The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-09-25

ers were responsible for the advance of
the price of coal in Salt Lake. A meet
ing was held at which Mr.. Williams of
| the Utah Fuel company. Mr.. Gridley
Of the Central Coal and Coke company.
| and Mr.. Qualey of the Kemmerer
| company were present when this de-
clsion was arrived at. He claimed that
| the Union Pacific and ID. s. r. G. Rail
road companies were responsible for
maintaining coal prices here. He
| thought he had always been discrim-
mated against.
In answer to Commissioner Prouty
the witness said the price was main
tanned at s5.75 until Mr.. Hartman camo
here. and he understood Gov. Wells
asked him why his company forced the
| Utah Fuel company TO put up the price
| OF coal, and he answered. 'We didn Z
| do it, and then turned around and
said they would reduce the rate
He did not handle any other coal, the
| witness continued, because he could not
| buy coal from the Utah Fuel company.
| The Rio Grande Western coal is the
best of the market, and on account of
the proximity of the mines to the mar
ket should be able to put it in cheaper.
Who Handles the Coal?
Richard P. Norris was the next wit
| ness. He stated that six dealers in Salt
| Lake virtually handle all the retail
| business in Salt Lake, His company had
! the exclusive right TO deal in Diamond
Vile coal here.
W. ]. Wostenholme was the next wit
ness sworn. He stated he was the agent
for the "coal pool y while IL existed
| here. He said that since the mine owu-
ers were indicted by the grand jury for
maintaining prices of coal no arrange"
ment had existed for that purpose. He
believed that the percentages received
by the companies was: Union Pacific
80 per cent; D, & r. G., 81, and the bal
ance went to the others. Bamberger
had notified his company that the price
of coal was 10 be raised, but he did not
know how the other dealers were mott
fed of the raise, but they all raised the
price about the same time.
As to the methods by which prices
are maintained here, the witness said
the Citizens company always had a
margin of $l.25 per ton gross. When
they were charged less they simply
made corresponding cut, still main
tanning the s1.25 margin.
Replying TO Mr.. Williams, the witness
said the percentage of loss in handling
coal was about ten per cent.
In answer to Mr.. Allison, he said they
bought coal from companies and it was
billed to them from the mines.
At this juncture Mr. Prouty requested
Mr. Williams to have his company fur
nish him with the tonnage brought by
the Short Line TO Salt Lake during the
year from July l. 1905, to July /, 1906,
and Mr.. Williams promised to comply.
He Made 5000 on Deal.
H. S, Paulson, outside foreman for
the Superior Coal company in Wyoming,
stated that when employed by the I'm
ion Pacific Coal company be had en-
tered land for himself, but Mr., Clark
of the Union Pacific company now had
the land. He did not take up the laud
as coal mine. He took it up to make
attended TO all the details. He made
5000 on the deal. He prospected his own
land on Sundays, he said.
Commissioner Prouty-"Y You pros.
cected on this quarter-section OF yours
Sundays and evenings, didn I you!"
The Witness-Oh, yes.
At this point Attorney Marchand said
he believed they had established suff-
Gent connection between the officials
of the Union Pacific Coal company and
Union Pacific Railroad company. the
Superior Coal company, or whatever
names the Union Pacific Coal company
gees by, and its employees in taking
up lhe lande. he tnou"ht tney might
get closer by an examination of George
l.. Black. They would do so if he was
guaranteed immunity from criminal
prosecution.
Mr.. Prouty-I don L think you should
examine Mr., Black
At this stage an adjournment was
taken until 10 o clock this morning.
Resolution of Authority.
The investigation is being held under
a joint resolution by Congress instruct.
ing the Interstate Commerce commits:
sion TO make examinations into the sub
lect Of railroad determinations and
moncpolies in coal and oil, and report
on the same. The resolution is as fol
lows;
Resolved, BY the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States
Of America in Congress assembled. that
the Interstate Commerce commission be
and is hereby authorized and instructed
Immediately TO inquire. investigate and
report to Congress, or to the President
when Congress Is not 10 session from
tune to time as investigation proceeds
FlTst-Whcther any common carriers
by railroad, subject to the interstate
commerce act. -or either of them, own
or have any interest III, By means of
stock ownership in other CORPORATIONS or