The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-19
COMMISSION HEARS
MORE TESTIMONY
Takes Adjournment Until Next
Wednesday Morning
DONATIONS OF STOCK
Railroad Men Admit Receiving Dona.
lions of Stock In Various Coal
Companies Operating
On Their Lines.
DONATIONS OF STOCK

Philadelphia, May 1s.-After hearing
much additional testimony concerning do
nations of stock to officials and EN-
ployes of the Pennsylvania railroad by
soft coal mining companies, the inter-
state commerce commission today ad-
journed until next Wednesday. when 1t
will resume its sessions In this city and
proceed with Its inquiry Into alleged dis
elimination by the railroads in the dis
tribution of cars.
| f. M Gross, western manager of the
keystone Coal and Coke company told
| of men In the motive power department
of the Pennsylvania railroad who owned
stock In the various coal companies.
Edward Pitcairn, trainmaster on the
Pittsburg division, admitted having ac-
cepted stock in coal companies and II.
B. Freeman another trainmaster, snd
he received Christmas presents of money
from coal companies.
Maj. Richard Coulter, Jr. during his
testimony said that Frank Thomson
former president OF the Pennsylvania
railroad, had participated In stock dlstri-
| button.
E. ]. Cleaye of Cresson, Pa. superin-
tendent of the Cambria and Clearfield d.
vision of the Pennsylvania, was the first
witness. He was asked If he held stock
In any coal companies. He said he had
$50 shares in the Cochran Coal company
which he received In partial payment for
lands sold to the company.
Had you ever hren offered stock in
any coal companies?' inquired Attorney
| Glasgow.
rs it necessary to answer that ques-
tion?" asked the witness.
ut is"
Declined Stock.
II was offered stock, but declined to
accept it,"
F. L. Sheppard Of New York. general
superintendent of the United Railways
of New Jersey, when questioned by Mr..
Glasgow, said th@ he owned stock in
several mining companies. He could re-
call the names of some of these COM
panes. The stock IN one, which is a
subsidiary company of the Berwind-Whte
Coal company, the witness said, he re-
ceived from Edward Berwind. 1t was
paying dividends, but he did not remem-
Der, the amount. Mr.. Sheppard said he
owned 50 or 100 shares in the Pine Run
Coal company. He received this, he said
from Frank Patton. He had invested 5000
in another company which failed. This
money was returned to him and he was
| given the Pine Run Coal company stock.
He was also given ne said 60 or 20 shares
in the Pittsburg Coal company for his
work in negotiating the sale of the stock.
Have you ever declined to accept stock
| in any coal companies?" quieried Mr..
| Glasgow.
II have"
Why?
We'll. thought 1 might be asked to do
| something that would not be proper in my
official capacity"
who offered you the stock you re-
| f0sed?"
Il really can't remember"
You were in a position to favor the
coal companles?"
ITO a certain extent, yes"
Then some you turned down and others
you accepted?'
That's Garrett
"Why didn't you turn them all down?"
II did not think there was any impro-
Has any other company the same ia
| cilities as the Berwind- White for dumping
| coal at Harsmus?' asked Mr.. Glasgow.
| NO" replied the witness.
| Mr. Sheppard was asked If he knew
| that any Pennsylvania railroad officials
were interested in the Berwlnd White
company He replied he had no knowl-
| edge of the matter but 1t was generally
| reported to be the case.
Mr. Clement asked the witness if he did
not think 1t injurious to the reputation
| and standing of a corporation like the
Pennsylvania railroad for its officials to
accept gifts of stock in coal companies.
Mr. Sheppard said he would not attempt
to justify the practice.
corrects Testimony.
Frank II. Wigton, president or the Nor
risdale Coal company. who yesterday tes-
titled that his company had received re-
bates from the Pennsylvania railroad up
to within a few months of the retirement
of Freight Traffic Manager Joyce in 1908,
| today corrected his testimony.
1.-The last adjustment our company made
with w. II. Joyce" he said, was in 1885,
After that time the adjustment was made
by rendering monthly bills up to March
q, 1900 Since that time we have paid the
net rate as published by the railroad COM
pany."
ton If his company kept all the rebates or
if they rebated them in turn. The wit
ness said the rebates were kept by tho
company.
Mr.. Wigton, continuing his testimony,
told the commission of complaints he had
made to the Pennsylvania railroad con-
corning the rates to tidewater. The rate
on Pocahontas and New River coal in the
southern field he said is s1.35, and on CEN
trail Pennsylvania coal $1.20, the dfferen-
tal being 10 cents. Mr.. Wigton claimed
the difference should not be less than 80
cents because of the higher freight rates
from Pennsylvania and the increased cost
of production In this state The witness
asserted that both Mr.. Provost and Mr..
Pugh of the Pennsylvania railroad ad-
mitted the justice of an increased differ
entail in favor of the central Pennsylva-
MIA district. Mr.. Wigton said he believed
the pressure brought to bear by the Nor
folk and Western. the Chesapeake and
Ohio and the Baltimore and Ohio railroads
prevented a change in the dfferential.
Addcks for Dupont.