Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-25
THE "PENNSw INQUIRY
Coal Tariff in T0day'S Cues
tionings
BY THE |. C. COMMISSION
Further Revelations in Dealings of
Coal Companies
WITH "PENNSY" OFFICIALS
Relations of the Berwind White Com
BY THE |. C. COMMISSION
WITH "PENNSY" OFFICIALS
Relations of the Berwind- White Com
pany and That Railroad-Favor-
itism in Car Distribution.

PHILADELPHIA, May 25.-R II. Large,
assistant coal freight agent of the Pennsyl
vania railroad, was the first witness before
the interstate commerce commission today.
He was questioned concerning coal tariffs
from the bituminous region to Harsimus
pier at Jersey City. Counsel for the COM
mission read a clause In the tariff schedule
to the effect that the railroad has no facili-
ties at the pier, and asked Mr.. Large If
that meant that the pier had been leased
to the Becwind White Coal Company.
The witness said he understood the land
had been leased to the Berwind- White com
pany. and that the pier had been built by
the coal company. lie admitted that it was
operated only by the Berwind-White COM
pany, and any other company wishing to
discharge coal at Harsimus would be COM
PEELED to secure the consent of the Berwind-
White company. He had no knowledge of
any other company ever having used the
per.
Witness was then questioned concerning
allowances made by the Pennsylvania rail
road to coal companies which operated
spurs branch lines from their mines TO
the main line of the railroad. He said an
allowance of 10 cents a ton given to
the Wildwood Coal Company for this serv-
ice the Latrobe- COnnellsvlie Coal and Coke
Company received an allowance of II cents,
and the Glen White allowance of 10
cents ton for similar service.
Allowance for One Company.
Attorney Glasgow asked the witness if
It was not a fact that for twelve years
prior to 1902 this allowance was made to
the Latrobe- Connellsvllle company when
that company had no engines of its own
and the spur was operated by the railroad.
Mr.. Large had no knowledge the sub
jeCt. but c.. Searles, general coal freight
agent, who was sitting close to the witness,
told the commission that such was the case,
and that it was after. 1902 when the rail-
road learned the coal company had no en-
Eiues.
Mr. Glasgow asked the witness if the
Susquehanna Coal and Coke Company OPP
crates the Greenville pier in New York
harbor. Mr.. Large said yes. This COM
pany is hard coal concern owned by the
Pennsylvania railroad Mr.. Large said the
pier was leased by the railroad to the coal
company and used for loading supply
coal on tugs. The Susquehanna company,
he said, contracted for soft coal and han
died both anthracite and bitumnous the
pier, An allowance was made to the com
pany for diSCharging the coal. No other
coal companies made use of the pier.
Certain Coal Not Weighed
when trains of coal were made up in the
Pennsylvania railroad territory for the
Berwind-White Company they went through
asked Mr.. Glasgow.
Yes"
1T was not weighed them
"No."
Why uot2'
principally because of the freight con-
gestion in the Altoona yards"
Commissioner Knapp wanted to know
how the weight determined and the
witness said the rate was applied on the
maximum capacity of the cars Mr.. Large
was not certain whether the coal shipped
by other companies allowed to pass
Altoona without being weighed The coal
IS now being weighed.
What I trying to determine said
Mr.. Glasgow, is that large shipments of
coal made by BerwindW White to tidewater
were not weighed"
THAT is true
Reverting TO the question of allowances
to coal companies, Mr.. Glasgow asked the
witness If any allowance was made TO the
pennsylvania Coal and Coke Company.
Mr.. Large said no, because that company
operated its branch voluntarily and that
the Pennsylvania railroad would prefer TO
do the work
Hasn't the Pennsylvania Coal and Coke
Company complained that the railroad re-
fuses 10 make It an allowance for the same
work for which allowances are made TO
ether Companies?"
Il believe there has been some com
plant"
One Company's Business Ruined
F, \. Won Boyneburgh, general manager
Tor Reakirt Brothers & Co. mine operators
testified that the business of the company
rad been practically ruined through ina
hility 10 secure cars. From 400 cars IN
1901 the supply was reduced gradually 20
522 in 1903. The witness said that at one
period his company was compelled TO sell
coal that cost Sl-4S to produce as low as
Sl.O5 In order to keep the miners at work
The mines. he said, had been operated at
loss for the past two years and a half
He had complained he said to almost
every official OF the Pennsylvania railroad
but got no relief
Il believe" said the witness that s,me-
bcdy high up gave orders to freeze me
out and all Of the others simply followed
instructions. / believe A. ]. Cassatt is re-
sponsible- believe through the community
OF interest plan he controls most of tie
railroad systems. and that plan has WORKED
grievous harm to many shippers"
20 10 you GU believe this policy has been
operators?' asked Mr.. Glasgow.
Companies Favored by "Pennsy."
Most assuredly. The Berwind- White
Company, the Keystone CcAl and Coke
Company, d. E Williams e Co. and Others
have been favored"
Why were you not so favoredY'
Il suppose because 1 didn't give the rail-
road officials shares of stock In our COM
pany."
The witness said there was no system OF
rating. Amy method the railroad saw Mt
10 introduce IL did So" he said
He had written 234 letters to the railroad
company asking for relief
ID. Z. Williams and G.. Brinton Roberts of
ID. L. Williams & Co. testified that their
company had suffered from car shortage.
Mr.. Williams said he had never particl-
pated in special distribution of cars, bur
Mr.. Glasgow read a telegram ordering a
special assignment of cars to his mines Mr.
Williams said he knew nothing OF it.