Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-10
Special Grand Jury Meets in
Chicago to Investigate
Into the Matter
CONSIDERATIONS CAN NOT ESCAPE
Attorney General Hamlin, of Spring
field, Claims Possession of conclus-
i've Evidence That Conspiracy for In
oreasins Price Of Coal on Chicago
Market, Does Exist.

Springfield, Ill.,, Jan 10.-At 4 o'clock
this afternoon special grand jury will
meet in Chicago to investigate the al
legged conspiracy between certain coal
operators, railroads and coal dealers to
increase the price of coal on the Chi
cago market. Attorney General Ham
lin left last night for Chicago. and will
lead the investigation. He took with
him evidence which he claims will show
that a conspiracy exists, and before his
return to Springfield the whole matter
will have been Thoroughly investigated.
On Wednesday afternoon special
committee composed of members of the
Illinois Manufacturers and Merchants
Association called upon States At
torney Deneen, of Cook county, regard
ing a special grand jury to probe the
alleged combine. Mr.. Deneen at once
took the matter in hand, and consulted
Attorney General Hanllin over the long
distance telephone Judge Hamlin, who
for several days has been Investigate
ing affairs out Of Springfield, assisted
by committee Of four members, fav-
ored the plan, as he had secured vast
amount of evidence to show that some
deal had been planned by which the
price Of coal on the Chicago and other
markets could be kept up. This even
ing Judge Hamlin received word that
special session of the grand jury had
been called.
Attorney General Hamlin secured the
services Of competent men, who visited
mines along the Chicago & Alton road,
and also other coal producing regions,
and the reports which they made were
favorable, and even went so far as to
convince Judge Hamlin thta the market
was being controlled by certain dealers
and operators. The last report to be
made to the attorney general was re-
ceived this afternoon and contained
some valuable information.
While the attorney general has not
made public the information with
which he has been furnished, he Is not
backward in stating that it will be sur
prising when 1t is offered before the
Cook county grand jury tomorrow. Be-
fore leaving for Chicago he said that
his evidence would show that certain
COal operators dHO ucdiSiS, SoiAtS w.
were interested in mines and some
who were not, had entered into an
by which they could control
the coal market. He did not state that
any of the railroads were Interested in
the alleged combine, altho he has also
on this point. Railroad Of
flcials state that they lose no time IN
coal from the coal produce
ing regions to Chicago, but that the de-
lay is caused by dealers there not re-
turning the empty cars in due time,
This furnished an important point Tor,
the inquiry, and on it several Interest
ing statements have been secured.
Judge Hamlin's agents have investt-
gated the.workings of mines In Sanga-
mon county, and has statements from
number Of them regarding the num-
Der of men employed. the total output,
the amount shipped and also the time
1t takes to transport cars to Chicago.
These facts will be given to the grand
Jury tomorrow, and it is not improbable
that several big coal operators OF the
state will be summoned to give testl-
mony. The attorney general corsid-
cred 1t better that the investigation be
conducted before a body which mad
power to administer oaths.