Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-12-06
.UTAHLANDFRAUDS'
Interstate Commerce Commission
Continues to Investigate the
Coal Companies.
SECURED CLAIMS BY FORCE


Salt Lake, Utah. Dec. 1.--Interstat'
Commerce Commissioner p. F. Clark
continuing his investigation Of the
coal trade in the inter-mountain coun
try and their methods Of acquiring
coal properties, devoted most Of the
morning session Friday to the Den
yer G Rio Grande system and its
affiliated coal companies.
Charles Livingston, former chief
clerk at Sunnyside for the Utah Fuel
company and the Wasatch store, both
Gould companies testified that pre-
vious to August last both companies
enjoyed what amounted to secret
tariff of all material shipped to the
mines over the Denver g Rio Grande
lines. The companies also received
concessions over railroad lines. He
said that under these special rates
the coal companies shipped fire brick
from Pueblo at $55 per car, while un
der the present full tariff the rate was
$155 per car. He stated that all
freight bills were turned into the
railroad agent to Sunnyslde as cash"
and that the settlements between the
companies were made at some other
point.
Byron Crook, former secretary OF
the state land board Of Utah, was IN
certain as to how title to the land was
passed from the state Of Utah to the
coal companies. He admitted that
large tracts of land were SO disposed
of by the state land board, but said
he could not remember the amounts
paid or other details Of the transac-
tons.
Geo. D. Holiday, Of Salt Lake City,
told Of his efforts to acquire title to
tract Of coal land In Whitmore
canyon, near Sunnyside. He organic
ed the Holiday Coal company AMI
undertook to mine coal. Robert For
roster, Geologist Of the Utah Fuel
company, with ]. Kipman and other
men came to him, he said, and told
him that unless he got off the land
they would jump his claim. Later,
during his absence, armed men went
In and took possession Of his proper
ty, to which a man named Robert Kirk
en- set up a claim. Holiday testified
that he attempted to contest Kirkens
claim in the district court of the third,
Utah district, but every decision was
against him until he secured a trans.
fer Of the case to Salt Lake City. Mr..
Holiday told Of several conversations
with Robert Clark, superintendent Of
the Pleasant Valley Coal company,
and other officials Of the coal COM
panies, in which some times threats
we're made against him, and at other
lines efforts were made to buy him
out. Finally. firing of the struggle,
re sold out to the coal company for
$3.50
After the pleasant Valley Coal com
pany cause Kirken to Jump his claim.
Holiday testified, he went back to
the property but was driven off by
seven armed men and Kirken fired
shot at him. From the time Kirken
Jumped the claim, he testified until
be sold out his rights to the Pleasant
Valley company he was not permitted
10 go upon hts land.
This land, which Holiday located
In 1897, now is one Of the most val
liable coal and colSing properties own
ed by the Utah Fuel company.
The government agents have been
unsuccessful in their efforts to sub
poena Captain W. F. Cotton, reputed
cashier Of the Gould coal companies.
Auditor Williams testified that he
lid not know the whereabout of Cap
ain Cotton. He said he had not seen
he captain for six weeks.