The sun., 1896-07-01

Possible Legal Action sy the Joiut TraHe
AssooiattoN.

Tho Joint Traflc Association has decided
to adopt strong measures TO stop the cutting
Of rates by lines not in TIE association. Abso-
Lutte maintenance Of rates according 10 their
published tariffs by the members of the nsso.
clation has given some of the smaller lines in
the West an opportunity to underbid them for
n -ilness, and In this the same lines have been
encouraged by the large shippers, who are no
longer able TO obtain special rates 10 the detri-
ment Of their less powerful competitors Tho
Joint Traffic Association 10 not popular in
the West, partly this account and partly
because Its headquarters are In New York,
fact which is especially resented in Chicago.
The Board of Control. composed Of the Presi-
dents OF all the lines In the association, at its
meeting In this city yesterday, decided to sub
nit to coun sci the question Of prosecution of
railroad companies for violation Of the Inter.
State Commerce act where such companies
are carrying freight and passengers at rates
below their published tariffs. This action was
taken on motion of Mr. Depew, after speech
by President Ingalls, q tho Big Four, in which
he urged the necessity Of immediate action,
and reminded the members that ono Of
tho purposes for which the association was
formed was TO secure strict adherence to tho
provisions of the Interstate Commerce act.
It. Is understood that tho matter will be re-
ferred to Messrs. Carter q Ledyerd. who have
been counsel for the association since It's
organization.
Mr.. InRalls's charges are said to have been
directed principally against the Toledo, 1T.
Louis and Kansas City, or Glover Leaf" road,
and the Louisville and st. Louis Air Line,
both OF which are operated by receivers.
The meeting yesterday was called in antict-
patton OF the departure for Europe Of Presi-
dent Depew Of the New York Central and
President Sir Charles Rivers Wilson OF the
Grand Trunk. President Roberts Of the Penn
sylvania presided as Chairman of the Board OF
Control. Favorable progress was reported In
the negotiations undertaken to induce the
Norfolk and Western receivers to cooperate
with the association pending the reorganiza-
tion Of that railroad company. The committee
appointed for the purpose also reported prog
ress as the result of its conference with Sena.
tor Brice, President OF tho Lake Erie and
Western, and President Woodford of tho Gin
cinnau, Hamilton and Day ton. Both of these
gentlemen attended the meeting OF the Board.
During the meeting telegrs m from Sir
William Van Horne. President Of the Cana
dian Pacific Railway, was received. saying that
he would be here this morning to meet the
committee appointed to confer with him touch
ing the membersh ship of that company. As Mr..
Depew eails to-day on the Sc. Paul, he re-
quested Mr.. Ingalls, to act for him on this COM
mittee.
The Chairman OF the committee appointed last
December to conduct the litiRatio in the suit
of tho United States VS.. the Joint Traffic Asso-
citation reported the decteion OF Judge Wheeler.
and qualification was expressed that tho court
had found the purposes OF the association to be
in accord with tho law.