The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-24
THE EFFECT ON RATES.
1HE SUPREME COUKT DECISION
MAY DEMORdLIZE THIN
by Causing All Tariff Associations to Diss
band-The Dissolution Of Organ
ization Begins.

CHICAGO, ILL, March 3-Within a
week 1T is expected BY high railroad Of
ficials that not one OF the organizations
having jurisdiction over passenger and
freight rates will be in existence as re-
suit Of the recent decision ~
tho United States Supreme Court
that all associations which have
for their purpose the maintenance
OF agreed rates and the division OF the
tariff. are illegal The Oldest organiza-
tions Of this character must go to pieces.
In fact the work of disintegration began
in this city to-day the legal advisors Of
great railroads being quick 10 grasp the
hopelessness of the situation. so far as
continued membership in these associa-
tons were concerned.
ADVISES WITHDRAWALS.
General Solicitor kenna, of the Sante
Fe system advises the tI-iiic manager
OF the road to withdraw Immediately from
all freight associations. OF which it has
been u member. 1t IS believed Mr.. Ken
ma Will also advise the Santa FEES with
drawal from all passenger associations
tomorrow. A long consultation with
other attorneys OF the Chicago. Milwau-
kee and st. Paul road was held by Cen
eral Solicitor Peck Before the meeting
of lawyers Mr.. Peck said he was advis-
ing that the st. Paul withdraw at once
from all associations The counsel for
the Chicago Rock Islars and Pacific
road advises the officers that the only
legal course to pursue was TO sever con-
nectiOn with all associations. on re-
liable authority IL was stated that other
important lines have also decided 20 give
similar notice of withdrawal. as follows.
Wisconsin Central. St. Louis and San
Francisco Minneapolis and ST. Louis and
Great Western.
ASSOCIATIONS AFFECTED.
The pcremptory action Of all these corn-
panies means the certain disruption Of
the following associations and commit
tees: Western Freight Association. Trans
Continental Passenger Association. West
ern Passenger Association. Southern
Traffic Association. Trans-Nissouri
Freight Association. Southwestern Pas
senger Committee. Mississippi Valley
Freight Committee. ST. Paul and Mime
apolis Rate Association. Colorado Freight
Association. The local passenger associa-
tions Of st. Louis. Colorado Springs. Pue-
bio Denver. and Chicago. Local Freight
Agents Association, OF Chicago; st.
Louis Association OF General Passenger
Agents. Chicago and St. I.oIis Traffic
Association. Western Classification Com
mittee. and Minneapolis Terminal Freight
Association.
The life Of these ORGANIZATIONS is de-
pendent upon unity OF action and with
drawal Of one line may be followed by
the making OF lower rates. which would
Immediately result in on the other COM
peting lines quitting the association. OIL
GERS Of the various Western roads were
divided on the effect which this disruption
would have on rates. Officials Of the
Santa Re said they saw no reason why
rates should become demorallzed: while
representatives Of tho Chicago and Alton.
notably Vice. President and General Man
ager Chapel did not see how rate wars
could be prevented. Mr.. Chapel said:
II think all the traffic associations WI
have 10 20 by the board. From a rail-
road standpoint ! think the decision is all
wrong. IL was rendered without expert
opinion"
Vice President and General Manager
Tursdel of the Rock Island. said the
company would probably withdraw from
all associations Vice President Morton.
Of the Santa Fe. said: Il do not believe
railroads will cut each others threats
during this emergency. We look for re-
lief from Congress. but 10 be on the safe
side we annulled cur membership
GENERAL CUTTING EXPECTED.
The consensus OF opinion is that a pc
riod Of widespread and disastrous rate
disturbance is IT hand. because each road
can now DO as it pleases. and cut rates
openly and secretly regardless OF the inter
State commerce law Railroad men and
shippers agree that such conditions VIII
work injury 20 the general public giving
big shippers and merchants who get low
est rates an advantage over competitors
Chicago officials believe it would be UNI
wise and useless 10 combat the decision,
and that their prompt compliance VIII
helm the massage of laws regulating trans
portatiOn companies. especially the Pat
terson pool bill now. pending II IS the
general opinion that differentias which
are an agreed lower tariff gives certain
reads an advantage by competitors. WI
have to be abolished. Some of them hav
been in force twenty years. and have an
important bearing on competition be
tween rail and water routes from Chcag
eastward.
Meet TO Adjust Differences.
FORT MONROE. VA, March &.-rhe
Southeastern Traffic Association. OF
which Col. II. $. Haines. OF Atlanta IS
president. met at the Chamberlain Hotel
this morning to adjust differences that
have arisen along the lines since their last
meeting.