Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-07
RAIL WAY JOB
A GOLD MINE
Further Startling Evidence at
"Pennsy" Probe
IN PHILADELPHIA TODAY
Before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
HOW CHIEF CLERK WAXED RICH
On a Salary Which Varied From $50
to $126 Per Month-Coal Stock
and Cash Gifts.


commerce commission in Philadel-
phia today, Joseph K. Aiken, who
has been chief clerk in the superin-
tendent's office of the Monongahela
division of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, revealed almost as startling
evidence as that given by Joseph p.
Boyer before the commission yes
terday.
On salary which he said varied
from $50 to SI26 per month Aiken
had purchased stock in different
coal companies amounting to nearly
$4,000. He admitted having re-
ceived gifts of cash from coal op-
orators on the Pennsylvania lines,
and had also received $50 month
for several months from a company
store.
PHILADELPHIA, June T.-Thorough
is TO characterize the investigation of the
interstate commerce commission in it's
probe into the relations between the
railroads and the soft coal and oil indus
tries. Attorney Glasgow. for the commits
sion, stated today that owing to the large
number of witnesses still to be heard the
sessions of the present hearing will con-
tinue all OF this week and probably a por-
tiou OF next week.
A. w Gibbs. general superintendent of
motive power of the Pennsylvania railroad.
stationed at Altoona, recalled today
and asked by Mr.. Glasgow If 1t was not
fact that most of the fuel coal purchased
by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
came from the keystone Coal and Coke
Company's operations and those of Col.
Alfred Hicks. Mr.. Gibbs said that was
Mr.. Glasgow wanted to know if it was
merely coincidence that company coal
was FURNISHED by the concerns in which
railroad officials were Interested, or whether
he had been instructed by any higher Off
cial as tc what companies were to furnish
the fuel coal. Mr. Gibbs explained, he
did when on the stand yesterday, that ii
was the custom for the railroad to assist
new operations by purchasing fuel coal
from them.
Mr. Gibbs further said that he had not
the authority to order fuel coal from
particular company.
THE companies were designated by or
ders from Broad street station. were they
not?' queried Mr.. Glasgow.
The orders came from the general man
ager" replied the witness.
II said Broad street station facetiously,"
responded Mr.. Glasgow, smiling. 'Of
course. l meant Mr.. Atterbury"
Exercised His Prerogative.
Mr.. Gibbs said that he exercised his pre-
rogative of reducing the supply of fuel coal
furnished by a particular operation II he
thought conditions warranted It, The rec
ords showed that the supply furnished by
the Lucesco company had been cut down
1000 tons In 1904.
Mr.. Gibbs was asked II he knew that w.
A. Patton. assistant to President Cassatt,
was interested In that company. He had
heard so. He reduced the supply however.
because the quality Of the coal was not
good that furnished by other COM
panies.
Joseph h Aiken who has been chief
clerk in the superintendents Office OF the
Monongahela division OF the Pennsylvania
railroad gave some interesting testimony.
At the outset he showed disposition TO
spar with Attorney Glasgow. After almost
every question he would stop to reflect,
cast hts eyes upon the ceiling and then re-
peat the question before answering. He
told of large coal company interests which,
he said he had purchased with his own
money When Mr. Glasgow wanted to know
how he got the money he answered by
tudicious investment OF my salary"
What IS your salary?' asked Mr.. Glas-
gov.
Received Varied Salary.
what is my salary? Oh! it has varied
from $50 to sl26 month"
Its sI26 now?"
Eyes, it's 1925 now
''Well, win you tell the commission how
you could save enough money out OF that
salary to make such large purchases of
siockr
u don't care about giving my private
history to the public, still turned $4,000
out OF coal deal In 1900"
How was that?
How was that? Well. had some OPP
tlons on coal lands which I sold to the
Pittsburg and Buffalo Coal Company"
"And they gave you S20OOo?'
"And they gave me 10000"
"'In stock or eash?'
In cash"
Joseph b. Boyer chief clerk in Mr.
Gibbs Office" said Mr.. Glasgow, testified
yesterday that you sent him money"
THAT 1 sent him money!
Yes"
well. I did"
"How much7"
How much? gave him Ave cents a ton
for fuel coal which the Dunkirk Coal Com
pany furnished the railroad"
why did you give him the five cents
tonY'
Wanted Company's Business
"oh I thought we would like some OF
the company's business and paid Boyer
: Ave cents ton commission for getting the
business for us. That / believe was the
recognized commission"
"You wouldn't have paid Mr.. Boyer that
commission If he did not hold the position
he occupies with the railroad would your
Certainly not. l wouldn't pay him five
cents ton for nothing"
Asked H. he ever got any money from
coal companies Mr.. Aiken said Capt. Hicks