The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-31
APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT.
An Important Meeting Of the Joint
Traffic Association Held Yesterday.
ATTORNEY.GENERAL MOVE TOMORROW
For n Hearing by the Supreme Court at
. Thi. Term OF the Associations Appeal
from the Decision in the Trans
Missouri Freight Case.

NEW YORK, March 3c.-An important
conference between counsel for the MEM
bers Of the Joint Traffic Association was
held to-day in the Offices OF Carter X
Ledyard. No. 81 Wall street. The con
ference, which was attended by the attor-
neys from almost every railroad, included
In the Joint Traffic Association. was for
the purpose of discussing the decision OF
the Supreme Court of the Trans Missouri
Freight Association case. There are ca
pable lawyers who declare that this de-
cision does not apply to the Joint Traffic
Association and all the phases OF the
situation were discussed.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors, and reporters were excluded
Among those present were T.. j. Phelps,
exMlnlster to England, special counsel
for the New York Central Railroad COM
pany; Frank Looms. also of the New
York Central Railroad Company; John b.
Kerr, OF the Ontario and Western; ex-
United States Senator George i. Ed
munds, special counsel for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company; Receiver j.
Cowan of the Baltimore and Ohio; ex-
Judge Ashbel Green, of the West Shore
Frank Bond. OF the Michigan Central; +.
B. Jennings Of the Erie; Henry t. Wick
ham. of the Chesapeake and Ohio; X. W
Deforest of the Jersey Central, and
James c. Carter and Lewis Cass Ledyard,
counsel for the Joint Traffic Association.
WISH AN EARLY HEARING.
The conference lasted until nearly
o'clock When II adjourned Mr.. Led
yard announced that letter had been
drawn up and sent TO the Joint Traffic
Association. giving the views OF the legal
advisers. which was to join with the
United States Government TO secure an
early hearing OF the Joint Traffic Associa-
tons appeal.
The Attorney-General is to make a mo-
ticn with the Joint Traffic Association
Thursday next to l. - the appeal heard
i'm the present term. In the mean time
the Joint Traffic Association has been
advised to continue as IL has hereto
fore pending the determination of the
legality of the organization.
Mr.. Ledyard. when asked what steps
the Joint Traffic Association would take
in case the Supreme Court decides the
organization was Illegal, said that the
conference did not consider that phase
OF the situation. When the case comes up
I'm the Supreme Court the argument for
the Joint Traffic Association will be
made by Mr.. Carter, ex-Minister Phelps.
and ex-senator Edmunds. The railroads
expect this formidable array of legal tai
ent to present their case in way which
will result in a decision in their favor.
INQUIRE INTO RATES.
CHICAGO. March 30.-All the Eastern
railroads which enter Chicago. except
the Chicago and Grand Trunk, have re-
ceived notices from the Interstate Com
merce Commission to forward 10 their
office at Washington. on or before April
10th. all bills Of lading and other evidence
of shipment of grain and grain products
and packing house products between
April /. 1896 and March 1. 1897. This no.
tice created some surprise and concern
among the freight officials who had been
inclined to treat lightly the published an
nouncement that the Commerce Commits
sion, aided by the Chicago Board OF
Trade investigation next month, intended
to make a searching inquiry into the
giving Of reduced rates. The omission
of the Grand Trunk from the list was
agreed to be a mistake. although the first
impression gave rise to general charges
that this road had been foremost I'm rate
cutting. Chicago officials say the evil
dence desired will be prepared as soon
as possible and they are afraid TO be
caught furnishing false statements TO the
commission.
WESTERN RAILWAY OFFICIALS.
An important meeting OF presidents.
general officers and traffic men connected
with Western roads will be held in the
Rookery tomorrow. IL is understood
that the plan to be carried out in view
OF the Supreme Courts recent decision.
has already been prepared by a commit
tee The prODOSitiOn is TO maintain the
Western Freight Traffic Association as a
Bureau OF Information. Many of the
officials are under contract at large sala-
ries and the roads cannot utilize their
services In any other manner. Each road
Will in this way act as a spy upon The
other and thus tend to maintain uniform
rates. There Is to be a verbal contract
embracing the salary features OF the pres
ent agreement omitted the direct pen
atty clause This agreement 10 inform on
violators OF the law IS considered the
only way TO prevent secret rate cutting.
Passenger officials of Western roads met
to-day and decided to continue the mile
age and clergy permit bureau OF the West
ern Passenger Association. The gene
raj organization will be maintained for
the purpose Of compiling statistics and
disseminating them for general informa-
tion. Messrs Newman, OF the Great
Northern; Munroe, OF the Union Pacific:
Bosworth. OF the Canadian Pacific and
Bissel Of the Santa F'e, were here to-
day on their way 10 New York TO attend
a meeting of Eastern railroad men. The
question Is 10 agree on division OF west
bound trans-contnental business.
w A. Russell general passenger agent
OF the st. Paul and Duluth road, has re-
signed