The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-21


agreement goes into effect. 1t was ac-
cepted yesterday afternoon by the presi-
dents Of the roads, who met at tho Office
OF Commissioner Fink to pass upon the re-
vision which he had prepared with the as
sistance OF suggestions from the Executive
Committee. There were some final ques-
tons TO be attended TO- but they were not
OF great importance and the work OF ac-
Ceptance was not a very long one, and the
pledges OF the presidents signatures were
soon obtained. All the roads in the ASSOC
citation were represented except the Phila-
delphia Il Reading. In It's new form,
which was designed to meet the position
taken 10y the bankers and the Western
railroad presidents, the agreement largely
increases the power OF arbitration aud
takes some decided steps toward securing
the cooperation OF the roads in the work
Of the Interstate Commissioners. Under
the head of General Principles" il is pro-
vidcd, ~ explained by Mr. Fink, that all
measures necessary to carry out the object
OF the agreement shall bo cOnsid.
cred and acted upon jointly. That
| all questions which cannot be set
| tied by mutual agreement aud are ncccs-
| sary 10 bc settled In order 10 carry out the
| object OF the association, shall be settled
| by arbitration. That tho parties are not
10 allow their road 10 be used by connect
ing or other transportation lines in man
ncr which willrcnder 1t impossible to carry
out the object of the agreement
That the parties TO the agreement will
| aid IN the enforcement OF the interstate
| commerce law.
That It is fundamental principle Of the
| agreement that the presidents or chief
| managing officers Of the companies shall
assume the responsibility OF carrying il
| into effect.
That, II the maintenance Of uniform
tariffs does not insure to each company a
| fair proportion OF the business. the tariffs
may be roadjustcl Tor the purpose OF
bringing about fair distribution OF traffic.
Under the new form moro direct
method is provided for bringing important
questions to the attention Of the board Of
presidents and having them more prompt
" decided 10y arbitration. The principal
objection 10 the old agreements was that
the responsibility was divided among com.
m.tlces which could not act promptly aud
efficiently. The responsibility is now
thrown moro directly upon the commits
sloncr, and ~ lac meets with objections he
Is required 10 bring the matter at once 10
the attention Of the presidents or chief
managing officers who assume the rcspon-
sIbilily ui carrying out the agreement.
The Freight aud Passenger Committees
shall consist Of the general traffic man
ayers or general freight or passenger
/ q
| committees are authorized, under the III.
rcction OF the Executive Committee. to
deal with ali questions coming under their
authority Ia their respective departments
There shall be a chairman oi the pnssen-
ger Committee and chairman Of the
| Freight Committee, who shall have the
| sinc power In these committees rs the
| commissioner la the Executive Commit
| tee, aud decide promptly 40 questions
upon which their respective committees
cannot agree. with The right OF appeal 10
| the Executive Committee.
The general rules provide that m case
complaint h preferred against any com.
pany party to the agreement ui viola
ton ol the tariffs ur ru.cs ON traili passing
over ils road % shall, in good faith and by
ull means m is power. investigate aud
| ascertain tie facts in ihc ease. nul ifthc
| complaint b. found 10 be true shall remedy
tine same.
II, however, the complaining parties are
not mli fled with the Investigation. and
| the violation complained OF is not siupprl.
the complaining company has tho right to
reduce the tamil Ia meet the reduction
! made either openly or by secret devices
| 10y competing lines. provided such rrduc.
ton shall not br made except ON due
notice from the complaining company Ia
! the other parties 10 the agreement, and
! that h shall take effect simultaneously by
all lines u ls also provided That, 100 case
Of violation Of thc agreement which Is
also violation oi the Interstate law. com.
! plllut may bc made directly 10 the Inter-
! state Commerce Commission, VI may be
brought 10 the attention Of the commits.
sion through the Commissioner. The lat
ter is authorized to Turn IA the Interstate
| Commerce Commission with amy intorma-
| ton iu his possession which will ail the
commission In discovering aud Furnishing
any violation ct ihc interstate law.
II H provided that no contracts shall be-
made by thc parties Ia the agreement or
| hy the connecting roads which guarantee
rates for any period OF time. II b. agreed
| that the companies will communicate 10
all rusds with which they enter into trailir
| arrangements, the conditions necessary To
| protect their interests aud that such traffic
/ arrangements shall not Boz continued or
new ug,, formed which are not in strict
| cunlurmlty with thcprInciplc- upon which
| the Trunk Line Association is based. saws
/ Mr. Fink.
Unless the provisions OF this section
are faithfully enforced by the trunk lines,
every cllurt which they can mako To- pro.
| tcci The Interests of their companies aud 10
reach the best financial results Of the oper-