The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-02-23
Proven Guilty of Crimes That Would
Have Sent Him to Prison Had
EIkins Bill Not Saved Him
MADE REBATES TO HIS BROTHERS
Asked for an Investigation and Then
Withdrew Request With
out Explanation

Since the results Of the interstate COM
merce commissions inquiry concerning
rebates paid unlawfully to the Colo
RADIO Fuel and Iron company by the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad
company were made known, additional.
facts pointing to other violations of
law by the Atchison company have
come to light. They have been received
by the public with much interest, not
only because they relate to the pro-
jected railway legislation SO earnestly
desired by Mr.. Roosevelt but also for
the reason that they direct attention
rotary Paul Morton before he entered
the cabinet.
Reviewing, on the 18th ult., the
available evidence in this Colorado
Fuel case, we spoke of President Rip
ley's application for further hearing,
at which, it was said, it would be
shown that Mr.. Morton in no way de-
served censure for anything that had
been done. We remarked that Mr. Nor
tons side Of the case should be pre-
scented fully and without delay, in or
der that public opinion might be
formed justly But Mr.. Ripley has
withdrawn his application, Mr.. Morton
has made no explanation, and the COM
mission holding, as Mr.. Prouty said,
that the two companies had shown a
"barefaced disregard of the LAWS
about to lay the evidence before the
department of justice, with the expec-
tation that prosecution will follow.
Secretary Morton said to the public,
a few weeks ago, that the president
had asked him to take up the problem
of railroad supervision and that he had
consented to remain in the cabinet in
order that he might do so, and might
assist the president in obtaining need
ed legislation. 1t is natural and rea-
sonable, therefore that the public
should be interested in the record
made. by the. secretary while he was
: vice president of the Atchison and SUI
peryising the freight traffic of that
great company.
We have heretofore given the sub
stance of the evidence in the Colorado
Fuel rebate case. 1t is alleged that
rebates amounting to about $1,000 a
day were allowed for four years Cup to
November last) and that competing
company was thus driven out of bust
ness and virtually into bankruptcy
The traffic manager, Mr. Biddle, who
was subject to Mr.. Morton's authority,
assumes the entire responsibility for
what was done. Mr.. Morton has not
denied that recently to a newspaper
correspondent he expressed approval of
Biddle's action, saying that he would
have taken the same course.
There was published on the 21st ul-
timo what was said to be the full and
exact text of a pooling agreement
: (some 5000 Words between the At
Gibson and the Southern Pacific, COW
ering territory in southern California
and the southwest, dated May IS, 1896,
and signed by j. c. Stubs for the South
ern Pacific and by Paul Morton for the
Atchison. Provision was made for can
ceiling it after December 81, 1897, if
ninety days notice should first be
given. Mr. Morton declined last week
to discuss the matter. The question
whether the agreement is still in force
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