Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-08
DUAL JOBS OF
RAILWAY AGENTS
Further Evidence in Railroad
Probe by !. c. c.
AT PHILADELPHIA TODAY
How Station Men Acted AZ Local
Statesmen
AND HANDLED COAL SHIPMENTS
Ownership Of Coal Lands Verified by
witness-President Cassatt's
Son on the Stand.
T PHILADELPHIA TODAY
IND HANDLED COAL SHIPMENTS

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. June s.-W. q.
Spangler. local agent of the Pennsylvania
railroad at Milton. Pa. was the first wit
ness before the interstate commerce COM
mission today. Mr. Spangler testified that
in addition to his duties as railroad agent
he also acted as sales agent for the Key
stone Coal and Coke Company. He said
that the greater portion of the coal ton
mage for Milton had been shipped over the
lines of the Reading Company until he be-
came sales agent for the coal company.
when the Pennsyivania's tonnage was in
creased about 1000 tons monthly
He was made sales agent after confer
ence with Robert X. Cassatt. and his ap-
pointment was made with the knowledge
and consent of IA. b. Lincoln. division su-
perintendent of the Pennsylvania railroad
at Milton. He received commission of ~
cents ton from the Keystone Coal and
Coke Company.
Milton is a manufacturing town, and most
of the btumnous coal used by the factories
came from the Beech Creek district, on the
lines of the New York Central railroad.
The keystone Coal and Coke Company's
operations are located in the Greensburg
district, on the Pennsylvania railroad lines.
Max Riebenack, controller of the Penn
the commission with data requested by
Attorney Glasgow when the witness was
on the stand last Wednesday.
owned+by the Pennsylvania Road.
Mr.. Glasgow wanted to know whether
the Manor Real Estate and Trust Com
pany, the holding company of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad, owns any coal lands. Mr.
Riebenack stated that 1t owns thousands
of undeveloped acres in various parts of
the state, 5000 of which are located in
Westmoreland county The entire stock
of the Manor company is owned by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Mr.. Rie
benack stated.
Concerning the Harsimus pier. Mr.. Rie-
benack said the original cost was $50, 900,
but in 1899 improvements costing $46, 900
were made, but this money was not paid
to the railroad until this year. During the
seven years the coal company paid no In
The rental of 81. 500 Mr.. Riebenack said,
represented per cent interest on the land
valuation.
President Cassatt's Son on the Stand.
Robert Kelso Cassatt, eastern manager of
the keystone Coal and Coke Company, ac-
companied by former Judge James g. Cor
don. the company's counsel asked permits
sion to answer the testimony given yes
terday by S. f. Potter. president of the
Donohoe Coal and Coke Company. Mr..
Potter testified that the Salem and HUI
ron mines the former one of the Keystone
overrated while the Donohoe Company's
rating was far below the mine capacity.
Mr.. Cassatt said all of the operations were
moderated, and denied that the Keystone
company's operation had been favored.
In answer to questions Mr. Cassatt said
he was interested in the Delaware River
Lighterage Company, towing company
which transports coal from various piers
on the Delaware river. Others in the COM
pany, he said, are Representatives George
F. Hun. Lloyd B. HUFF. ]. D. Huddle, M.
Donald and John M. Doran. The latter Is
clerk in the office of the superintendent
of Greenwich coal piers, Philadelphia.
Judge Gordon asked Mr.. CasSatt If there
were any other Cassatt interests in the
Keystone Coal and Coke Company. and the
witness said no.
F. f. womelsdorff Of Philipsburg, Pa, a
mining engineer, testified that he was at
various times employed by coal companies
to examine their mines. He said in several
cases he had compared his ratings with
those of the railroad, and his rating made
on the actual physical capacity, was three
times greater than that of the railroads
He also found on the railroad sheet, he
said. that exhausted mines had been given
ratings. The commission then took re-
cess for luncheon.
Thomson Vindi3ated.
]. Mcclellan of Blairsville. Pa, the first
witness at the afternoon session of the In
terstate commerce hearing, who appeared
voluntarily. said he came to Philadelphia
to vindicate former President Frank
Thomson of the Pennsylvania railroad. Nc
Lellan said that while he was In the en-
ploy of the railroad company he had been
offered block of stock by Capt Alfred
Hicks. who was about to organize min
ing company. Witness said he wrote to
Mr. Thomson, asking his advice in the mat
ter, and that Mr. Thomson had advised
hun mot to take the stock that honor
Is worth more than all the. stock you can
acquire" Mcclellan produced Mr.. Thorn
sons letter. which was dated June Ii. 1894.
Previous witnesses before the commission
testified that Mr.. Thomson sanctioned the
acceptance OF gifts to employees by coal
companies.