Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18
AFTER COAL ROADS
Specially Employed to Study
Evidence Obtained.
WILL REPORT CONCESSIONS
Directed to Advise What Proceedings
Should Be Taken.
MOODY CONSULTS PRESIDENT
Agreement Reached at Yesterdays
Cabinet Meeting-Formal
Announcement Made.
WILL REPORT CONCESSIONS
MOODY CONSULTS PRESIDENT

The Department OF Justice has given out
the official tip" that 1t proposes to go
after the coal-carrying railroads. The an
nouncement was made in the afternoon
after the close of the New York stock mar
ket yesterday. but it had been agreed upon
at the cabinet meeting earlier In the day
The President and Attorney General MOODY
discussed the matter thoroughly during the
cabinet session. The announcement Is as
follows:
The Announcement.
Charles E Hughes. Esq, of the New
York bar and Alexander Simpson. jr., OF
the Pennsylvania bar have been retained
by the Department of Justice to take under
consideration all the facts now known, or
which can be ascertained, relating to the
transportation and sale of coal In inter-
state commerce: to advise what, II any,
legal proceedings should be begun, and 10
conduct under the direction OF the Attor.
ney General, such suits or prosecutions, II
any as may be warranted by the evidence
In hand and forthcoming.
1.-THE general subject for some time mas
been under consideration by the depart
ment 1t is believed that sufficient eyi-
dence has been developed in the investiga-
lions of the Interstate commerce commits
sion and otherwise to warrant the employ
o
the appropriation act of February %. 1903.
authorizing the employment of special
counsel and agents In proceedings or thiS
nature
AN important element in arriving at
this conclusion is the recent decision of
the Supreme Court in Hale VS.. Henkel. hold
ing that the federal government has the
right under legal proceedings, to examine
the books and records of corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce"
II develops that the Attorney General has
had a number OF conferences with Attor-
ney Hughes. who was the attorney IN the
Insurance. inquiry made by the committee
OF the New York legislature. Mr.. Hughes,
1t is stated, has been in Washington
number of times. and understands fully
what Is expected OF him, does Mr..
Simpson.
No Step Determined Upon.
1t is learned that no legal step has been
determined upon, and that the instructions
of the Attorney General to the two special
counsel are to carefully investigate every
thing in connection with the coal business
as connected with the railroads. When
this investigation has been finished, the
legal procedure to be adopted will be con-
sidered II Is probable that it will be sew
eral months yet. probably three or four,
before the department will be In position
TO take action.
Messrs Hughes and Simpson will be fur
nished with material from the Department
of Justice. and IL Is intimated that the gov
ernment is well supplied with evidence; in
fact. to such an extent as to surprise the
country. -., -.as.--
Attorney Hughes has been frequently
talked of for republican candidate for gov
ernor Of New York. and his selection as
special counsel In this case is attributed to
the President directly. What effect it may
ultimately have on the political fortunes OF
a number of people in New York Is to be
seen.