The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1906-02-02
WHOLE NO. 6o95
RED ROCK COMPANY
PREVENTED FROM SHIPPING.

WashAilS tVt, Jali"o1- lJltrlng the
discussion in the Senate over tho
railroad combinations Mr.. Tillman
read q letter written to him by the
Red Rock Fuel Company, as follows:
Nearly one year ago the Red
Rock Fuel Company made applica.
tion to the Baltimore & Ohio for
sidetmck connection, agreeing to pay
the entire cost and pointing out that
it has been the practice OF the rail.
road for years to furnish such. con.
nections to persons or corporations
desiring to ship coal from the lands
adjacent to its lines on the terms Of.
fered by the Red Rock company.
'snhis request was met by q
prompt refusal by the Baltimore \
Ohio and with the further state
ment that it would not grant tho
connection requested nor permit the
Red Rock Fuel company to become
a shipper of coal, il it could prevent
it, on the ground that the Baltimore
& Ohio had more coal for transpor.
tation that it had facilities to carry
it, but the real reason, as found by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, was that the Baltimore & Ohio
owned a controlling interest in var
ions conf companies along its line Of
railroad, which companies ship the
bulk Of the coal mined along its lines
and that it didn't propose to have the
Red Rock Fuel company or any other
concern compete whit for business.
s.Proceedings were commenced by
the Rcd Rock company before the
Interstate Commerce Commission
last May to require the Baltimore N
Ohio 10 furnish The desired conned.
TONS These proceedings resulted
in a decision in favor Of the Red
Rock company in an opinion banded
down November %, and, founded
on this, an order was entered by the
commission requiring the Baltimore
Is Ohio to desist from discriminat.
ing against the Red Dock Fuel COM
Hpany in favor of other shippers and
in favor of itself orsto furnish the
connections for the Red Rock Fuel
company by December 90, 1905.
The Baltimore & Ohio has failed to
comply with this order and has an.
nounced The intention to disregard
it.
During the proceedings it devel-
oped that the Pennsylvania Railroad
company controls the Baltimore Y
Ohio and that it has an interest in
limiting the shipments Of coal from
the line Of the Baltimore & Ohio so
as to prevent competition with coal
mines on the lines Of the Pennsyl-
vania.
sWhilc the injury done in this
case was only private one to the
Red Rock Fuel company, yet it is
such an abuse of RAILROAD franchises
and such clearly cut example of in
justice on the part Of the public SER
want, with no e5tenuating circuni-
stances to becloud the main issue,
that the Red Rock Fuel company
takes the liberty of enclosing you d
copy of the Interstate Commerce
Commissions decision in this mat
ter, together with a very brief ey-
tract OF the testimony taken during
the hearing, touching upon the most
statements above. made.
with the hope that YOU will give it
your attention.
"I'herefore your earnest consid-
Grafton Of the facts Of this case is
asked, mot only in the interest OF the
Red Rock Fuel company, but also in
che interests Of all independent coal
shippers who have no railroad M
Huence and the public generally, who
have felt the Oppressive force of
railroad abuses of similar charac-
ter, but whose cases. perhaps. are not
susceptible of as clear and certain
demonstration as this one. and your
aid is respectfully inyitedsto 1naklng
such acts of oppression hereafter
impossible.
"a full Investigation should be
had Of all the bituminous coal car
rying railroads reaching Atlantic
ports and their relationto each other
and especially as to whether they are
interested in coal properties, as well
as serving the public as carriers,
"Should you desire further m
formation in this matter it will be
furnished. /"
Doctors to Meet.