The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-10-04
COWS LETTERS
TO COMMISSION
IN WHICH EXECUTIVE INTERFER.
eNcE IS ALLEGED 6Y LIGHT
q HEAT CO
Are Given to Public - Something Of
the Witnesses Who Testified TO
interference.

Special Dispatch TO the Inteiiigencer.
CHARLESTON. w. Va, Oct. g.
People here are commenting freely
upon the character OF the witnesses
placed on the stand last week AT
Pittsburgh by the Manufacturers
Light x Heat company in the hearing
before Federal Master vandervort by
which they hope TO have set aside the
order OF the Public Service Commits
sion compelling them to lower the gas
rates to the consumers of northern
West virginia. Another feature that
excited much comment was the refer
ence to the two letters by which the
plaintiffs hoped TO prove executive in
reference. Persons close TO the ad-
ministration who have seen the let
ters claim there was nothing in them
that would even suggest intimidation
The letters In all follow:
Dear Mr.. Ott:-I am here with re-
Iering 10 you letter from Luther Will
son. of Eckman. w. Va 1 met this un-
McDsweii county reeen a lie Is a
white boy about 90 or % years of age.
J should say. and has lost his limb at
lower third OF the leg. He has been
paid 1875. As 1 understand the law
Si,assS comes ,Ss Inass .hs
type. which are paid indemnity on the
156 weeks basis. I believe this ques-
mission as 70 the amount OF indemnity
this class OF cases should receive.
would be glad II you would let
so that In replying to the many letters
that come to me from tnose claiming
indemnity. | may be properly informed
without interfering with you. that is
TO say. That a man losing his arm as
wen as any portion of either of the
lower extremities. or the loss of an eye
as to whether these cases should be
treated as temporary disabilities and
come under the 2s weeks class or con-
abilities and be settled with upon the
156 weeks basis.
shall be very glad TO have this in
commission has taken in the fixing OF
compensation for this class OF cases. II
weeks together with hospital and sur.
gtcal fees for this class OF cases would
be great injustice.
II. b. HATFIELD.
The Second Letter.
Dear MIR. Ott:-"Please note the at
tached letter from Mr.. w. r. Hill. of
Hayford. W. Va. | shall be glad to have
you write Mr.. Hin your conclusions as
10 whether or not check-weighman
comes under the provisions of the COM
pehsauon law. Thanking you in advance
for this consideration and asking that
you return this letter for my files when
YOU have finished with IT,"
This is the letter which Snyder re-
ferred to as proof OF Governor Hat
fields executive interference with the
public service commission.
j. b. Nickerson. one of the "star
Witnesses" Is a disappointed candi-
date for appointment by Governor Hat
field. who was formerly connected with
the Perkins detective agency, many Of
whose members are now serving time
in the Pennsylvania penitentiary
Nickerson is now secretary to Con-
gresham NJ. NJ Nicely of Fairmont.
Democrat. He left the employ of
Congressman Howard NJ. Sutherland.
Republican, whom he served in a like
capacity, to accept the position with
Nicely.
II. NJ. Snyder. another witness. upon
whose testimony the plaintiff appeared
10 place great reliance, who claimed
TO have been secretary to Commits
sioner Lee OFT, was a stenographer in
his office until the partitioning of the
Workman's Compensation department
from the Public Service Commission.
when he was transferred to a clerical
position In the claim department of
that organization. as he was found to
be incompetent as a stenographer. He
later was dismissed from there for in
competence and neglect OF duty.
Snyder is reported to have been in
this city several weeks ago claiming
TO be in the employ of the Manufac-
turers Heat and Light Company. and
offering inducements TO his former as
sociates to get them to 90 to Pitts
burgh to testify.