New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17

NEW AGREEMENT OF THE WESTERN
ROADS
THE STRONGEST SCHEME YET DEVISED TO AVOID
DISASTROUS RATE wARs-1Ts PRO-

VISIONS,
Chicago. April l6-Thc new agreement Of the
Western Passenger Association. Is, In the opln-
ion Of the members of the committee which
formulated IT, the best and strongest agree
ment the Western lines have ever had In
connection with their passenger business. the
leading roads positive that there is hothihs
In the agreement that will I'm any manner con-
nct with the law. The committee has recommend
ed that the association retain the old name OF the
Western Passenger Association. and has declared
in the agreement that the object of the association
Is protection Of the lines members Of IT. protection
against Illegal competition. and TO provide Tor
proper action in all matters of common interest
In connection with the association proper four
subsidiary bureaus to be maintained-the clergy
Bureau the Mileage Ticket Bureau, the Immigrant
Ticket Bureau and the Bureau OF Excursion rates
and Arrangements. The meat OF the new agree
ment is in the section providing tnat all paiues 10
the agreement shall lille with the chairman an
rate sheets. circulars. rules and regulations per
tanning TO passenger business subject TO the Assoc
citation and the chairman as me aeeht o. e1 ton
dvidua line shall disseminate such lniorin, ,
the agent for all the roads parties TO the agreemeh
in compiling and publishing JOINT rate snee'sf anu
shall file for the individual lines with the Inter
state Commerce Commission all rates necessary
under the law 1t is also declared to be the u caS
all violations of the Interstate Commerce raw or vi
dered to cooperate with the Federal authorities
and the proper State officials TO this end
This is radical departure from the euStoln nsc oi
to keep all information possible from the interstate
Commerce Commission. In order that an fodus
shall have opportunity 10 meet low rates Wheii
n ade II is provided that. when any one nne shaii
determine to reduce any rate II snail be the uul!
of the ROAD desiring the low rate 10 INFORM t1e
chairman. and he shall at once notlfy an roau;
parties to the agreement Under the old agreement
a notice of ten days was necessary to the Ieuuc
ton of rates. but under the proposed agreeme,nt
they become effective at once, upon the hotiCe
given TO the chairman. The powers OF the chalr-
man have also been ENLARGED and ms dGcisioh h rs
10 be binding upon any matter submitted TO, MN
until it is reversed by vote OF majority VI t
lines interested. He is also to have access TO the
books of the companies at any time.
Under the agreement local associations are 10 pe
organized at Chicago. ST. Louis. Kansas ely.
Leavenworth, Omaha, including Council Blnns'
Des Moines st. Joseph, st. Paul Minneapolis, Den
YER Colorado Springs. Pueblo. San FrancisSo m
GLIDING Oakland Los Angeles. Portland, seattle
and New Whatcom. The local associations are 10
Investigate charges of rate-cuttns which may be
made against their members and to impose mes IN
cases Of conviction. The maximum fne Tor the
sale of one ticket cut rate is to be $40 ana
for more than So. Dealing with ticket brokers
or scalpers. facilitating the ticket, brokerage
business in any manner, is strictly prohpiteu uiuei
the general and local agreements