Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-23
SEEK 'PENNSY SECRETS
Hiqh Officials to Face the !. C..
Commission
PROBE AT PHILADELPHIA
Last Weeks Revelations to Lead to
Further Inquiry.
ENTIRE BOARD PRESENT TODAY
Sharp Tilt Followed Efforts to Draw
From Witness Positive Statement
About Stock Ownership.
NTIRE BOARD PRESENT TODAY

PHILADELPHIA, May 23.-Hgh officials
of the Pennsylvania railroad are among
the witnesses who will be examined during
the investigation this week of the interstate
commerce commission into the alleged dis
elimination by the railroads In the distri-
button of coal cars The hearings were re-
sumed today.
The revelation of last week, when a num-
Der of Pennsylvania railroad officials ad-
mitted accepting gifts of stock In various
soft coal mining companies, impelied the
commission to subpoena more important
officers In an effort to determine the extent
of the secret business relations alleged to
exist between the railroad and certain coal
companies.
The witnesses to be examined during the
hearings this week include: Capt. John B.
Green. first vice president Of the Pennsyi-
vania railroad; William A. Patton, assist
ant to President Cassatt; Robert Pitcairn,
assistant to President Cassatt at Pittsburg;
Representative George F. Hugg, president
of the Keystone Coal and Coke Company;
John Lloyd. president of the Columbia Coal
Mining Company; ]. Howard Patton, coal
man and brother of William A Patton;
Theodore N. Ely, chief Of motive power;
d. s. Newhall, purchasing agent of the
Pennsylvania railroad; ]. K. Johnston,
superintendent of the Tyrone division; VIC
| II,
division: J. N. Purviance, chief clerk to
William A. Patton; c. A. Wood, chief clerk
to the general superintendent; David Steele,
assistant trainmaster, Pittsburg division; A.
E. Filter, Charles Culp, H. c. Burkett and
c. A. Bueh.
AS a result of the investigation mi
nority stockholders of the Pennsylvania
railroad are said to be considering plans
to bring about more thorough probing
through the state legislature. Such an
investigation would include an inquiry
into all the details surrounding the con-
tracts for steel rails engines and Other
equipments made in the last five or six
years. The present investigation is lin
tied by the Tillman-GilleSpie resolution 10
the relations of the railroads to the coal
and oil industries
The Hearing Today.
The entire commission sat for today's
hearing. The first witness called was w.
A. Patton, assistant to President Cassatt
at Philadelphia. He was asked to tell
what interest he had in coal companies.
Taking list from his pocket. he enumer-
ated the various companies in which he
held stock. Concerning the Keystone Coal
Company shares, of which $500 were In
his name, he said he got the stock by
purchase and through the merging with
the Keystone company of smaller COM
panies in which he was interested. Five
hundred of the shares, he said, belonged
to his brother, ]. Howard Patton, who is
interested In coal properties in western
Pennsylvania Mr.. Patton explained that
he held stock in five companies which
were consolidated with the Keystone. and
through that transaction secured his hold
ingS In the keystone company.
Mr.. Patton proved an unwilling witness
when he was questioned about his holdings
in the Atlantic Crushed Coke Company. The
examination resulted in tilt between the
witness and Attorney Glasgow for the COM
ciO m
Commissioner Cockrell Mr.. Patten ac-
cused the lawyer Of forming opinions as to
his business dealings, which Mr.. Glasgow
denied
az am only asking you the questions Mr..
Patton he said. Il don't know anything
about your business"
Tilt With Witness.
The controversy occurred after repeated
efforts had been made by Mr.. Glasgow %
draw from the witness positive statement
as to whether he had paid any actual cash
for his 400 shares in the company. Mr..
Patton made an explanation to the effect
that he become interested in the land-pur-
chasing company through ]. Howard Pat
tOn who represented the interests of Col.
George F. Huff. When the land was pur-
chased, he said the investors were obli-
gated to pay their pro rata share but as
there had been losses 1t was not neces-
sary to pay In cash.
You got that obligation back. didn't
you?"
II did; in stock
Were you required to pay anything
toward the purchase of the land?
Il stood to lose and had 1t been necessary
would have paid my share"
Senator Cockrell's Observation.
Senator Cockrell here interrupted say
ing: 1T seems to me to be an easy matter
for you to say you went into a speculative
deal: that none of you paid any cash and
that the corporation was responsible for
the purchase price I don't see the neees-
sity OF beating about the BUSH
las matter of fact said Chairman
Knapp you took the ris:, but they didn't
lose anything"
Il was an investor replied the witness.
land was treated the same as other in
gestors,"
Concerning the Huron Coal Company.
Mr.. Patton said he thought he had 500
shares, but was not certain which he
acquired in the same manner as his hold
tngs In the Atlantic Crushed Coke Com
pany He was asked If he ever held stoc,.
in the Columbia Coal Company He said
he had at Its organization, but It became
selling company instead of an Operating
company and he sold his stock to a Green's.
burg, Pa, banking company
What bank took it?"