New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-16
MISSOURI PACIFIC'S ACTION.
TT ARoUsEs PROLIFIC DISCUSSION



PROBABLY NOT BE MADE FORMAL.
Law Gould was quoted yesterday afternoon as say
Ing emphatically that the Missouri Pacific would not
withdraw from the Western Traffic Association
whether he was officially quoted or not there was
utc tendency in financial circles to assert that the
road would withdraw, that the verbal notice of
withdrawal. which was given by S. ii. II. Clark at
the meeting OF the advisory board on Wednesday
would be formally ratified BY the directors OF the
Missouri Pacific.
There is, however, apparently not the slightest
doubt that such oral notice OF withdrawal was
made. There is also little doubt that Mr.. Clark
acting under the instructions of Mr.. Gould when he
cave the notice. Mr.. Gould must have known
that such notice was not valid under
the rules of the association, but he doubt
less thought that the action taken, though only
IN effect threat would be sufficient to
accomplish purpose OF forcing action in the matter
Of the charges OF rdtec lifting ade against the Chicago
Burlington and Quincy. the Atcuson Topeka and santa
Fe and the Southern Pacific. He probably had also a
shrewd impression OF the effect at the possibility Of
a disruption of the association would have upon the
stock market. with the cOavenen: interval OF ninety
DAYS for the umor> to work In. That he actually
tempated withdrawal OF his support from the
ISOLATION with the almost iEe liable disruption OF 1t
that would ensue is probable. In he desired
TO serve formal written notice of withdrawal he could
have secured the necessary actor Of his board at
days notice.
Roswell Miller the chairman Of the Advisory Board.
Yesterday authorized the following statement Missouri
Pacific has given no notice Of withdrawal from the
Western Trafc cation." This statement Of course
means only that no such notice. authorized BY the
Missouri Pacific directors mas been given ii does by
no indicate fiat verbal notification was made
by Mr.. Clark acting under the authority OF Mr.. Gould
On the contrary, the report OF Mr. Cark's action with
the Interpretation Of IL published IN The Tribune yes
tarda an
Missouri Pacific yesterday afternoon. That IT had been
done on the authority OF the board Of directors, how
ever he would neler admit nor deny.
The measure of difficulty that Mr. Gold would en-
counter in securing the formal authorization by the
board OF notice Of withdrawal from the association. II
h. really desired il, may be seen in a glance at the
directorate OF the Missouri Pacific. Here are the names
Jaw Gould Sidney Dillon. samuel Sloan. Russell Sage
John F. Mum, who is Mr.. Coulds private physician
Tnomas T. Ecker manager OF the Western Union Tee-
gaph Company A. l.. Hopkins formerly president OF
the Wabash; George j. Gould. John q. Moore, d. d.
Psrmly, Edwin Gould, c. ;. Greeley and ;. H. ii.
Clark.
Mr.. Clark is not inclined to be communicative on
the subject and he would prefer to delegate discussion
OF il to Mr. Gould himself When asked at)ut the
treatment accorded to the roads against which charges
were brought Mr.. Clark said Under Mr. MIXERS
ruling these roads allowed to appeal although the
case was already before the highest tribunal in the as
IN. testimony in the cases at hand When similar
charges were made against official OF the Missouri
Pscifc last May aL~cal or the granting OF time
WIS not thought Of. II was sale to be case
70, immediate action and accordingly Mr.. Leeds was
discharged Now, when that precedent was not fol
lowed In the Just brought before the board what
ese could the Missouri Pacific do but withdraw
The action In the Leeds case taken under the
following clause of the Introductory section OF the
Agreement under which the Western Traffic Association
established:
The Advisory Board SO constituted shall have power
d establish uniform rates between conpet
points, and to decide all questions OF common inter-
st between the members Of the association II shall also
have entire charge through properly constituted repre-
scntatives OF all outside agencies for the securing OF ac
az competitive points II any officer representative OF
any company authorize promise directly or indi
rectly any variation from established tariffs ne shall be
discharged from the service with the reason stated
Under succeeding article OF the agreement. how
ever there seems TO be little more latitude given IN
such cases:
An valuations OF the agreement failure comply with
IN. orders of the Advisory Board of the Commissioners,
by any member OF the association or any officer or repre-
sentative Of member, shall be reported 70 me Al
yisory Board TO- such action a. 1t may deem exponent
The necessity for serving formal notice IN case
any company desires withdraw from the ASSOCIATION
is shown in the following clause;
M company shall withdraw from the association except
after NINETY DAYS written BY resolution Of the Board
- n,,ecors 70 every other member Of the association
with the peovso that the association 'hal con-
.intle for at least months from January i, 1871
President Ashley OF the Wabash, VINO x MEMBER
Of the Advisory Board was quoted yesterday a. say
t.. uv- Clark believing with Mr. Gould that the
Advisory Board was not disposed TO administer me
same medicine the roads acainst which conpialnnts
of rate-cu,ting have been made "a thcN gave 70 Wy
Missouri Pacific last year. did perhaps somewhat Nasty
and without a knowledge OF all tie facts give Vepal
,ntioe ina, the Missouri Pacific would retire from the
asSoc,ation Other members pointed out 10 Mr.. Ciark
and Mr. Could that the offending roads were enutea
70 notice and certain length Of time to put IN An
snnesl and defence leOre the Advisory Boad 70 me
Charges Of the Commissioners. and that the que slph
had been therefore, necessarily postponed until me
next meeting The wa different from tia' 9i eIds
anncarsd iefoe the Advisory Board and pleaded gnlly
anu there being further appeal. the hoard hai no
ontion bu. 10 convict and pass judgment under tils
bylaws ] think that Mr. Gould has since seen We
force of Tat argument. and that nothing hrther VIII
he heard ABOUT the matter until the next mecthg' WITH
fhs cha res win be disposed Of