigating the coal situa-
ton this afternoon was largely for the
purpose Of receiving the statement of J.
A. Lounsbury. local sales agent Of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
Company, concerning the receipts aud
distribution of coal in this city from
that company. and from Terminal Agent
Legge, OF the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road. as to the total receipts of coal in
this city over his line from all sources
since November l.
Tomorrow afternoon promises 10 be
more productive of results in the inyes-
tigafion Of the coal situation than any
preceding session of the committee. An
assistant sergeant-at- arms of the Sen
ate has gone to Philadelphia and Balti-
more to serve subpoenas upon the IN
dependent operators and middlemen who
have been placing such high prices On
their products.
The Operators Summoned.
Among those summoned and who are
expected to appear before the commit
tee tomorrow are Charles D. Norton. Of
Charles D. Norton & Co, Philadelphia;
X. Beaumont Whitney, OF the firm of
whitney & Kemmerer, of Philadelphia;
". D. Mason, representing the estate of
a S Van WinkIe, OF Philadelphia;
James Lynch, of Lynch & Reed. Balti-
more; and Robert c. Hall Of Hall Bros,
Baltimore. Other dealers viii be sum-
moned at a later date.
Il Is probable that the House Com
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fish
cries. which has been authorized to in
vestIgate the subject OF the transports-
ton Of coal. viii send a subcommittee
subject. A resolution to this effect was
adopted yesterday.
Worst Is Over"
Anoshef regolutien, Introduced by Rep
reseatati e Dayton OF West virginia,
authorizes all railroads engaged in in
I terstate commerce 10 transport coal
from the mines in preference TO all 9TH
er freight for a period of thirty days.
The resolution was referred to the com
migsee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce.
Among the best-informed dealers of
the city the impression prevails that.
barring an extended spell of cold wealth
er CT the interruption of traffic on the
railroads. the worst of the coal famine
is over
The Johnson Case.
Interest in the possible action OF the
Senate in the case Of V. Baldwin john
son. the local coal dealer. who has de-
clined TO furnish certain information
respecting his business. continued TO oe-
cupy the attention Of those who have
been following the coal situation this
morning No action will be taken by tho
committee in the premises until tonor-
row, when there viii be a full meeting
OF the District Committee Senator
Stewart viii then bring the matter to
its attention and the future course OF
action viii be determined upon.
Ii is intimated that for the purposes
Of the committee the demand upon Mr..
Johnson will be based upon the assunp-
tion that it is an Investigation into the
coal supply Of the Government depart
ments. over which Congress would have
unquestioned jurisdiction. The authori-
/ ty Of the committee would then be ab-
/ solute. and under section 103 OF the Re
/ vised Statutes refusal to testify could
not even be based upon the contention
that 10 do so would tend to degrade the
/ witness in the esteem of the community
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