Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-02-15
Governor pawson,s Startling Letter.

a bomb was exploded III tue ODlI'
ed States Senate last Thursday, when
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina
read clear-cut and convincing letter
from Governor VIM. M. O. Dawson
of West Virginia, showing how COM
pletely the Pennsylvania Railroad
controls the railroad and coal BUSH
ness in West Virginia. The letter is
as follows:
81 have read with interest and salts
faction your remarks in the Senate a
few days ago in presenting the letter OF
Mr. Buliitt, OF the Red Rock Coal Com
pany, of Upshur county, this State. You
said that such thing could be in this
State was disgrace TO the State. SEN
ator Elkins said that we have law in
this State providing remedy for the
outrageous treatment of shippers by
railroads. You are nearer right than
Senator Elkins. We have some law in
this State bearing upon the subject,
but it is inadequate, and we have no
means of enforcing it. | have been try
ing since 1881 to get railroad commits
sion in West Virginia, but the railroad
lobby would never let US have it.
regret to have to admit that there is
much truth in what you say, that this
state of things is disgrace to West
Virginia.
1.-The case that you presented to the
Senate of the said coal company is onl y
a sample of many. The Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company has been a
great sinner in this respect for many
years. For while when the late John
X. Cowen was in charge Of the company
there was good state of affairs. think
an investigation would show that the
Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad Company
is interested in the production of coal,
not directly, perhaps, but indirectly
and substantially. 1t makes little diff
ference as To the effect upon our own
people whether the corporation itself is
directly interested 10 the production or
In competition with the other produc-
ers of coal, If It's directors or controlling
stoc holders are so int rested, the re-
suit IS the same. | have heard of cases
where this company has attempted TO
say who shall ship coal and who shall
net, and when they should ship and
where the, should ship it and where
they should not.
ut may be that the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company does own CONTROL
ing part of The stock of the Baltimore
anu Ohio Ra lroad Company, or the
Chesapeake anu Ohio Railroad Compa-
nv or the Norfolk and Western Railroad
Company, but | have no doubt that an
investigation Will show that the Penn
sylvau.a Railroad Company practically
controls these three great trunk lines,
which traverse West Virginia and which
are the only means whereby the pro
ducts OF this State, including coal, can
be shipped To the lakes in the West or
TO other markets in the East. Hence it
is the fact that West Virginia is to-day
in the grasp of railroad trust, which
practically says which part Of the State
shall be developed, how much coal
shall be shipped out of this State, TO
what part it shall be shipped and when
it shall be shipped. Of course, it makes
its own rates and our people are help
less.
"The Pennsylvania Railroad Compa-
ny is very largely interested itself in
the production and shipment of btu
minous coal. 1t will naturally look
liter its own interests and the interests
of the people along its lines in Penn
sylvanla and elsewhere first OF all, and
therefore the interests of West Virginia
are subordlna ed TO the interests OF
these others, and our railroads, upon
which we are dependent, as before
stated, are controlled by an alien cor
poration in direct competition with US.
The State authorities stand ready to do
everything in their power, and are anx-
ious TO protect our people from these
intolerable conditions.
You will be doing great public
benefit if you succeed in having thor
ough Investigation made Of the condl-
lions referred TO existing in this State. y
The reading of such letter from
Republican Governor Of Republi-
can State created profound sensa.
ton in the Senate, and has caused a
national interest in the conditions set
IOTlQ. O6UdIOT ElhluS was uumO-
founded, for he realized that it was a
stunning blow to nina startling
hint that his attitude on the railroad
question is repudiated by his own peo-
pie He pulled himself together and
managed to reassert his belief that the
State laws were ample to give relief
to West Virginia shippers, and a
broad smile went around the Senate
when he stated that he and his col
league, Senator Scott, had long la
bored to have law passed creating a
State railroad commission. Senator
Tillman made some appropriate re-
marks concerning the letter, after
which it was referred to committee.
For BiliOuSneSS and Sick Headache.
Take Orino Laxative Fruit Syrup.
1t sweetens the stomach, aids digestion
and acts as a gentle stimulant on the