Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
COAL FOR THIS CITY
Understanding Reached by
Railway Companies.
Mr.. DAvANT'S ADMISSION
Intimation Given to the N. and w.
People.
VERY MUCH LIKE A THREAT
Would Retaliate If That Com5anv
Endeavored to Get Any WASH
ington Business

When the hearing before the Interstate
commerce commission under the Tfllman.
Gillespie resolution was resumed today r.
D Davant, freight traffic manager for the
Norfolk and Western. was called as a wit
ness He was asked by Mr. GLASGOW OF
counsel for the commission IL he knew of
any arrangement between the Norfolk and
western and the Chesapeake and Ohio by
which the former was not to send coal into
washington. He said he did not: that his
road sought at one time to send coal into
Washington, but could not find terminal ia
cilities
Replying to counsel he said they had not
undertaken to carry coal into Washington
by water because it was impracticable.
lie was then asked il there had been
any conversation with Pennsylvania rail-
way officials that proposition. He said
he had had talk with Mr.. SearIes, the
coal freight agent of the Pennsylvania
Asked as to what was said at that time
the witness stated it was the idea that IL
the Norfolk and Western undertook to go
into Washington the Pennsylvania would
go into the Norfolk and Western terri
tory.
Understanding With the Pennsy.
Mr.. Glasgow asked IL there was any un-
Outstanding on that point, when Mr.. Davant
replied that 1t might be so considered
In the course of his testimony Mr. Davaut
said that at one time the Chesapeake and
Ohio, Baltimore and Ohio and Pennsylvania
| gave the Norfolk and Western to under
stand that If the Norfolk and Western came
into Washington they would go into the
Norfolk and Western territory.
Mr.. Davant, replying to Mr.. Glasgow said
the Pennsylvania did not control the Nor
folk and Western and Chesapeake and
Ohio. He was asked II he had ever at
tended a conference between the tidewater
and all rail line representatives on New
England rates. He said he had attended a
meeting some time before April l. 1906,
when there were present Mr.. Newman of
the New York Central Mr. Murray OF the
Baltimore and Ohio, Mr.. Provost of the
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Stevens OF the Chesa-
peake ard Ohio and Mr.. johnson OF the
Norfolk and Western He said the relative
adjustment OF rates of all rail lines and
tidewater lines to New England were dis
cussed.
Replying to Mr.. Glasgow's inquiries he
said the all rail lines were under the i'm
preston that the tidewater lines were get
ting too much of the business and wanted
their rates raised.
Intimation Like a Threat
Asked If 1t was proposed that the all rail
lines would lower their rates II the tide
water lines did not raise theirs the witness
said there was an intimation to that effect.
The New York Central. he said. proposed
raise in the rate OF the tidewater lines: the
Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio were
Indifferent and the Chesapeake and Ohio
and Norfolk and Western opposed any
change In rates. He added that subse-
Quently he received word from his execu-
live officers that the existing rate would
be continued.
THE commercial and trade conditions OF
this country" declared Mr.. Davant. can
not be carried on unless there is some sort
of understanding between the railroads
to rates.