Railway Intimidation Alleged
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A LLEGATIONS of intimidation 1-1against the L.N.E. Railway Co. by an Ushaw Moor (Durham) haulier, Mr. William Neasham, at a sitting of the Northern Licensing Authority (Sir John Maxwell), at Newcastle, last Friday, have aroused keen interest all
over the north. .
Mr. Neasham asserted that, prior to making a former application at Durham, an L.N.E.R. representative twice called at his home and tried to persuade him to withdraw part of his application. Just before the hearing commenced, this representative took him to the railway company's solicitor. who told him that the company would withdraw its opposition if he modified his application. He agreed to do so.
Mr. Neasham declared that, if he had understood the Road and Rail Traffic Act as he now did, he would not have modified that application. He realized now that he was entitled to the licences originally applied for. He further stated that, under the present limited powers, he was having to work night and day to complete his contracts and he had been oMiged to refuse work from regular customers.
Mr. Boothroyd (for the railway company) asked whether any underhand practice on the part of the railway company was suggested. Mr. C. Wardlaw (representing Mr. Neasharn) pointed out that he was merely calling attention to a statement of fact.
Mr. Boothroyd stated that his colleague. Mr. Merritt, had appeared for the railway company at the Durham sitting, and as it had been suggested that he had been responsible for the intimidating, he would request Mr. Merritt to give evidence at a later hearing as to the alleged interview.
Sir John Maxwell, in adjourning the application, observed: "This is a serious charge against the railway."