Connecticut western news., 1897-03-25
How It AMecta Railro~ds.

CHICAGO, March 24 Within . wcsk it Is expected by railroad officials that not one of the organizations having jurisdio- ton over passenger and freight rates will be in existence, e a result ef the decision of the United States supreme court that all associations which have for their pur- pose the maintenanoe of agreed rates and the division of traffic arc Illegal.
 The work of disinteRration began In this city yesterday. General Solicitor Ken na of the Santa Fs system advised the traffic manager of that road to withdraw immediately from all freight associations It Is believed Mir. Kenna win also adviss the Santa Fe's withdrawal from all pas senger associations today.
 A long consultation with ether astor- ncys of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul road was held by Geperal Solioitos Peck Before the meeting Of lawysrs MT. Peck stated he would adviss the St Paul [ withdrawal a. once from all associations The counsel for the Chicago, Rock Isiard and Pacific road advised tho officers of that road that the only legal course to pursue was to sever connection with all associa- tons
 On trustworthy authority it was said that the following other important lines have also decided to give similar notice oi withdrawal: Wisoonain Central, St Louis and San Francisco, Minneapolis and St Louis and Chicago Great Western The psremptory action of all thess companies means the certain disruption of the follow ing associations and committees: West ern Freight association, Transcontinent- al and Western Passenger associations Southwestern Traffic association, Trans missouri Freight association, Southwest xxt al ley freight committee, St 4aul and Min neapolis Rate association. Colorado Freight association, the Local Passenger associa tions of St Louis, Colorado Springs, Pueb 10, Denver and Chicago; Local Freight Agents association of Chicago, St Loui, Association of General Passenger Agents Chicago and St. Louis Traffic association western classification committee and Min neapolis Terminal Freight association.
 omccrs Divided In Opinion.
 The officers of various western roads ars divided in opinion on the effect which thi' disruption would have on rates. Officials of the Santa Fe said they saw no reason why rates should become demoralized. Representatives of the Chicago and Alton notably Vice President and General Man. aRer Chappell, said they did not sec how rate wars could be prevented.
 The general opinion, however, is that [ period of widespread and disastrous rate disturbance Is at hand, because each road can now do as 1t pleases and out ratcs openly regardless of the interstate oom. meroe law. Railroad men and shipper, agree that such conditions will work In jury to the general public, giving big ship pers and merchants who get lowest ratos an advantage over competitors
 At the headquarters of tho Western Freight association the board of admins tration did nothing although 1t has beer in daily session for weeks, and an impor. tant meeting on division of traffic wal called for today. Chairman Donald of the Central Passenger association changed the opinion he gave yesterday. admitting the decision affected passenger associations
 1t is the general opinion also that differ. entials, which are an agreed lower tarir given to certain roads at disadvantars by competitors, will have to be abolished. Some of them have been in force 20 years and have an important bearing on compe tition between rail and water routes from Chicago eastward.