The Washington times., 1906-02-09
CONGRESSMAN Asserts
Public Has Been
SWindIed.
URGES AN INVESTIGATION
Determined Not to Let Up
Until the Fight Is
Won.

Stormy times are coming for the gi-
gantic coal monopoly. directed by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Con
gressmen are slowly awakening to the
reality Of the trust and the enormity of
It's oppression.
Indignation, aroused by the remark
ably inane reply on Monday OF the In
terstate Commerce Commission 20 the
resolution Of Congress asking for in
formation about the great Pennsylvania
combination, has begotten determination
10 set all the facts
Presentation OF the cold truth, reveal
ing the progress of the trust. the in
hictions upon the public and the fat in
crease in profits, Will force action
Investigation Demanded.
Demand for investigation will be
made, and exposures now being made
through the aid OF Investigators who
were inspired with a hope of action by
the Initiative Of Oscar W. Gillespie,
member of Congress from Texas. will
make 1t difficult for any member of the
House publicly TO oppose an honest in
quiry
Mr.. Gillespie has accepted the task OF
forcing the issue. He introduced q reso-
luton on Tuesday calling for specific
information as to the Coal trust. and
has caused a series OF inquiries 10 be
made in the various departments in
order TO equip himself with evidence.
Like others in Congress. who heretofore
have given little attention 10 the eoaI
combination. Mr.. Gillespie declares that
the information elected about the trust
IS astounding
Biggest Trust Yet Created.
I'VE find" said he, the biggest trust
ever created. Whether this be under
form OF law or not is yet TO be de-
termined- Resorting TO the infallible
test of judging a tree by its fruits. ne
see results that prove the coal combina-
tion as iniquitous an institution as any
that affiicts Us. If 1t is not the most
iniquitous-
Here We have the richest railroad in
the world despo,icaIIy dominating the
traffic IN a most absolute necessity. It's
arbitrary imposition OF abnormal pronts
upon coal puts a burden upon every
household in the land.
Since the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company acquired its big interest in the
Baltimore and Ohio, Chesapeake and
ONO and Norfolk and Western rail-
ways. IL has advanced the freight on
bituminous coal % per cent
II has done this in the face of a
greatly expanding business. The result
IS, 80 cents a ton be added to the price
an increase OF more than S62, coo, 900 in
the railway charges on this commodity.
After having obtained virtual con
troll OF the bitUminOuS coai-caFFying in
dustTy. the Pennsylvania interests,
through the Baltimore and Ohio. pur-
chased control of the Reading company.
This control was divided with the New
York Central The Baltimore and Ohio
owns S34. .282. 500 of the Reading stock and
the Lake Shore S90, SO. 500, cut of a total
Of S140000,000. The Reading owns the
Jersey Central, and, together with the
latter and the Lake Shore a big block
of Lehigh Valley shares.
This combination is sufficient to gov
ern the traffic in anthracite coal The
price Of this coal has been advanced
twice since 1899. the year OF the inau-
guration Of the Pennsylvania policy, and
the retail price now charged is 81 ton
greater This adds much more than
$50 100000 a year to the cost OF coal to
the people.
STIo,oco,ooo a Year