The Indianapolis journal., 1891-04-14

In the corresponding week of 1889 there
were handled, at this point. IL, ,373 loaded
cars; in 1885. IL,
There were transferred over the Belt
road last week 12.41S cars. the same num-
ber as IN the corresponding week in 1890.
Livestock traffic is down to q minimum.
Last week Belt-road engines handled but
COS carloads, il being the first week in
lighter than In the corresponding weeks of
1890 or 1889.
The shipments of flour. grain and provis-
ions from Chicago to the seaboard the lines
in the Central Traffic Association last week
aggregated 81 $50 tons, against IS, 105 for the
preceding week, q decrease of 1870 tons.
and against S9,S92 for the corresponding
week of last year. decrease of 1857 toms
business. the Pennsylvania lines, Is per
cent, the Chicago Il Grand Trunk, 26 per
cent, the b. 81 o., 10 per cent.
Boycotfers May He Sued for Conspiracy
A new phase of the controversy between
the Chicago & Alton road and the Eastern
lines on the commission question is intro
duced in q circular issued yesterday by the
passenger department of the Alton. 1t is
addressed to all the connections of the
company and contains all the correspond
ence that has passed between it and the
roads represented by the board of rulings
on this subject. The interesting part of
the document is copy of letter bearing
the signature of William Brown, general
solicitor of the Chicago & Alton company,
containing that gentleman's opinion as to
the legality of the proposed boycott Mr..
Brown says: Il would respectfully advise
you that In my opinion q number of rail-
way companies have no legal right to COM
thar ora <oIro g.
Interrupt the business of this company as
penalty of your refusal to enter into any
contract with them. Such Q combination
amounts in law to q conspiracy. and the
participants are responsible for any
Injury which may result therefrom
pany. The action can have no reasonable
Justification in the well-established right
of any individual company to regulate aud
control the sale of its tickets. Your refusal
10 decline the payment of commissions
might. under some decisions, justify par
ticular company In prohibiting it's agents
from handling your tickets because Of the
pretext that payment of commissions might
In some imaginary way interfere with the
isnotreadily understood how the pursuance
of the now usual custom of railroads to
sell through tickets and check baggage
through can IN any respect impair the
rights OF be detrimental to the railroad
which Is thus favored with custom. Since
every railroad participating in carry ing
out the combined purpose would be, Jointly
with Others. rs well as severally. RESPONSE
BILE to this company for any injury result
ing 10 its business. would it not be- well for
you TO notify each of the purpose Of this
company to hold them legally responsible
for the consequences of their coursei"
General Passenger Agent Charlton noti-
fies them accordingly that they will be held
responsible for any damage which may re-
suit 10 the Alton company by reason of the
proposed boycott. It seems not improba-
Bile, therefore. that the fight may ultimately
be settled in the courts. Ii is said that the
legal counsel of one OF the Eastern roads
that Is in the agreement to boycott the Al
ton has expressed the same opinion held by
Mr.. Brown. The notice of the board Of