The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-15
Presidents Of Coal Carrying Roads
May Make Statements
NATTER OPTIONAL WITH THEM
They vii be Given the Opportunity of
Appearing Before the Interstate
Commerce Commission - Resump-
ton of the Investigation Into the
Relations of Railroads and cal and
Oil Interests.
Oil Interests.

Philadelphia, June 1.-THE Berwind-
White coal mining company was the
issue before the interstate commerce
commission when ii resumed its inves-
tigation today into the relations of rail-
roads TO coal and oil interests. Prob
ably the important fact brought
out was that the coal company is allow
ed seven cents a ton by the railroad
companies for handling its car on the
Harsimus Pier. This allowance gives
the coal company about ST., 900 a
month for this service. The work is
performed, however, by Pennsylvania
crews, with railroad locomotives for
which the Goa company makes month
~ settlements with the railroad, the
mou of the monthly bill being some
thing over 800.
Charles Heebner, counsel for the
Berwind-White company aroused the
ire OF the commissioners when he old
them coal loaded into bunkers of
steamships was paid for by estimated
weight and that there was no determin-
ing the quantity of coal that remained
in a barge when the steamship did not
take the entire load. Commissioner
COckrell suggested that counsel vas
evasive at which Nj. Heebner indig-
nantly replied. we have nothing to
eVade," he declared, but ] don't know
how you are going to find out what you
are trying to learn, because we have NJ
| way Of knowing it ourselves"
Well we will stagger along the best
we CAM was Commissioner Clements
comment.
It developed through the testimony
Of Frederick MacOwen, treasurer OF the
company, that during d period when
cars were scarce E. ]. Berwind made
arrangements with the Pennsylvania
railroad by which his company secured
one thousand individual cars, several
hundred of which had been in service
of the railroad. Mr.. NacOWen detailed
the history of the Berwind-White COM
pany and explained the lease Of Harsh
mus pier.
R.. L. Franklin, assistant freight
agent of the Pennsylvania railroad, was
one Of the witnesses today. Through
him it was shown that out Of seven
claims for coal lost in transport four
made by Weston, Dodson and company
were not granted, and three made by
the keystone Coal and Coke company
were allowed. The keystone conf
pany's claims were allowed for delay
en- route, Mr.. Franklin said, but while
there might have been delay in the
case of the other claims itewas likely
that they occurred at destination for
which Tho nDnci1pnn woo nrnhn h1r
sponsible.
The presidents of the big coal carry
ing railroads will be given an oppor-
| tunity to appear before the commission
and make any statement they may de-
sire. Commissioner Cockrell said to-
day that invitations would be extended
TO the presidents of the Pennsylvania,
Baltimore and Ohio; the Norfolk and
Western; the Chesapeake and Ohio;
the New York Central railroads to ap-
| pear before the commission. No sub
poenas would be issued for the heads
of these roads and their appearance
will be entirely optional with he Off
Gals.
"You cannot condemn a man without
a hearing" said Commissioner Cockrell
"It has been the purpose Of the COM
mission to permit the presidents OF the
coal roads to make any statements they
may desire, but we are not yet ready.
We want all the testimony we a get
from the su%bordinates and then the
case in its entirety will be before the
commission and the railroad presi-
dents"
Commissioner Cockrell said the Off
cial notification that the commission
was ready t o hear the presidents would
probably be sent to them tomorrow but
he did not believe they would be heard