New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-22
COAL And OIL INQUIRY.
The IfilDian Resolution Made More
Definite.

Washington. Feb. 21-At the suggestion of
Senator Tillrpan the House Committee on Inter-
state and Foreign Commerce made an amend
ment to-day in the resolution which 1t has
agreed to recommend for favorable action for
the investigation OF the alleged railroad monop-
oily OF coal and oil. AS the resolution was orig
inally framed it provided for an investigation
by the Interstate Commerce Commission as to
whether railroads own the coal and oil they
haul but it was the purpose OF the committee
to extend the investigation definitely to the al
legged railroad ownership OF the mines and oil
properties. To make the resolution clearer an
amendment was accepted which specifically pro-
vides for the investigation of the ownership OF
coal and oil companies.
The following report has been prepared by
Representative Townsend. at the request of the
committee, to accompany the resolution:
This resolution amends Senate Resolution 80
by including all kinds of coal and oil and the
ana cohtroI IN coal and other lands and proper
ties and by excluding all ''other products" 1t
is reported by the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce that charges from what seem
TO be reliable sources have been made against
various railroad companies engaged in inter-
state commerce TO the effect that such compa-
MES have an interest, either directly or fndi-
rectly, in coal and oil which they carry, to the
disadvantage of competing owners; that they or
their officers have an interest or ownership d.
rectly otherwise, in coal and oil properties
served by their roads, and through the dis
ties OF transportation and shipment discriminate
against the so-caned independent owners; that
by intercorporate ownership OF the stock Of
other carriers of coal and oil, together with own
ership OF such stock by certain of the officers
Of said companies, control of such other carriers
is obtained, and thus combinations in restraint
of trade and commerce are formed which work
an injustice to the independent shippers Of coal
and oil and great wrong to the consumers or
those products.
If upon investigation such charges are estab-
lished by facts. the Congress should be informed
~ha-a m ha and ~
such companies violating federal law and
whether any additional legislation is necessary
Representative McNary, of Massachusetts, IN
PRODUCED a resolution to-day instructing the
President TO have the Interstate Commerce Com
mission Investigate the alleged control and own
ership Of anthracite coal and mines by railroad
combinations. The resolution specifically re-
quires that report be made as TO whether the
anthracite carrying roads. In combination. fix
the price OF anthracite in April each year, TAX
ing stove coal size as basis. $3.50 ton f. o. b.
New-York. taking one-third of such price as
the carrying charge for such COAL and whether
they advance the price 10 cents month, up TO
and including September /, taking one-third or
such advance Of 10 cents month as their snare
for carrying such coal"
The resolution also suggests that the charge
Of one-third OF the price of anthracite is exces-
sive for the two hundred mile haul to New-York,
the Pennsylvania Railroad hauIs coal TO PL1l-
adelphia, two hundred and sixty miles, for an
average Of 81 - a ton, and the Chesapeake and
Ohio and Norfolk and Western roads haul btu
rninuous Virginia coal three hundred and ninety
miles for 81 So a ton An investigation OF these
rates is asked. also Of the alleged shortage OF
cars IN the bituminous fields from August and
through the winter.
Representative Esch Of Wisconsin. introduced
a bill to-day TO prevent common carriers and
officers OF common carriers from having any IN
terest In companies engaged in mining, manu-
featuring or trading in any commodity trans
ported by such carriers. Fines Of from $1,000
10 $1,000 and Imprisonment for from thirty days
TO one year are provided as penalties for viola
ton Of the proposed law.