The sun., 1897-03-24
PRESIDENT INGALLs's Views
The supreme Court Decfsion Wakes Legislation
by Congress Necessary.

by Congress Necessary.
Mr. NJ E. ingalls,, the President of tho Big
Four and the Chesapeake and Ohio roads, who
Is stopping at the Waldorf was asked by THE
Sun reporter last night what he thought OF tho
Trans Missouri Freight Association decision by
the United States Supreme Court and its posi-
bic effects. He said:
Il am not greatly disappointed. drew the
original agreement OF the General Traffic Asso-
citation, and drew 1t on a line with the decision
OF the Circuit Court which has just now been re-
verscd. II that decision had been upheld am
sure that our agreement would have been. But
at the time l had my doubts about it. When
that Circuit Court decision is reversed by tho
Supreme Court 1t seems to me that there is no
possibility OF an association or an agreement
legally maintaining rates.
"Now. am not sorry that the decision has
been rendered. for two reasons. In the first
place, while claiming 10 have the law with u.s.
we have had none that gave US any protection,
and we have relied too much on the association
and the agreement. which was rope OF sand
instead of upon our individual efforts. In the
second place. have always believed that
we needed legislation so that the, railway
the business of the land, should be brought
within the law. Whenever we have tried
get tesisatiGn q Ss wo nat naye oeen met 1y
were acting under the law. This decision
eYectually settles that, and II ought to impress
there must be legislation specifically legalizing
contracts among railways for the maintenance
What legislation would you suggest !" asked
II should be in favor" said Mr.. ingalls,, of
legislation giving to the Interstate Commerce
Commission the same authority that the Board
OF Trade has in England. That is, that the rail.
roads might make agreements for the division Of
traffic and the maintenance OF rates, and provid
ing that, In case OF any complaint that excessive
rates were charged, the Interstate Commerce
cision upon 1t should be final until it was re-
viewed in a higher court. This would aid COM
ea'S tion vii fu bs % asked, What viii III tho rafoads
do under the present conditions l am going
sGss IR 2F sh0f sfsd to-day Sesn
this New York case against the Joint Traffic
Association should be taken to Washington at
once under nm agreement with the District At
torney, and the Supreme Court should bo asked
for an Immediate hearing. II that court still
should be disbn nded, and each railway. through
its proper officials should make its own rates
DO not 6H tS" r,rosd o decision that
meeting and agreeing thnt the tariff shah be
uniform. l understand that after the tariff is
controlling the business Is Illegal. II viii rTt
the burden on the general freight and passenger
agents, and / am inclined to think that for u
tine at least there will be no Improvement in
rates. II will be hard on some OF the weak lines
and will unduly help the strong ones. This will
N the end produce y war OF rates which will
result In the absorption of the weaker lines by
the f'roi. ger ones.
Francis Lynde Stetson, in speaking OF the de-
csion yesterday, said that taking that case from
lite inception and the case against the Joint Traf
Nc Association in this city, ten Judges had given
opinions favorable 10 the association. while six
had given adverse opinions In the Trans Ms.
souri, case. the association agreement was de,
cared not in violation OF the law by the United
states Circuit Court Judge and by two Of tho
three Judges OF the Circuit Court OF Appeals
In the Joint Traffic Association case Judge
Wheeler gave a favorable opinion. which was
sustained by Judges LacOmhe ana Wallace. The
decision OF tho supreme Court was dissented
from by four out of the nine Justices.