New-York tribune., 1906-06-21
HOLD LITTLE COAL STOCh.
Railroad Men Testify IN Commerce
Commission inquiry.

Commission inquiry.
Washington June 2O-Of1cials of the West
ern Maryland, Chesapeake & Ohio and Buffalo
& Susquehanna railroads were before the inter-
state Commerce Commission to-day to tell what
they knew about the transactions of their roads
in connection with coal and oil traffic The fol-
lowing were present: c. A. Steiner, of Culnber-
land Md, superintendent Of the West Virginia
division; J. ". Smith. of Baltimore, superin-
tendent car SERVICE ]. T. Hendricks, Of Baltl-
more traffic manager and A Robertson, of Bal
timore. general manager. all of the Western
Maryland Railroad; c. E. Doyle, of Richmond
Va general manager; e W. Grlce, or Hlntoh'
w Va. superintendent. Huntington Green
brier divisions, ]. r. Carey Of Hinton, W. Va
assistant to the superintendent; H. E. Parker
of Newport News. Va superintendent of ter
rninal and H. T. Wckham, Richmond, general
counsel, all of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad
and W. H. Baumes, of Buffalo, controller of the
Buffalo Susquehanna Railroad
The first witness was Mr.. Robertson, his ex-
animation being conducted by Mr. Whitney
special counsel for the commission. Mr.. Robert
son admitted that the Western Maryland Rail
road Company the owner of the Davis Coal
& Coke Company. He did not know that his
road interested in any other coal mining
company along its line On the subject of
distribution Mr. Robertson said that while the
mine ratings Of his company were not published
or posted anywhere any shipper had permission
to learn what these ratings were. So far he
knew there had been complaints from oper-
ators that they were not receiving sufficient
cars under the percentage of distribution. The
witness declared he owned no coal or oil stocks
or properties. nor had he ever at any time held
| such interest
In repy to questions by members of the COM
| l,,4c
was able to furnish cars when needed, and that
the ratings were made only when the output
caused scarcity Of cars. The number Of mines
operated by his road, he said was sixteen while
the Independent operators had forty It was
the policy Of the management of his road he de-
clared, to encourage in every way the indepen-
dent operators, especially in the matter of sid
ings
Mr.. Steiner testified TO owning five shares of
stock in the Abrams Creek Coal and Coke Com
pany of the par value of 500 a share. which
| he said. he bought from Mr.. Brady who was
chief engineer of the Little Kanawha Syndicate.
for SEQ a share. Brady, ne said, at one time
was superintendent Of mines for the Davis Coal
and Coke Company, and obtained his stock after
severing his connection with that company. He
further said that Brady had no connection with
the Western Maryland.
The witness said he had no interest in any
other coal company. nor was he aware that any
other official or employe of his road had any
such interest.
Messrs Smith and Hendricks were briefly ex-
amined, their testimony developing the fact that,
neither of them had any interest in any coal or
oil stocks or properties, did they know that
their road or any of it's officials or employees had
any such interest, outside of the Davis Coal
and Coke Company
Mr. Baumes testified that his road controlled
every coal company on its lines except that of
the Northwestern Mining and Exchange Com
pany, which belonged TO the Erie Railroad.
There were, he said, no independent companies
along his line. He declared that while there
were many other coal properties along his line
| or road IL had received applications from
independents or others TO develop them. SO far
as ms company was concerned however. he
SAID 1t would be glad TO put in sidngs these
undeveloped properties if requested to do so
| IN all probability, he said, these undeveloped
| properties were being held for investment
The examination then turned to the Chesa-
| peake & Ohio road. Mr.. Carey was asked about
| the Kanawha and Glen Coan and White Oak
connections Of the Chesapeake & Ohio in West
Virginia, which it developed were independent
roads leading out of coal mines. lie was un-
| able to say whether these roads paid for
| their operation whether 1t was done by the
| Chesapeake & Ohio. He did say, however that
| ing for them.
The witness said that neither he nor anv off,
| Ger or employe of the Chesapeake & Ohio. so far
as he knew or had heard, owned any stock or in
| terest in any coal oil property.
| Mr Doyle said he owned stocks and had
| no interest in any coal oil company, nor was
| ne aware of such ownership interest by auv
| officer or employe of the Chesapeake 4, ObiC
| Railroad. He admitted the existence of an ar
| rangement that the cars supplied for fuel for
| the road would be included i'm the allotment Of
| the mines, except that IL did not apply in the
| case of the Berwind- White COMPANY because
| their contract was old and would not ax-
plre until next year He said this ARRANGEMENT
| came nearer 10 doing justice TO all concerned
than any plan that could be devised
asked II the White Oak Coal Companv did NOT
| receive preference in distribution that was
| dFhled 10 other companies, the witness answered
| that II did not. He said further that the Chesa-
| peake & Ohio operated the White Oak division
| pany paid 50 day for the use of an engine and
i the Chesapeake 8, Ohio would be glad TO do the
| same for any other company.
Mr. Parker said that neither he nor anv officer
or employe or the company had any interest in
the contract OF Mr.. Stearns for loading vessels
with coal He had some positive views regard
ing the ownership by railroad officials of stocks
or interest In coal properties. He once had a
chance 10 buy some coal stock, but said he did
so would have subjected him to criticism He
did not know OF any officer or employe of the
Chesapeake & Ohio owning such stocks or nron-
| critics
Philadelphia June 20-The following statemen,
was furnished TO the press from the Pennsylvania
Railroad office tonight:
. Some misundersta ndine seems 10 have artisan a.,
regard 10 the hearing before the Interstate Com
uasrcs Commission on Thursday and Friday. There