The Washington times., 1903-01-09
Reading President to Explain
Conditions Under Which
Local Coal Dealers Are
Charged EXorbitant Prices
for the Product.
Question as to What Be
comes of Fifty or More
Cars of Anthracite This
Company Is Said TO Send
Here Each Day.

mere EdCn Day
Developments before the Senate Com
mittee on the District OF Columbia to
day made it evident that behind the
unpretentious resolutions directing that
committee to investigate the cause of
the shortage of coal in this city and that
of the excessive prices which are charg-
ed, is 10 be found the beginning Of an
inquiry that will be national n its
scope.
Interest today was centered IN the
appearance OF Y. Baldwin johnson TO
answer the question as TO from whom
he secured his supplies Of coal.
These .nea who are charging the 10
cal dealers from 100 10 200 per cent
more for coal than they did before the
strike are the very persons We wish
10 bring before this committee, and
shall insist upon your giving their
names Senator stewart informed him.
Sought Legal Advice.
Mr.. johnson had sought the advice Of
his attorney overnight. but prior to
going on the stand today he refused
TO say anything other than that he
would stand upon his rights in the case.
Another most important development
Of the session, and one that may 5e
fraught with the greatest significance,
was the absence Of James A. Lounsbury.
local agent OF the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Trcn Company, who has
the distribution of the coal throughout
the city in charge. Mr. Louusbury had
been requested to appear before the
committee. He viii now be subpoenaed
and brought before it
Immediately following the adjourn
ment of the committee yesterday, the
clerk teIephoned request to Mr. Louns-
bury to appear this afternoon.
Mr. Lounsbury. the clerk OF the commit
tee was informed. vas not in, bat the
message would be delivered TO him as
soon as he returned. This morning 5fr.
Lounsbury was in his Office at an early
hour. gave few hurried directions TO
the clerk in charge. and announced his
intention CT leaving Washington imme-
diately for Philadelphia TO consult the
Reading officials.
Mr. Lounsbury said that he had not
been informed that he was wanted be-
fore the Congress committee The enc
clerk that ordinarily does duty in the
Office said that the phone on this oe-
casion- had been answered by another
This clerk. he explained. had failed to
inform Mr. LOunsbury.
Machen Is Summoned.
Among the other witnesses who were
summoned to testify before the commit
tee this afternoon are 5. 5. Daish. OF
5. s. Daish & Sons; Charles Werner, a.
". Machen, superintendent of the free
delivery division Of the Postofiee De-
partment, and member of the coal
firm OF Maehen Bros; W " Bowie,
freight agent Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, and John F. Legge. terminal agent
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad The
Senate committee viii also call upon the
POstofice Department TO produce the
proposals for furnishing fue! to
fiscal year. as opened by the postofnce
officials last Monday. The members Of
the committee are desirous of securing
light on the subject as 10 Why Maehen
Bros. are able 10 supply coal to The de-
paTtment at S5-75, when other dealers
are compelled to charge prices running
as high as $9.43 for the very same article
As on yesterday the committee room
was crowded with those interested when
the examination of witnesses began.
Barry Bulkley. secretary Of the citizens
coal syndicate committee. sat TO the left
of Senator Stewart, who frequently con-
suited him
BaeT Nav Be Called
The significance Of the work UNDER
taken by the committee began TO dawn
upon those present as Senator Stewart
and other members of the committee
deIved into the secrets OF the coal trade.
It was announced that whoever could
shed the least light on the situation
would be summoned and It was intimated
that before the hearing was concluded
President George F. Baer. Of the Read
ing Company, and others connected with
the mining ard transportation of coal
would be called upon to give the COM
nittee the benefit Of whatever knowl-
edge they possess.
From the point Of view of those who
we're examined yesterday and today it
was made evident that the operators or
their middlemen were alone responsible
for the extortIonate prices The eqss-
nittee proposes TO ascertain just who
are sharing IN these excessive profits.
They want TO know why. II soft coal can
bo mined and soid at profit for 80 cents
last year. as was testified before T.. an
additional profit Of from 81 10 Ss ton
should be extorted row. Those who ara
responsible VIII be given an opportunity
to defend themselves before The commit