The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-06-04

President of Pennsylvania
Road Defends the Officers
and Employees.
CAME HOME FROM EUROPE
WILL INVESTIGATE RECENT
CHARGES.

Philadelphia, June "a. J. Cassatt,
president of the Pennsylvania Railroad
company, arrived at his home at Ma
wexford, Pa, a suburb of this city, from
Europe about noon today. He will be
at his Office in Philadelphia tomorrow
morning. This evening Mr.. Cassatt
gave to the Associated Press the fol-
lowing statement:
Cassett's Story.
Mr.. Cassatt said he had returned
home to take part in the investigation
by the board of directors of the Penn
sylvania Railroad company into the
matters that had been disclosed during
his absence in the proceedings before
the interstate commerce commission.
He had received only brief cable reports
from the Office OF the company and
knew nothing of the details, but from
these reports and from cables to the
London press he had learned that
charges had been made against certain
officials of the acceptance of brides
from coal operators. The board would
investigate all such charges exhaust
lively, and if the officer or employe
should be found guilty of corrupt prac-
tees he would be summaTily dealt with.
alleged FaVorItism.
Referring to the testimony of certain
officers that they held stocks of coal
companies and to the inference drawn
by the newspapers that favoritism and
discrimination on a large scale had
been practiced for the benefit of the
companies whose stocks were thus
held, Mr.. Cassatt said that while such
ownership by officers in a position to
exercise favOritism and therefore liable
to suspicion was no doubt inadvisable
and unfortunate, it was not an offense
in itself if the stocks were properly &C
qUired and was not contrary to the by
laws of the company; in fact. the man
agement had i'm the earlier years of the
company encouraged the officers to aid
in the development of industries along
its lines. The wrong, if any had been
done, was in the alleged favoritism.
Board Will Make Inquiry.
There could be no favOritism in rates.
as shippers of coal and all other
freights were On an absolute equality;
all paid the full tariff rates without re-
bates. Mr.. Cassatt made himself per-
sOnaIly responsible for the absolute
correctness of this statement. If there
was any discrimination it could only
be in the distribution of empty coal cars
been produced that the officers con-
cerned had been guilty of such favorit-
ism. The board, however, would also
inquire carefully into these matters,
end If there had been any wrOngdofng
would take proper action. but it would !
not sacrifice faithful and efficient Of
hceTs to a manufactured and a mis-
taken public opinion. The board would /
also, no doubt consider the general /
by officers and employees of stocks of /
coal and other companies using the /
Pennsylvania railroad lines. and make T.
regulations in relation thereto. There I
had always been shortage Of coal 4
cars during periods Of every year, and /
i'm recent years this condition had been /
aggravated by the great increase in the (
production of coal, Notwithstanding the .
very large increases the company had /
made TO its equipment.
Had Been Many Complaints.
This had given rise to many COM /
plants, and, as a natural consequence. /
TO charges Of discrimination. If the /
output of coal should continue to in /
crease in the same ratio as in the past
few years il might not be possible 10 /
provide sufficient equipment to avoid /
a shortage in the car supply at times /
III view vi lillSr anu Oh the suspicion ]
which such ownership would create. Of I
fiCeTs having to do with the distribli-
ton Of empty cars ought not to own
coal stocks, but 10 prohibit all officers /
and employees from holding stock If 4
companies having business with tire
Pennsylvania railroad company would I
practically tar them from investing i'm /
the stock Of the companies located IL 4
the state Of Pennsylvania and I'm a half /
dozen other states. The subject was
troublesome and complicated It would (
10 no good but harm. to adopt uu-
workable and uncomfortable regulations. /
The question must be handled in a rea- /
sonabls and practical way. and Mr..
Cassatt had no COubt the toard would /
succeed IL solving IL satisfactorily ard /
n the formulating proper rules of con-
duct in this respect for the officers.
Does Not Confess.
Though tho testimony before the com |
mission might disclose instances of il
dividual misconduct. and though an ef- |
fort seemingly organized, had bean
made TO place the management i'm the 4
most unfaVorable light Mr.. Cassatt as /
certaincd that the comUany's affairs 4
rs ere honestly conducted in the interest /
Of the shareholders and with a -uU
recognition of its duty to the public. /
The company 1Cd in its employment /
over 10000 men who. in character. eF- /
ficienCy and devotion to its interests. |
lad. in their respective spheres. no en-
rrrIprc uynr-yv lnrp Tho