New-York tribune., 1906-06-08
M'CREA TAKES STAND.
TESTIMONY n SURPRISE.
another Clerk Says He ReceiUed
Gratmities from Coal Com panies.

McCrea, first vice-president OF the Pennsylvania
I Company, which operates the Pennsylvania Rail-
road lines west Of Pittsburg. appeared as a wit
ness before the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. Mr. McCrea expressed himself as favor
able TO publicity in the rating of mines and the
distribution Of cars. He surprised tho commits
sioners and their counsel by announcing that
Tor nearly two years and up to the time of
President Cassatt's recent departure for Europe
the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Rail
road. Of which he is a member had been con-
sidering means for eliminating the private car
from the lines Of the company He declared the
company had concluded that the use Of these
cars unwise
Mr.. Glasgow asked Mr.. McCrea when President
Cassatt decide TO stop rebating-
'Just so soon as he got control Of the Penn
sylvania Railroad. That was in 1ss9" said Mr..
McCrea
simultaneously the community of interest
plan was adopted. was 1t nOt?" was Mr.. Glas-
COWS next question.
Mr. McCrea said he was not certain as 10 that
He then entered into long explanation of the
rebate system. and declared that the directors Of
other roads were pleased with the idea of abol-
ishing it when the subject was brought to their
attention
He said he thought it questionable if rebating
would have been voluntarily stopped by the rail-
roads. After replying to numerous questions
Mr.. McCrea admitted finally that the rebating
stopped when the community Of interests plan
started He asserted that the shipper was never
so fairly treated as now He has stable rates
and is placed in a fair position with his COM
pettors.
Mr.. McCrea also told the commission that he
had resigned from the investigating committee
appointed by the directors of the Pennsylvania
following the revelations OF the commission be-
cause he did not want to be IN the position Of
investigating the lines under his jurisdiction He
declared himself opposed to officials or employees
holding any personal interests which might clash
with their official duties.
ANOTHER CLERK GETS MINING STOCK.
There were other interesting developments
during to-day's hearing. which was protraCted
until o'clock tonight Joseph K. Aiken. chief
clerk to A G. Mitchell. superintendent Of the
Monongahela River division of the Pennsylvania
Railroad. admitted owning stock in numerous
coal companies some of which was given to him,
while for the other shares he paid a privileged
price He also testified to having paid to Joseph
Boyer. former CHIEF clerk to A W. Gibbs. cents
a ton commission for fuel coal which one of his
companies furnished to the railroad. 1t was "a
business transaction he said.
S F. Potter. president Of the Donohoe Coal and
Coke Company which operates in WestmOreland
County. charged that the Pennsylvania Railroad
had committed gross discrfmina tions in the dis
tribution of cars to his company One car
day was his allotment for seven months, he as
serted He said also that a detective sent by his
company to determine the rating Of the Loyal
Hanna mine had been fired upon
At the outset Aiken showed disposition 70
spar with Nr Glasgow. After almost every
s+O fO
upon the ceiling and then repeat the question
before answering. He told Of large coal COM
pany interests which he said he had purchased
with his own money. When Mr.. Glasgow wanted
TO know how he got the money he answered.
by judicious investment OF my salary"
Joseph b. Boyer. chief clerk In Mr.. Gibbs's
Office" said Mr.. Glasgow. testified yesterday
that you sent him money"
Well did
How much?"
4 gave him Eve cents ton for fuel coal which
the Dunkirk Coal Company furnished the rail-
road"
why did you give him the five cents TONI
"Oh. I thought he would like some Of the
company's business and paid Boyer five cents
a ton commission for getting the business for
us That l believe. was the recognized COM
mission"
You wouldn't have paid Mr.. Boyer that COM
mission if he did not hold the position he occu-
pied with the railroad would your"
Certainly not 1 wouldn't pay him five cents
a ton for nothing"
RECEIVED CASH FROM COLONEL HICKS.
Asked if he ever got any money from coal
companies Mr.. Aiken said Colonel Hicks had at
various times sent him checks for $50. He re-
ceived about $3.50 in that way.
'Tf Hicks hadn't had operation on your
division you wouldn't have got that money.
would you?"
That's self-explanatory." interiected Commits
sioner Cockren
Yes. self-explanatory." repeated the witness.
Asked as to his stock holdings. Mr.. Aiken said
he has 500 shares in the Braznen Coal Company.
for which ne paid $4,000 cash
Mr Aiken said he also has 25O shares in the
Dunkirk Coal Company. for which he paid $17-
900. 500 shares in the Pittsburg and Westmore-
land Company, for which he paid S12.5OO; 60
sharas IN the East Connellsville Coke Comany.
which cost him $4,000; 25 shares in the Preston
Coal Company given TO him by H A Kuhn.
president Of the company, and - shares in the
Crescent Coal Company. given 70 him by John
L. Crawford
Mr.. Aiken explained that ne was one Of the
organizers OF the Hazel Kirk Gas Coal Com
pany paying $125OO for his interest therein.
This company, tle oC4'oeiIOeiS SVi NOe'i C'P''iiS
and the Penn Manor Coal Company were con-
solidated. forming the Pittsburg and Westmore-
land Company. He said also that he received $50
a month for several months from company
store owned by H A Kuhn
A. W. Gibbs general superintendent OF motive
power OF the Pennsylvania Railroad. stationed
at Altoona was recalled and asked by Mr.. Glas-
gov " 1t was not fact that most Of the fuel
coal purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company came from the Keystone Coal and