The morning call., 1893-02-08
OUT FLAT-FOOTED.
Opposition to the Railroad
Consolidation Bill.
The Traffic Association Says That the
Bill Plays Into the Hands of
the Southern Pacific.

The railroad consolidation bill, now pend
ing al Sacramento, was the subject of dis
cusson at the meeting of the executive COM
mittee of the Traffic Association yesterday
afternoon. Barry Baldwin presided. The
outcome was the folio wing resolution:
ResOIued, That In The judgment Of this com
mlttee Senate bill 399. now pending In the Lesis-
lature, and entitled "An act TO provide for the
consolidation OF railroad corporations organized
under the laws OF the Sale OF California with
railroad corporations organized under the laws
OF any other State or Territory or both" ls a
most Objectionable measure. It's effect would be
10 permit the consolidation OF all the railroads In
this State operated under what Is known as the
onihern Pacific system into one concern with
the Southern Pacific OF Arizona tue Southern
Pacific OF New Mexico, and the eastward extern
siOnS thereof, under the ownership OF a gigantic
corporation of unlimited capital and endless
duration, exempt from all the restrictions on the
abuse OF corporate privileges imposed by our
statutes and IN no way ameuabl5 10 the laws OF
California, or even OF the United States. To
pass such law would be 10 ebdlcate forever the
sOYer eighty OF the stare over railroad cOrDora-
lions OF is own cfea lOn and leave the people OF
California. WHO depend on them for transpoTta-
tiOn, al the mercy Of a corporation with powers
unrestricted BY any present and Incapable OF
restriction by any future legislation and of an
organization totally at VARIANCE with our c0nSti-
tuition and laws. Another fatal objection 10 the
proposed law is that after consolidation has been
Effected under n, no matter how great The mis-
chief might prove. no Tepea OF The law could
remedy the evil. for II would be protected by tie
constitution OF The United States under the sane
ton OF contract aud We earnestly protest
against the passage Of any such measure.
a copy of the foregoing will be sent to
each of the Senators and members of the
Assembly.
II seems that there were some statements
circulated to the effect that a difference of
opinion existed between }. S. Leeds traf-
fc manager, and the executive committee OF
the Traffic Association. as to the policy Of
the organization particularly concerning
the measures now pending before the Cali
fornia State Legislature. The statements
the committee emphasized as false and
adopted the following resolution In regard
to the matter:
Resolved, That The secretary be instructed to
inform The public through the medium OF the
press that such statements are false, and that
there does not exist any difference of opinion
whatever as 10 the methods being pursued.
The present visit OF Mr.. leeds 10 New York
for The purpose Of assisting In the arrangement
between the North American Navigation Com
pany and tie Panama Railroad Company was an
absolute necessity under r promise that should
negotiations reach certain point bis assistance
would be rendeI ed, and We believe that this will
result beDeUciay 10 The establishment OF steam
ship transportation via the lslhmus In the inter
est OF the people,