The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-04-19
IN THE RAILWAY WORLD,
Southwestern Traffic Associations
New Agreement.
SOUTHERN PAClFlC'S GATE SYSTEM
BOARD Of Adminiatratton Rate Msstins,
Those Two Sleeping Car Bills.
Fiashcs-Psrsonais.

Copies Of the new agreement Of the
Southern Traffic association have been
received by the various lines, members
OF the association. In addition TO the
rules and regulations governing the as
ISOLATION us published In The Post at
the time of Its adoption. the following
interesting extracts are taken from the
printed compact. just issued to members:
Preamblc-Purpose of this agreement.
For the purpose of promoting har.
mony and cooperation between Its mem
oers in advancement of the material
interests, and fostering the industries
OF the communities which they serve by,
tfst, Jointly establishing and uniformly
maintaining rates of charge for their re-
spective services, which shall not be
unreasonable nor UNJUST second, by oh.
serving and furthering commerce, law
ana all other statutes relating To or af-
fecting the interstate freight traffic here
ymafter described, the parties hereto
create an organization to be known as
the Southwestern Traffic ASSOCIATION.
The association shall have control of all
Interstate freight traffic having origin or
destination in the State of Texas, except
coal and coke, and shall cooperate with
the railroad commission of Texas and
maintain the rates established by them.
That the proposed Trans-Contnental as
ISOLATION shall fail to organize, or after
organization, shall, for any cause. dis
band, then such traffic shall Immediately
became subject TO the control of this as
ISOLATION.
The association shall be governed by an
executive board and board of admits
tration.
The board of administration shall con-
sist of one member, to be nominated and
paid by each of the following named in
terests: Santa Fe system. Rock Island
Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway, St
Louis and San Francisco Railway com
pany, New York and Texas Steamship
| company.
The board of administration Shall con-
troll the rates, rules and regulations gov
erning traffic subject to this agreement.
and shall have fun authority over all
agencies on lines operated. leased ur CON
trolled by the parties to this agreement.
| The Chairman of the association shall be
ex-ofiicio chairman of the board. But II
| vice chairman shall be elected annually
| by the board from its own body, who
shall preside in the absence of the chair
man.
A four-hfths vote of the board shall be
| necessary TO the adoption of my propo-
| siton, except the appointment of traf-
tic, which shall require unanimous vote.
failing to reach an agreement upon the
| question of apportionment of traffic, it
| shall be referred to the executive board.
The frs, order of business before the
board shall be the hearing of complaints
| of departures from authorized rates or
| regulations. Complaints may be made by
telegraph or otherwise. and investigation
shall be immediate and thorough The
| board or the chairman, may order COM
| plainants or respondents to appear nj once
| before the board. Obedience of the orders
| of the board of administration first, and
appeal or protest, If any, Afterwards, to
| be the invarable rule.
| Each interest represented in this agree
ment shall keep on deposit with the beard
of administration the sum of 5000, or
such sum as may he iixed by aid hoard,
to constitute a fund to be drawn upon In
penalty for violation of tho aGr"ement'
as herein provided. Drafts ny The chair
man TO accomplish this end viii be ac-
cepted.
For any action by any party hereto;
decide TO BE- in violation of this agreement,
the offending party shall forfeit sum
| to he fixed by the board of administration,
which sum shall not be less than the
| would be- if extended at the standard
rates, nor more than 5000 for Zach offense,
| The forfeiture shall apply to the cx-
! penscs of the association, but Inc offender
shall not benefit by such application.
| Any party retiring from this agreement
before the completion of the time herein
fixed, except by unanimous consent, fhan
not be entitled to any refund from the
| agreement, but If any company fails TO
observe and be governed by this agree
ment, which fact shall be determined by
| the board of administration, lnd falls TO
! pay its forfeitures within fifteen days
| after the decisions of said board, then any
other company may withdraw from tl's
agreement on giving thirty lays written
notice to raid board and such company
so withdrawing shall be entitled to the
residue of the funds it has contributed,
This agreement shall take effect on
| April s. 1885. to continue In force until
| December 81. 1896. and thereafter until
| ninety days written notice of an intention
| to withdraw therefrom shall have been
| given by one or more companies to the
| association through the chairman.