Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-11
THE ROADS AND THE LAW
An Association of Railroad
Presidents.
THE WESTERN LINES ORGANIZE


A Stricter Enforcement of the Inter-
state Commerce Act
Aimed at.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
NEW YORK, January 10.-At the con-
ference to-day between the bankers and
presidents of railroad lines west of Chi
cago and St. Louis, which lasted about
three hours, Charles Francis Adams,
William B. Strong and Frank s. Bond,
who were appointed a committee at the
last meeting to perfect plan of organic
alton and TO confer with the Interstate
Commerce Commission, submitted their
report and plan. In the report the
committee says it has considered that in
matters of traffic it was best to adhere
strictly to the agreement known as "the
agreement of the Presidents Of the 1st of
January, 1885," They have not sought
to extend the provisions of that agree
ment, or to introduce into the present
plan any features likely to excite discus
sion. They have sought to introduce
in the simplest possible form some
machinery necessary to secure
the tolerance of the Interstate
commerce act, and at the same time to
make the agreement of January 1st ef-
fective. In order more efectually to Sc
cure results. it is proposed that the as
sociation should be an association of
presidents, to the end that the highe st
officials of various companies may be
made responsible to one another. The
plan appears to be in its entirety very
similar to that of the proposed clearing
house," which created SO much com.
ment short time ago.
SUBSTANCE OF THE PLAN.
1t is substantially as follows:
| The object OF the Association is the
enforcement of the provision of the
Inter State Commerce Act, and the
establishment and maintenance ol
reasonable uniform and stable rates in
conformity with the provisions thereof
also to secure complete reports of al
competitive traffic, subject to the pro-
visions of the Interstate Commerce Act
and such other traffic as is deemed
advisable.
The Board of Managers shall consist oi
an accredited representative of each
company, the President of which is q
member of the Association.
A Rates Committee, appointed by the
Board of Managers for the freight and
passenger departments, shall be consti
tuted, whose province it shall be to con-
cider all proposed changes in rates, rules
and regulations on the traffic subject, &c
the Associatian. Their conclusion, when
unanimous, shall be made effective wher
they SO order, but if they differ, the ques
tion at issue shall be referred to the
| Board OF Managers, and if they disagree
| it shall be arbitrated by the Executive
Board, as hereinafter provided. A pro-
vision of through rates is provided fol
one officer of each company. the Presi
dent Of which is a member of the Asso
citation. He shall be responsible for the
strict maintenance by his company o.
all rates and rules established by tie
| Association.
| The Board of Managers shall hereafter
establish such rules and regulations as il
may deem expedient to limit the need
lees outlay and reckless striving for bust.
ness through separate agents or the pay
ment OF commissions or they may, il
they deem proper, totally abolish and
! forbid the same in whole or in part, OF
cause joint agencies to be established
the expenses of which shall be paid by
| the Association.
The Auditor of the Association shall
| have authority to examine and check
any and all accounts of each company.
| No vouchers or other form of concession
which would reduce the established rates
or influence The routing of business, shall
be paid or allowed unless authority is
given by the Executive Board. The
Comptrollers or General Auditors shall
be instructed by their respective Presi-
dents to pass no waybills. expense bills,
claims or vouchers extended at rates OF
charges different from those duly author
lied. Officers making reports to the asso.
citation shall certify to their correctness,
and in case irregularities are charged,
NAV be examined under oath by the Ex-
ecutive Board.
When the charge is made to
the Executive Board, that any
provisions Of the Interstate Com
merce Act have been violated,
or any rate, rule or regulation. established
by the Association, disregarded. the ac-
cused shall be given ten days in which to
reply, and, if after investigation it then
should appear to the Executive Board or
a majority thereof that the charge is
sustained, said Executive Board, if such
ofense involve violation, real or ap-
parent, of the provisions oi
the Interstate Commerce Act
shall forthwith communicate its
finding, together with the evidence in
support thereof, to the Interstate Com.
merce Commissioners for such action as
said Commission may deem proper. II
such oHense involves the violation only
OF the articles of this agreement, and
does not involve in addition thereto any
violation of the provisions of the Inter.
state Commerce act, a penalty shall
be assessed of not less than $3.50 for
each offense. The presidents agree
among themselves to Immediately dis
charge, on recommendation of the Ex.
executive Board, any employee guilty
Of the violation of any provition Of this
agreement, and he shall not be engaged
or employed by any member of the
Association except on the approval oi
the Executive Board.
The Board of Managers .ehall deter.
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