The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-01-29
RAILROADS CONTROL
Commerce Commission Finds
Trickery in Coal Dealings.
OFFICIALS WERE GIVEN STOCK
Recommends That Common Carriers
Be Forbidden to Have Interests
In Coal Property.

The following report on the coal
situation in the east as found by the
Interstate commerce commission, ap-
plies to like conditions existing in the
Pacific coast and Northwest states:
The interstate commerce commission
has transmitted to congress it's first re-
port on its investigation on discrimi-
nations and monopolies under the joint
resolution of congress of March z,
1906, known as the Tillman- Gillespie
resolution. The report deals with
bituminous coal companies east of the
Ohio and in territory bounded on the
south by Norfolk g. and Western Rail
way, on the north by Canada and on
the east by the Atlantic seaboard
The roads involved are the Norfolk s.
Western, Chesapeak & Ohio, Balti-
more q Ohio, Pennsylvania, Buffalo,
Rochester & Pittsburg, Beech Creek
division of the New York Central g.
Hudson River; Pittsburg, Shawmut &
Northern, Buffalo g. Susquehanna and
West Virginia Central and Pittsburg,
now the Western Maryland.
The report says all the above comp
anies own. directly or by stock owner
ship in other companies, large inter
ests in coal mines. The report is prao-
tically summary of the information
Cleaned from the investigation thus
tar made, together with the presenta-
tion of facts pertinent to the general
inquiry, and makes recommendation
for legislative action as follows:
That overy common carrier engaged
in interstate transportation Of coal be
required to make public the system of
car distribution in effect upon its rail
way aud the several divisions thereof.
showing how the equipment for coal
service is divided between the several
divisions of its road, and that the car
rier be required to publish at stated
periods the system of car distribution
in effect and the actual distribution
made to each mining operator. That
where the capacity of the mines is the
basis for the distribution of equip
ment fair, just and equahle rating
Va uhO AhAhCb UO
That after reasonable time carriers
engaged in interstate commerce be
prohibited frori using Individual"
or Private" cars for handling of coal
traffic.
That carriers engaged in interstate
commerce be forbidden after reason
able time to own or have interest, di-
rectly or indirectly, in any operated
coal property, except such as are ex-
clusively for their own fuel supply,
and that ownership by officers or en-
ployes of common carriers of any coal
properties or stock be forbidden. A
summary is given showing the interest
of railroad officials in corporations or
companies operating commercial
mines or engaged in coal traffic.
Ownership of stock in coal com
panies by officers and employees of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, the report says
has created serious and dangerous
condition on the line Of this company.
The policy of permitting officials
and employees of railroad companies to
hold Investments in coal companies
furnishing traffic to the railroad is, in
the opinion of the commission, mis-
taken policy and responsible for favor.
itism. In any event it subjects such
officials and employees to criticism aud
suspicion.
Stock in coal companies was given
outright, says the report. to certain
officers and employees of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad.