The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-16

Preliminary -.
ern Roads Agree,.

As>'ss~D <ASScCW~
New YORK, Dec. 15.-The long expected
meeting of representatives of western rail-
roads was held to-day at the house of Banker
Morgan. The following companies were
represented: Chicago d Northwestern;
Chicago, Burlington Il Quincy: Chicago,
Rock Island j. Pacific: Chicago, Milwaukee
d st. Paul; Union Pacific; Missouri Pacific;
Atchison, Topeka 4 Snnta Fe: Wabash:
Chicago. st. Paul Il Kansas City: Illinois
Central; Southern Pacific; Re,,vsr d Rio
Grande; Northern Pacific: Rio Graude
Western. Great Nortliera, and Iowa Cen
tral. Besides the repres entatives of these
companies there wera present. J. pierpout
Morgan. Samuel Spencer. John Crosby
browne, Howard Potter and Geo. c. Ma
Roun. The preliminary agreement, whish
has already been published. was present
ed by Jay Gould and read. After some
discussion, Morgan said that after
long consideration simple but
comprehensive plan had been agreed to
by the Vanderbilt and Pennsylvania lines
for their mutual and competitive interests
and based upon that plan. He had pre-
pared scheme which he proceeded to read.
II provides for the formation of a new asso-
of Chicago and st. Louis. to be under the
management and direction of an advisory
board to consist OF the president and one
member of the board OF directors of each
company. It shall have power to establish
and maintain uniform rates between COM
peiitive points and decide all questions of
common interest between members It
shall have entire charge of all outside a9en-
cles for securing traffic at competitive
points. 1t any officer or representative OF
any company shall authorize or promise di-
rectly or indirectly any variation from the
established tariff, he shall be discharged,
Rates and policy adopted by the advisory
board shall contlnue in force and be bind
ing until altered by the board. A vote of at
least fOur-hfths OF the members shall be
required to make its action binding
upon all. The board shall appoint proper
arbitrators. commissioners and other repre-
sentatives AND adopt bylaws to carry out
the purposes f the association. No COM
pany shall withdrew from the association
except after ninety days written notice. by
resolution OF the board of directors, to
every other member of the association,
with the proYisc, however, that the associa-
ton shall coatinue at least six months from
january nexl
This agreement will be laid by each rep
resentative present before the board Of di-
rectors of his company for action. After
long discussion this was adopted. all voting
in the affirmative except the Chicago.
Kansas City L. st. Paul, which wished
more time for consideration. The Chicago
d Alton, Kansas City. Fort Scott 4 Mem
phis, and Missouri, Kansas Il Texas will
also be invit I'd to Join.
President Miller, OF the st. Paul roaoa.
was empowered to act as chairman OF tsse
adjourned meeting. with power to cal. sfae
first meeting of the advisory board afte,
receipt by hira of notices Of action oi the
several boar ds of divcctofs. Tie masa per
feet harmony prevailed at the meeting and
it was conside,ea by all present that the
action taken was great stride toward con-
seivative and effective CO operation be-
ween all cstrr panies, and tk Il. arranging ho
vest absolEse power in ON hudy of men.
constituted AZ an advisory board, of mem.
bership bs 4 qualified To az. will be for the
interests III ske Companies und the public.
a great el ss;ien' OF conservatism is the fsss
that no " w.tisirawas can ss<e place witEAa.
the formas and deiiber,.tN action of tie
board of directors Of the lasnpany in ques
ton.