Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-05-04
Friday, May a, 1906.
LET THE GOOD WORK 10 ON.

the Interstate Commerce Commission
of the coal carrying roads is develop
ing a rotten state of affairs. 1t is
clearly demonstrated that the roads, or
those who manage the roads are en-
deavoring to mine the coal, squeeze
out the Individual operator, and take
complete control of the market, and
thus bleed the consumer just as they
please. The Norfolk and Western, the
B. & 0. and the G. & o. railways as
has been shown, are under the grip of
the Pennsylvania. and this is probably
the most constituencies corporation in
the list of common carriers. For years
the Norfolk & Western would not al
low any private or Individual operator
to connect with its lines, they would
not allow additional coal to be mined
along their line. This policy was
made distinct and express by Mr.. l..
E. Johnson. the President of the N.
u W. by this policy the Southwest,
which is underlaid with the finest coal
in the United States, certainly with
the greatest quantity per acre of any
other section, was impoverished. kept
in the back ground, and denied con-
nectlons or facilities.
The Pennsylvania railroad saw, as
well as the soft coal operators in Penn
sylvania saw, that they could not
compete with Virginia and West
Virginia coal. They saw that to live
they must destroy competition down
here, hence the accursed grip of the
Pennsylvania was laid on the B. & O.,
the N. & W. and the G. & o. railways,
and they were forced into the present
policy. 1t was illegal. it was in direct
violation of State and National laws,
but what did they care. They owned
congress and the courts, and the PEG
pie be -.
At last came on not exactly an earth
quake at first, but a strong seismic
disturbance, the Dawson letter was 8
distinct shock. aud then followed the
Gillespie Tillman resolution. The
Interstate Commerce Commission had
been at work in West Virginia, and
ordered the B. & o. to give the Red
Rock Fuel Company connection, and
the b. & o. had in terms told the
commission to go to -. a warmer
climate. This was too much for pub
lie endurance, and at once a demand
for investigation followed, and then
these freebooters began to hunt
cover. The B. & o. began to write to
persons trying to mine coal along it's
lines, making kind and interested in
quiries as to whether their Car service
was satisfactory, and whether they
were receiving the attention they
wanted, and possibly whether their
loved ones We're well, as well as many
other such friendly enquiries. Up to
the day they saw the coming storm
they had been mean, arrogant, criminal
in their demeanor and conduct. 1t
did not take these same miners long to
see and understand the cause, nor did
1t take them long to tell the railroad
how contemplate was such conduct.
The investigation is growing. 1t may
do no permanent good, but it has for a
time done some. 1t has certainly been
the means of making record whose
high authority can be relied Oh when a
denial of the railroads might be forth
coming, record which will be refer.
red to on every forum. and in every
avenue of information, even down to
the desplsed country newspapers,
which latter will impress these truths
on the mind of the remote reader and
voter with indellible firmness. 1t may
be asked how did these iniq uities 20 on
so long unchecked ? We answer, be.
cause the newspaper and the railroads
were in "cohoOt, % the press was muz-
zled. But last Janusry Mr.. Cassatt
took off the muZzle and today the facts
are laid bare, before they were stopped
over or suppressed Ask Mr.. Cassatt,
president, and Mr.. Thayer, vice presi-
dent, how came all these trou bles and
they will reply, The newspapers are
responsible for it,"