The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-18

pany Whether the latter company paid
the bills he could not say.
What has been your policy regarding
siding during the past six years.? asked
Mr.. Glasgow.
1--WE have refrained as far as possible
from putting in new sidings,' replied Mr..
Pugh.
As to sdlnes.
Continuing. he explained that appllea-
lions for sidings came from small devel-
opments and the company was not in
elined to place a siding for an operation
of small promise. I'VE have had many
applications said Mr.. Pugh. but we dis
courage them as far as possible"
Asked II he had placed any sidings
for the keystone Coal and Coke company
and the Cochran Coal company in the
period named, Mr.. Pugh answered affirm
atiyely.
Commissioner Clements asked Mr. Pugh
what reason was usually given for re-
fusal to place siding.
The witness replied that the produc-
ton of coal was ample for the demand.
Don't you think an'increase in produce
tion would reduce the priee?" asked Mr..
Clements.
las a general proposition, l should say
yes"
Does restriction of production maintain
the rates. asked the commissioner. 70
which Mr.. Pugh replied that the cost WIS
usually determined by the demand, freight
rates and expenses of production.
III small operator wants a siding
asked Commissioner Clements. must he
wait until the larger companies are
worked out?"
mo" responded Mr. Pugh, "but he
must convince us Of the ability to OPP
crate the mine"
Attorney Glasgow interrogated the wit
ness regarding the orders for special as
sgnment of cars to various coal com
! panies.
Special Assignment.
On December %. 1902, a special assign
ment was made TO the Latrobe Coal COM
pany and on December 20. 1903, special
| allotment went to the Henrietta company
Mr.. Pugh could not explain them, but
said ,the orders were most likely due TO
a great emergency. Regarding the latter
| order he said
~ guess l ought not to have sent that
order"
II quite agree with you remarked Mr..
| Glasgow.
while that practice prevailed said
| Commissioner Clements, 'it broke down
the percentage system, did it not?''
VERY largely" Mr.. Pugh replied.
! Asked concerning his stockholdngs, MIR.
| Pugh said The had several shares In the
| Brubacher Coal company. which is hold
ing concern only; nine 500 bonds III the
Aroma Gas Coal company; five $1,000 bonds
! of the Pittsburg and Chicago Gas Coal
| company; So shares, par value SIS, Of the
| Thacker Coal company, located on the
| Norfolk and Western railroad. and 30
! shares of $1,000 worth of bonds of the
| Thacker. Fee company, holding COM
| pany.
r. l.. ODonnell. general superintendent
of the Buffalo and Allegheny Valley d.
vision of the Pennsylvania, was examined
concerning his stock holdings in various
coal companies i'm Western Pennsylvania.
He stated that from January. 1902, to jan
uary. 1903. he was superintendent of Pitts
burg division of the PENNSYLVANIA railroad
and prior 70 that time was assistant SUI
perintendent of the same division. Dur
ing the period of his incumbency there he
was in charge of the distribution or cars
Mr. O'Donnell said he had 300 shares or
the keystone Coal and Coke company.
which were given him in exchange for loo
shares of the Madison Gas Coal company
which was merged with the Keystone.
The Madison shares were given him.