St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-31
Interstate Commissioner A. F.
Walker Is the Unanimous
Choice for Chairman.
1t Is Thought the Burlington
Will Come to the
Front.
Perhaps the Northern Lake
Routes Can Be Brought
Into Line.


the Western railroads, after being in
session just one week, completed their
work of revising the great agreement
which is to form the basis of the Inter-
state Commerce Railway association,
and adjourned this evening subject to
the call of the char. The last thing
they did before adjOurning was to de-
clare themselves unanimously in favor
of making A. F. Walker chairman of the
executive board. Mr.. Walker is at pres
ent one of the members of the inter-
state commerce commission, and while
his selection is surprise to all the
prophets who have undertaken to name
the person on whom this honor would
fall, everybody is ready to cOncede that
better or more JudiclouS choice could
not have been made. Since the ayOwed
object of the association is the enforce
ment of the provisions of the interstate
commerce law, the selection of man
in Mr.. Walkers position to administer
its affairs will no doubt be accepted as
a guaranty of sincerity. Besides, Mr..
Walkers course as member of the COM
mission has been such as to convince
railroad men of his ability to easily
grasp all the intricate details of traffic
and rate affairs, to correctly interpret
the law, and to decide knOtty questions.
The greater part of tO-day'S session was
taken up in considering the merits of
the respective candidates for the chair
manship. Many names were presented,
among them those of e. G. Wheeler, E.
P. Vining, J. w. Midgely, r. S. Hayes
and others. Several of the candidates
developed considerable strength, but as
the agreement specifically provides that
the chairman of the executive board
must be elected by unanimous vote,
one opposing vote was sufficient to de
feat any candidate. After a good deal
of discussion and fruitIeSs balloting,
some one in the meeting was visited
with bright idea, and the name of A.
f. Walker was presented. The result
was unanimous vote in his favor, and
he was declared the choice Ut the meet
ing. Final action, of course, cannot be
taken until the agreement has received
the signatures of all the companies that
are parties to it. The document is now
ready to sign, and committee was APP
pointed to obtain the signatures of
the twenty-five roads that now con-
stitute Othe list. The two other
members of the executive board beside
Mr.. Walker are by resolution to be
tltCtcu ny Ilt DOdlu VI iududSolS. hI.
Walker was notified by wire of the ac-
ally believed that he would accept.
The question of salary has not been
considered, but it is not likely that the
pay will be less than $4,000 year,
while the salary of an interstate COM
merce commissioner is but $500. The
position of the Chicago, Burlington &
Northern remains unchanged. 1t has
not consented to sign the agreement
except on condition that the Northern
lake routes be brought into it; but on
the other hand the road has not abSO-
lutely refused to sign. The officials of
the company have the matter under
consideration, and it was generally re-
garded tonight as almost certain that
seems to be little doubt that all the
other roads will sign without resistance,
and that the Illinois Central will rigidly
adhere to the terms of the agreement
whether 1t signs or not. Presidents
Hughitt, Cable and strong constitute
the committee appointed to secure the
signatures.
In amended documents now given to
the public the original agreements of
the presidents, known as the agree
ment of January l, is placed at
the head as prelude. This
is followed by the articles of agreement,
construction of the board of managers,
etc. Article 8, regarding the rate COM
mittee, says their conclusion, when
unanimous, shall be made effective; if
they differ the question shall be referred
to the board of managers, and if they
disagree it shall be arbitrated by
the executive board. Notwithstanding
this decision, however. the company
claiming the right to make any particu
lar rate may, after such decision, make
such rates on ten days notice. Article
4, relating to the divisions of the
through rates, is also amended, inten-
ton being that the
BIDDING FOR BUSINESS
by means of private concessions shall
cease, and that divisions OH correspond
ing traffic shall be opened to and
alike by all lines; provided. how
eXer. that when one road has
proportionate interest in another,
divisions between such roads shall be
what they may elect, and traffic con-
tracts actually existing at this date
proprietary interest shall be reported
so that divisions with competing
lines may, if desired, be made on equal
terms. The minimum penalty is made
500 instead of $3.50, but the company
convicted shall forfeit revenue secured
by violation. Where penalties have
been collected under rules of auxiliary
associations they shall not he assessed
second time by this association. Pro-
vision that an employe after once
being discharged for violation
shall not be re-employed by
any road in the association is striker
out. Article Is defines territory to be
covered by the association as bust
ness having origin OF destina-
ton in the states of Illinois,
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska,
Colorado. Wisconsin, Minnesota and
territories of Utah, Wyoming, Dakota,
New Mexico, Montana and Indian terri
tory, except Pacific coast business COW
cred by transcontinental agreement,
international agreement. By unani-
nous action of the managers Of inter-
ested lines, any traffic may be included
in or exempted from the agreement
Amendment to the arbitration article
provides that questions ON which the
board of managers fail to agree
shall be referred to the executive board,
composed of the chairman and two
others, chosen from chairmen of
the auxiliary associations. Duration
of the agreement is to be
absolutely ninety days from
Jan. l, subject to thirty days
notice thereafter of the desire of any
party to Withdraw from or amend the
same. The Wabash road is party to
the agreement only for that portion of
its road from Chicago to East st. Louis
and Hannibal, via TolonO, LII.