Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-16
QUIzz|NG RAILROADS
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Inquiry.
At PHILADELPHIA TODAY
To Ferret Charges Of Alleged Dis
elimination in the
DISTRIBUTION OF FREIGHT CARS
To Certain Coal Companies - Testi-
mony Showing the Bestowal Of
Checks and Various Gifts.
DISTRIBUTION OF FREIGHT CARS

PHILADELPHIA, May 16.-When the
interstate commerce commission resumed
Its hearings today In its investigation Of
the charges Of discrimination by certain
railroad companies In the distribution of
coal cars George W. Clark Of Altoona, car
distributor employed by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. was recalled to the
stand. Complying with the request of the
commission, Mr.. Clark produced copies Of
the telegraphic orders for car distribution
received in his department during 1902,
and up to April. 1903. They were filed
with the commission.
Mr.. Clark was asked If he had any rec
ords Of the percentages of cars to which
various mines on his division were enti-
tied, and he replied that from January,
1905, monthly report was made up from
the daily distribution sheets. He promised
to furnish the commission with copies Of
the monthly report.
Questioned by counsel for the commits
sion, Mr.. Clark said he owned ten shares
Of stock in the Preston Coal Company and
fifty shares in the Jamison Coal Company.
Did you ever receive any dividends from
Captain Alfred Hicks, mine owner on
the West Pennsylvania division?" queried
Attorney Glasgow.
did you ever get any money from Capt.
Hicks?"
Il received checks from Capt. Hicks
ITO what amount?"
Fifty dollars each.'
How often did you get those checks?"
About once month for three or four
months"
Received Checks and Gifts.
The witness was asked why the money
was sent to him, and he replied that he
did not know. He had never asked Capt.
Hicks why he sent the checks, and when
they ceased coming he did not ask Capt.
Hicks why he had stopped sending them.
After further questioning Mr.. Clark said
he had received various gifts from mine
operators during the past three or four
years.
companies on the divisions under Mr..
Clark's supervision, and asked him II any
orders for special assignments OF cars TO
these companies had been received by him.
He replied that occasionally such orders
had been received.
Questioned by Francis 1. Gowen, counsel
for the Pennsylvania railroad, Mr. Clark
said the percentage of sheets would not
show why a shortage Of cars had occurred.
1t might be that a mine was not working;
IN which case its supply OF cars would not
be furnished, but the percentage sheets
would not indicate the reason for the short
age.
Examined by Mr.. Gowen, the witness said
that 90 per cent Of the coal produced at
the mines of Capt. Hicks was sold to the
Pennsylvania railroad for fuel
President Cassatt's Son Called.
r. K. Cassatt son of President Cassatt of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was
called to testify concerning his connection
with the Keystone Coal and Coke Com
pany. Mr.. Cassatt stated that in addition
to being eastern manager Of the Keystone
Coal and Coke Company he is assistant to
the president OF the New York, Phtladel-
phia and Norfolk railroad.
CaSsatt was asked II the Keystone COM
pany had ever received any special assign
ment of cars from the Pennsylvania rail-
road, and he replied in the negative.
During 1902 and 1903 were not frequent
officers to furnish your company with spe-
cial cars?"
from the Pressed Steel Car Company"
Were those cars taken from the equip
ment of the Pennsylvania railroadT
Why "Pennsy" Yielded Cars.
mo. The Pennsylvania railroad had
placed an order with the Pressed Steel Car
Company for space for 800 cars. The Key
stone company was in need of cars and the
Pennsylvania railroad relinquished thespace
and we made contract with the Pressed
Steel Car Company or the cars
WAS there a scarcity of cars at that
time?"
There was"
.'rhen why did the Pennsylvep.s railroad
relinquish its claim for those cars in order
to give them to you?"
1--WE are one of the largest shippers of
coal and we had a number of urgent con-
tracts" said Mr.. Cassatt explaining fur
ther that the cars We're not taken from the
Pennsylvania equipment. They were not
under construction he said, until after
the signing Of the contract between the
Keystone company and the Pressed Steel
Car Company"
In answering to further questioning, Mr.
Cassatt stated that the keystone Coal and
Coke Company owns 200 cars but owned
none prior to 1902. when the 500 cars were
furnished them.