The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-03

A copy OF the new agreement Of the
Western Freight Association, under is re-
organisation, was received in this city yes
terday. All classes q people directly or IN
directly Interested IN railroad Affairs in
this country. and particularly in tae Wes-.
have watched the process Of reo-ganiza-
ton OF the association with q great ceal Of
interest, its features being such IS would
appeal directly to shipping men ard to al
the officials OF the roads IN their relations
with shippers. along lines that are MEM
bers OF the association. That process has
been completed a. far as the agreement
Il concerned. and It win be q matter OK
great interest to know on what actual
foundation Western railroads have banded
themselves together for the subscribing or
revenues by the maintenance OF rates and
by what specific methods they hope to ac-
complish this purpose. a complete accom-
plishment of which Is q complete solution
OF the trafic problem from the carriers
point OF view.
The new agreement 70 the most restrict
FIVE in policy and the most binding In effect
of any ever formed By any combination
OF railroads. the Eastern trunk lines and
the Southwestern traf1c lines not except
ed except a straight money pool. II the
conditions under which the new agreement
was made were satisfactory and the sys-
tenn OF rates prevailing were agreeable TO
ali railroads interested 1t would be hard
TO discover a reason why the Western
Freight Association should not be the
most effective and enduring ever created
The purposes of the new agreement are
stated by the presidents. who made II.
N follows:
ITO aid In fulfilling the purposes OF the
interstate commerce commission act and
ali other statutes relating to or affecting
the traffic hereinafter described. to Coop
crate with one another and adjacent trans
portation associations TO establish and
maintain reasonable and Just rates. rules
and regulations on state and !ntersss;s
traffic. to prevent unjust discrimination
and TO secure the introduction or econo-
mics In the conduct Of freight service.
The agreement also provides the follow
ing:
~rhe executive board. or court OF appeal,
consists Of presidents or others authorita-
lively representing them. and shall meet
on the written request OF three or more
members or the cali of the chairman.
Two-thirds shall constitute quorum.
Unanimous action Of those present shall De
necessary for the adoption Of any propo-
sition, with few exceptions
"The executive board shall elect and NIX
the salaries Of the chairman and members
Of the board OF administration. and shall
PRESCRIBE
members The board of administration
shall be In perpetual session. except on
Sundays, In Chicago. A vice chairman
shall be elected annually by the board OF
administration to represent the chairman
when absent This board shall control
rates, rules and regulations governing
trafflc subject to the agreement. Ii Is
charged with securing to each party
fair share OF competitive traffic, so far as
can be legally done.
1T may determine the division OF rates
between parties to the agreement and be-
tween them and connections. keeping IN
view the uniformity and equities involved.
provided that this shall not authorize
changes In divisions between proprietary
lines or lines owned or controlled by tho
same interests. inside interests VIII be
protected from outside competition. A rate
committee win be constituted TO submit
reports on propositions submitted for the
enlightenment OF the board of administra-
ton. A four-ffths vote OF this board
shall be necessary
This board shall give reasonable notice
TO all mernters OF subjects coming before
Ii, and any member shall be afforded an
opportunity to present its views before
final action Provision has been made for
hearing complaints promptly and correct
ing unauthorized tariffs AS evidence OF
the power of this board. section Ii reads:
The board of administration may pro-
coed OF its own motion TO correct viola
tions OF rules or rates and in any matter
having for it's object TO reform and better
the rate conditions and advance the IN
terests OF the members of the associa-
ton"
.'Orders OF this board shall prevail pend
ing other disposition. No company shall
deviate except by a resolution OF its board
of directors. which snail not be effective
TIL six days after its adoption. Sworn tes-
timony in complaints can be demanded.
The expenses shah be apportioned by the
board of administration. and a working
fund Of $4,000 shall be kept on deposit.
To withdraw from membership before the
time fixed is TO forfeit ones interest, ex-
cept by unanimous consent. II ona MEM
Der fails to pay forfeiture within fifteen
DAYS after the decision, then any other
company may withdraw on thirty days
notice Plans for cooperation with Fed
eral and state railroad commissions will
be perfected
The agreement became effective last
Saturday and continues until December
81. 1898, and thereafter until ninety days.
written notice of an intention to with.
draw has been given by one Of more COM
panies.
Railroad and Industrial Notes
yJarrx rarrail rnauavar 49, u~.scv