New-York tribune., 1906-05-16
ADMIT CAR FAV0RS.
Railroad Men Testify Some Coal
Companies Had Special AHotmemts.

Philadelphia, May 15.-Testimony tending TO
show favoritism by railroad companies in the
distribution of coal cars was elected to-day,
wher the Interstate Commerce Commission re-
sumed its investigation into the alleged railroad
discrimination Shortly before the close Of the
afternoon session George w. Clark, a car dis
tributer employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company at Altoona. Penn, admitted that he
mad received orders to make special assignments
OF cars to the Berwind- White Coal Company
ana that these assignments were frequently made
previous to the regular percentage distribution
MI Clark admitted that special allotments had
at times to certain extent interfered with an
equitable distribution OF cars.
Arthur Hale. superintendent OF transporta-
ton OF the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, was on
the stand the greater part Of the day. Through
MIN 1t was brought out that the Merchants Coal
company and the Somerset Coal Company had
frequently received many cars in excess OF their
percentage allotment, while various smaller COM
panies suffered a shortage Mr. Hale explained
Lhat the shortage shown on the records did not
indicate that the companies suffered for lack of
cars as in many cases these companies could
not handle their full complement Of cars
An interesting point in Superintendent Hale's
Cesunony was that the Baltimore & Ohio COM
Pany had made frequent changes in the percent
age basis. Counsel for the commission called
attention to the fact that these changes were
made at times when certain companies had re-
ceived cars far in excess Of their percentage
allotment Mr.. Hale said that these excesses
and shortages were not evened UP when the
new percentages were adopted.
Mr.. Hale said the Merchants COMPANY COM
planned that its supply OF cars was not sufficient
and produced kilograms from General Manager
Fitzgerald. of the Baltimore & Ohio, suggesting
that good supply be sent to the company. Mr.
Hale admitted that General Manager Fitzgerald
and other officials Of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road were interested in the Merchants Coal
Company.
Chairman Knapp asked the witness what
method Of distribution he would suggest as
being the most equitable Mr.. Hale said he
believed the system based upon mine capacity
and output was the most satisfactory. In re-
sponse to a question, Mr.. Hale said he would
like to try the system of publicity, but thought
the shippers would object because Of possible
controversies with consignees over contracts.
George w. Clark, of Altoona, car distributor
in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company. asked if he had, on February 10,
1904 received an order for a special assignment
of five hundred cars to the Berwind White Coal
Company. He could not remember any specific
date, but said that he had received orders at
various times for special allOtments of from two
hundred and fifty to five hundred cars to that
company. The Ave hundred order, he explained,
was on the steel car basis steel car counting as
Were these special orders for the Berwind-
White company taken care of before the regular
percentage allotment was made? the witness
was asked
He replied that such was the case several
occasions
Francis l. Gowen. Of counsel for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, and explained
that these orders were ISSUED during period
of freight congestion, when the company was
making every effort to send coal to market.
All testimony will be turned over to the De-
partment of Justice and will be taken under
advisement by Alexander Simpson, 1r., OF this
city, and Charles E. Hughes. Of New York.