Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-05-19
COAL COMPANIES CHARGED WITH
GIVING STOCK TO RAILWAY
OFFICIALS FOR FAvoRs
GET SECRET REBATES
Sensational Testimony Given at Inter
state Commerce Commission Inves-
tIsatlon at PhiladeIphIa-Prominent
Men Are Aceused-PennsyIvania
Railroad oAleiaf Testifies.

Philadelphia, May 1s.-- Additional
evidence OF stock presentation by coal
companies to railroad officials was ad
duced at today's session of the inter.
state commerce commission. E. ].
Cleave, superintendent Of the Cambria
q Clearfield division of the Pennsyl.
yhnia railroad, testified that he had
ESQ shares in the Cochran coal compa-
ny which he received in partial pay.
ment for land sold to the company.
He said he had been offered stock in
other coal companies, but declined to
accept it.
F. L. sheppart, general superintend-
ent Of the United Railways of New
Jersey, said he owned stock in sever
al mining companies but couldn't re-
call the names Of some of these COM
panies.
Green Makes Statement.
Philadelphia, May 1s.-Tha following
statement was issued today by John
III. Green, first vice president Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad company:
Recent developments at the hear.
ing before the interstate commerce
commission in respect to the acquisi-
stion and ownership of stocks
In coal companies and the ac-
ceptance of gratuities by its employees,
are a surprise to the management.
While it is not believed that they have
caused any injustice to the public or
the company, the facts, with respect
thereto will be thoroughly Investigated
and no ownership or practice calculat-
ed in any manner to affect fuJl and
Impartial discharge Of the duty owned
by the company, its officers and en-
ployes, to the public, will be tolerated. .
g Paid Rebates.
The Pennsylvania railroad company
paid rebates to the Morrisdale Coal
company up to June, 1903, although
the Elkins act prohibiting rebates was
passed in 1901.
So testified Frank B. Wigton, head
of the Morrisdale company, before the
interstate commerce commission yes
terday.
Wigton's testimony created a stir,
because a few weeks ago Vice Presi-
don't Thayer testified before the COM
mission at Baltimore that the Pennsyl.
vania had paid no rebates since 1899.
CauSeS sensation.
The extent to which the coal compa.
snies have paid tribute in the form Of
cash and blocks of stock to railroad
officials, IN order that they might Sc.
cure favors in the way of cars. switch
tracks and other facilities to do busi.
ness, revealed in the testimony before
the interstate commerce commission,
has caused sensation. The most
prominent of the men to be accused
4 by the witnesses before. the commits
sion is Robert Pitcairn, assistant to
President A. j. Cassatt of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. John M. Jamison,
president of the Jamison Coal & Coke
company, yesterday declared that he
had given check for $4,000 to sup.
posed agent of Mr.. Pitcairn.
! State Senator c. L. Magee, in in.
Producing Mr.. Pitcairn at a banquet,
once said:
Gentlemen, l have the pleasure of
introducing to you Robert Pitcairn, a
most remarkable man. He has been
employed by the same corporation
practically all his life, has never re.
ceived salary of over $4,000 a year,
and yet has managed to save $2O,OOO,.
COO"
i. What Mr.. Magee said of his salary
probably was true until the ti..4e he
took his present position three years
ago. 1t is said he now receives S25..
900 year.