The Washington times., 1906-05-21
STOCKHOLDERS MAY
FORCE HOUSE CLEANING
Continued from First Page,)

aries at that time. and that our young
men need not hesitate to go into coal
companies to help develop the Pennsyl-
vania territory. It was pointed out at
the time that this might lead to some
abuses
But President Thomson went on to
say to the officials that they need not
be fearful on that score-that the Penn
sylvania railroad would protect itself.
He said that If the road bought coal of
their companies. it would take good cave
not to pay any more for the coal thai.
1t could buy it for from other concerns.
80. you see. opinions on the advise
bility of railroad officials holding coal
ly blame the officials who followed the
advice Of the president In the matter"
No Rule Against Taking 1t.
But wasn't there a bylaw against
IL? Didn't President Scott order the Of
ficials under him not to hold such
stocks2"
Not at ALL responded Captain Green.
that Is all a mistake. It was not coal
stocks that President Scott was talk
ing about The stocks he referred 10
were the stocks OF various car COM
panies using our lines. the Union line.
the Pullman Company. and the like
corporations having cars running over
the lines of the Pennsylvania railroad
The bylaw referred to these stocks-not
to coal stocks
Gifts Not Bribery.
I don't think there is an bribery of
officials in giving them coal stock. It
isn't bribery at all. The gifts of stock
were merely acts of friendship. not
given to get favors from the railroads,
by any means. A railroad man in those
days occupied peculiar relation 10
business men. He was always doing
them little favors. ell perfectly proper.
too, and all so considered by the public
generally.
1t seems but to be expected that
men outside reciprOcated such favors in
a friendly way. 1 don't believe it was
looked at as bribery
But you don't refer to the small
gifts to subordinates-the presents of
money. Of watches, Of trinkets-"
Would Fire Bribetakers.
"Oh. not at ALL" answered Captain |
Green. But ours is a big corporation
thousands of employes-and, Of course, |
some of them take wrong conceptions. |
What do you do on your newspaper? |
Can you keep men from taking small |
I'VE fra them when they take gifts"
was interjected-
Exactly" said the captain. you do |
when you catch them. But you have |
to wait until you catch them, and so do 1
We
But I meant to say that conditions |
have changed in the railroad business. /
The old system has been through a /
revolution. The giving of passes is go
ing These are different days from the /
old. We must cut our suit according to /
the cloth Some of our young men do /
not seem to remember that things have |
The public looks upon the ownership /
of coal stocks by railroad officials as /
improper and apt to result in unjust |
and harmful discrimination. This being |
so. it must be stopped, and 1t will be, /
you may be sure of that. We must all /
keep up with the procession
How Times Have Changed.
mo passes being given, you mean the
railroad official nowadays can refuse
favors without making any of his |
friends indignant?'
That's it," replied Captain Green.
that's 1t. exactly. The railroad official /
IS now IN a position where he cannot |
properly do what he could have done
with proprlety before conditions chang
He is almost In the position of = |
government official. where he must keep
aIooi from all men whom the railway /
Yes. that's il; you have If " Was the