The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-25
Received Gifts.

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ness policy to have railroad men among
the stockholders of the coal companies.
Received Gifts.
Frederick Vrooman, an assistant train
master, told the commission that he had
received gifts of money in amounts from
s. to $50 from various coal companies
for fayors which he did not grant
The commission today received tele-
gram from a process server. who went to
Irwon, the home of Congressman George
F. Huff, who, it has been repeatedly tes-
tilted, made gifts of stock in various coal
companies to railroad officials. The tele-
gram stated that the officer was unable
to serve the subpoena on Colonel Huff,
as the latter locked himself in his house
and evaded the server by escaping by
way of the cellar. 1t was learned later
that he had left town.
When the interstate commerce commits
sion resumed its hearings today in the
investigation of alleged discrimination in
the distribution of coal cars. Frederick
Vrooman of Oseola mills, assistant train
| master on the Tyrone division of the
Pennsylvania railroad, was the first wit
ness. .-s....s
! Have you anything to do with the
distribution of cars?" asked Mr. Glas-
gov.
81 have"
did you ever get any money from coal
operators on your division?'
"Oh, yes
At Mr.. Glasgow's request. Mr.. Vroo
man named half dozen coal operators
| who had paid him money at various
times in amounts ranging from s. to $40.
Expected Favors.
"Why did they give you this money!"
| questioned Mr.. Glasgow
81 suppose they expected some favors."
Were the faVOrS granted?'
Not that recollect."
"rhen why did you take the money!"
well. if there was money to be given
out, was there to take 1t"
rs that your position now?'
at always has BEEN"
| The witness said there was no scarcity
of cars during the anthracite strike He
denied furnishing cars to certain COM
panies at $40 and $50 a car.
Victor WirInan of Camden, n. j.. as
| sistant superintendent of the Camden and
Amboy division of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, was the next witness. Questioned as
to his stock holdings, Mr.. Wirman said
he purchased 100 shares in the Saltburg
Coal company from Capt. Alfred Hicks,
for which he paid $500. The stock pays IL
per cent dividends. AT the time of the pur-
! chase he was assistant engineer of the
Pittsburg division
| j. Howard Patton of Greensburg,
brother of W. A. Patton assistant to
President Cassatt at Philadelphia, testi-
| fled that he occupies the position of agent
at the Claridge station of the Pennsyl-
| vania railroad, and is also superintendent
| OF the C1aridge mine of the Keystone
| Coal and Coke company. He said he re-
| ceived no pay from the railroad company,
| the wages of $50 a month going to his
assistant, who performs the actual duties.
Asked why he continued as agent without
remuneration, ne said he belonged to the
lot ion, of fha tel H.
vision and held the position for that rea-
! son.
"As superintendent of the Claridge
! mine." auered Attorney Glasgow. when
you want cars, how do you get them?"
II telephone to Lloyd HUNS office"
Reads From Records.
| Mr., Glasgow read from his records the
| tonnage of fuel coal furnished by the
| Claridge mine to the railroad, showing
| the total from 1901 to March /, 1906, to
be 1,235, 347 tons. The tonnage for 1901 was
| 1874 252 tons, and for two months of 1906
| s., 902 tons.
THAT is large increase in the supply
| of the railroads, is 1t not?' asked Mr.
Glasgow. The witness did not think 1t
was a particularly large increase.
Mr. Patton said he is president. He was
| Atlantic Crushed Coke company. He was
! asked If that company was not originally
| the Atlantic Coal and Coke company He
| said It was not but that the property
| was the same.
"Orginally owned by Knappenburg and
Kemp, was it not?" asked Mr.. Glasgow.
| Yes"
why did they sell out?"
| II don't know"
Wasn't 1t because they could not get
any cars which your company was get
ing all 1t wanted. and were frozen out?"
II really could not say"
After numerous questions. Mr.. Glasgow
brought the fact that when the COM
! many was recapitalized by 100000 bonds