The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-10
RAILROAD MERGER
INQUIRY CERTAIN
Congress Awakens to Popular De-
mand for Light on Big
Combines.
Special to The Journal.

special to The journal.
Chicago, Feb. 1O.-A Washington spe-
cial to the Chicago Tribune says:
Investigation OF the entire eastern
carrying railroads, has been made prac-
tically certain by the developments of
the last two or three days in congress.
The house Of representatives in par
ticular has tasted blood. Before it
passed the railroad rate bill practically
every one Of the representatives un-
burdened himself Of a speech. Most Of
these addresses were in vehement oppo-
sition to the railroads and to make good,
the representatives of the people are
only too glad now to investigate any
body or anything connected with rail
way transportation.
The fash in tho pan caused by the
defective resolution passed last week
and the reply made by the interstate
commerce commission have directed the
| attention of congress to the fact that a
merger of far greater proportions than
was indicated in the Gillespie resolution
unquestionably exists, whether it be
contrary to law or not.
| Investigation Imperative.
So much has been said both in the
senate and house and SO many wild
/ charges have been made, that an official
| investigation Of the whole subject has
become imperative. The investigation
surely will spread far beyond the limits
already contemplated and will involve
not only the Pennsylvania and it's col
lateral systems, but the New York Cen
trail and West Shore and more particu,
larly the control of the coal roads run.
ming into the anthracite regions.
! All this involves going into the fight
between the Vanderbilt and Pennsyl
vania interests and the Gould system, sc
the present outlook is for an extensive
investigation embracing pretty much al
the trunk line systems from the Mis-
sissippi valley to the Atlantic.
Merger Holdings Known.
Aside from the futile thunderings Of
southern democrats like Tillman ant
Gillespie, who have only long range
lens, the republican leaders themselves
are coming to the conclusion that publ,
sentiment demands satisfactory in
yestigation and their preference is fol
one conducted by the Interstate com
q merce commission, which ought to bl
q able to get at the bare facts Of railroad
{ ownership, inasmuch as those facts ar,
q pretty well known, to every stock oper
ator in the country.
Mduy uSuUeFS anu senators nave re
ceived dozens and scores of letters pu1
porting to give information as to the al
legged illegal combine of the easter
railroads. There is an immense amour
of transformation in all these letters
s but there is enough truth evidently t
]. justify serious congressional action.
Denial of Charges.
J Pittsburg, Feb. 10.-James Mere.
Q first vice president of the Pennsylvani
IS railway, operating the lines Of tn
: Pennsylvania system west of Pitt
y burg. made statement today denyin
It the charges contained in the letter {
IS Governor Dawson of West Virginia t
!, Senator Tillman, which was read in til
r, United States senate Monday. Mr.. M
Rea said: -
1t "The Pennsylvania is not and neve
T. has been an owner or miner Of bitumil
It GUS coal, either directly or indirectl
II or, therefore, could not have influence
o West Virginia roads in which it is il
u terested to suppress development
y that state to protect it's own coal int
- ests. Certainly there has been /
~ prompting on the part Of the Pennsy
= vania in regard to the Red Rock cas-
u d or any other similar case" -. r.