The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-22
Investigation Into This Qucs-
ton Resumed
HEARING IN WASHINGTON
Inquiry Called for by the TiIIman-
Gillespie Resolution

Shipments OF the Berwfnd-Whit
Company Inquired Into-Superinten-
dent Berwind, and Other Witnesses,
OH the Stand-Connection of Robert
Cassatt With the keystone Coal and
Coke Company-Government Expert
Storrs as to Weights of shipments.
Washington, June 19.-The inter-
statecommerce commission today re-
sumed its investigation into questions
of ownership by railroad companies of
their officers or employees of coal and
oil stock or properties as called for
by the Tillman-Gillespie resolution.
The first witness was Mr.. Chase,
who produced certain bills of lading
and other documents called for at the
last meeting in Philadelphia. The wit
ness was closely questioned by Mr..
GLASGOW, special counsel for the gov
eminent, regarding the amount of coal
from the Berwind-White company
which goes over the Harsimus pier at
Jersey City, which elected the reply
that the Berwind-White company did
not know the amount, except by esti-
mated railroad weights. Witness fur
Their declared he had not way of as
certaining if the Berwind- White COM
pany lad been paid for all the coal
that went to the New York city rail-
vows nvnnrf tho{ fh1~. ~vo-< -oiI ~
estimated weights
George E. Dickinson testified that
there was no way by which he could
tell the actual scale weight sold Fer
annum by the Berw1nd-Wbite COM
pany. The books, he said, were not
squared up at the ont the year to
where the company stood, nor did he
know whether there ever was a profit
or loss. He believed such matters
were handled by the Philadelphia Office.
At first he said he did not know who
had charge of the books.
Attorney Heebner made strenuous
objections to a question by Mr.. Glas-
COW regarding wages paid the tally
keepers of Berwind-White company,
Mr.. GLASGOW having explained that he
hoped by the information to show the
small pay for the service rendered.
Chairman Knapp directed the witness
to answer, w%hereupon ne stated the
tally keepers received SIS a month.
Sup't, Berwind was next called and
stated that at first the Baltimore and
Ohio handled all the tonnage of his
company, but later the Pennsylvania
railroad got the business, being able
to ship to Southamboy N. j., with
out transfer. He said his company
was the largest shipper of bitumenous
coal yer the Pennsylvania lines He
expressed the belief that the Penn
~sy1vania company had aided in e.
tablishing the steamship business for
the shippers on it's lines.
Witness referred to the connection
of Robert Cassatt, son of President
Cassatt, Of Pennsylvania, with the
keystone coal and coke company and
said he had gone to some of the Penn
~sylvania officials and told them that
the Pennsylvania company was being
criticised in consequence. He would
not admit however that he had COM
planned hat the Keystone company
was being given any special prefer
ence over the Berwind-White company.
Mr.. Berwind declared that at no time
was he ever able to get sufficient cars
from it for the transportation of his
coal
Mr.. Berwind said that no officer
or employee of the Pennsylvania rail-
road ever had my interest in the
Berwind-White company, except Mr.:
Shepherd. general superintendent New
York division, who owns fifty shares of
the Will Moore company, a subsidi-
airy company.
In 1886, when the Berwind-White
company was organized A. J. Cassatt
and Gardner Cassatt, his brother, took
stock in the company, but the witness
said they sold out to him in 1891. Mr..
Berwind then was questioned regarding
the rebates his company is alleged to
have received from the Pennsylvania
railroad, and insisted that no Official or
employee of the Pennsylvania directly
Indirectly or by an device what
ever received any shade in them.
Testifying as to the total weight of
coal dumped on the Harsimus pier,
Mr.. Berwind said his company was
forced to take the estimated weights
of the Pennsylvania road.
Mr.. Berwind explained the purchase
by his company in 1902 Of 1000 cars
from the Pennsylvania railroad saying
that the great coal strike of that year
created an normous demand for cars
and that in consequence his company
was unable to move Its output He
opened negotiations with Mr.. Provost
of the Pennsylvania, as the result of
which he said was the highest price
ever paid.
A. H. Storrs, the government expert
testified regarding the variations in
the estimate weights on the bills Of
1ading Of the Pennsylvania railroad to
the Berwind-W White company and the
actual weight as found by the city