The morning call., 1894-06-14
POOLS OF RAILROADS.
Business Men Express Views, on
the Patterson Bill.
Railroad Commissioners Meet in
Conference and Important Recon-
mendations Made.

WASHINGTON, June 13.-The repre-
sentatives of the various commercial
bodies met here to-day for the purpose of
expressing their views Of business inter-
ests of the Patterson railroad pooling bill.
The gathering included members of the
National Board of Trade. the National
Transportation Association and Interstate
Commerce Commission. Permanent or
ganization was effected as follows: Presi-
dent, Alden Spear. Boston; vice-presi-
dent, d. r. Francis of St. Louis; secre-
tary. Edward A. Mosely of Washington.
The following persons were in attend
ance: B. C. Ball and C. n. Osgood, Mer-
chants Exchange of St. Louis; Jerome
Carly, Manufacturers Club of Phiadel-
phia and general counsel of the Natona al
Transportation Association; Charles II.
Clark. uiacturers' Club of Philadel-
phia; John j. Curley, John Field, Walter
F. Hadan and A. G. Elliott. Union Com
mission Of Philadelphia; D. P. Erwin,
Indianapolis Board of Trade; Charles P.
Hatch, general transportation agent. and
William Ayres, Trades League of Phila-
delphla; James j. Hooker and E. p. Will
son. Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce; !;
N. c. Inglehart, commissioners of the Chi
cago Freight Bureau; Oscar l.. Whitelaw,
National Transportation Association; w.
q. Bishop. John L. Rogers and II. Bur-
lingham, Baltimore Flour Exchange; j.
N. Paddock of Springfield. ILL.,, represent
ing committee on the part of the conven-
ton of railroad commissioners.
Mr.. Wilson explained briefly the reas ons
for which the meeting was called. The
secretary read the report of the House
Committee recommending the passage of
the Patterson bill.
Charles E. Wheeler Of the Cleveland
Chamber Of Commerce, H. F. Dousman of
Chicago, Ambrose Andrew of New York
and John A. Gano of the commercial
bodies of Cincinnati were also among those
present. After the reading of the report
the remainder Of the time before recess
was consumed in discussion of the bill
by Commissioners Morrison, Veazey and
Knapp. After recess considerable attsn-
ton was given to the consideration of the
first section of the bill, which permits
common carriers to enter into contracts,
agreements or arrangements, enforcibe
between them. The main objection pointed
out by the delegates was to the paren-
thetical clause. (which has not been disap-
proved" referring to contracts, the opera
tion of which the commission is to OBJ
serve. 1t was held generally in the argu-
ment that This clause was ambiguous.
The argument was participated in by ex-
Governor Francis, Charles Herbert Clerk,
Jerome Carly of Philadelphia, and Com.
missioners Morrison and Knapp. The
matter was finally concluded by changing
the clause so as to read. (which has gone
into effect"
The following resolution reported by ex-
Governor Francis was unanimously
adopted:
"The representatives of the commercial
interests and convention of railroad COM
missoners here assembled, thoroughly be-
lieving in the principles underlying the
interstate commerce law and that its
vigorous enforcement would be equally
conducive to good business morals and
financial health Of the corporations subject
to it, recognizing the fact that this law,
dealing with great subject in a new way,
is largely tentative and must therefore be
strengthened aud improved as time and
trial show the need and point out the way ;
therefore. be it
"Resolred. That we hereby approve of
the provisions of House bill 1918, en-
titled "A bill to amend an act entitled an
act to regulate commerce, approved Feb
ruary 4. 1887. commonly known as the Pat
terson blu"