The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-25
TRUST BOMB-SHELL
The Ira fflC associations AL
ready Breaking Up.
THREE EET THE WE2TERN
THREE LEFT THE WESTERN
SAGE SAYS CAPITAL WILL CON
troll LAW.
THE ROBBERS Are ALL DIED
Philadelphia Lawyers -opefuI that De
cision oes Not Cover Associa
tons, and that Subte -fuge
Will Yet Be Found.
Will Yet Be Found.

Chicago, March 24.-Two roads follow
ed the example of the Santa Fe in with
drawing from the Western Freight Asso-
citation to-day. These were the Burling-
ton and the Minneapolis and st. Louis.
They both went a step further than the
Santa Fe in that they withdrew from all
organizations of which they were mem
bers, passenger as well as freight. The
Santa Fe is still a member of the West
ern Passenger Association and will re-
main SO until fully satisfied that the law
applies to passenger traffic as well as
freight. 1t was expected that the Rock
Island and the Milwaukee and ST. Paul
would also withdraw to-day, but after
mature deliberation these two roads de-
cided to content themselves for the pre-
sent with abstaining from any further ac
ton in meetings or looking towards
changes in rates as they at present stand
until the full scope of the Supreme
courts decision can be fully ascertain
cd The Chicago and Northwestern
road occupies a similar position. All the
associations still retain their corporate
existence and will continue so for the
time being. None of them, however, will
attempt to do any business until it is de-
cided what their future will be. That
they will be continued in some form is a
foregone conclusion. The business of the
roads Is too much interviewer to permit of
its transaction without some means of
mutual action. 1t is confidently believed
that some way will be found of re-organ-
izing them in such way as to prevent
any conflict with law and to that end the
energies of the officials will now be bent.
RUSSELL SAGES DEFIANCE.
New York, March 24.-Russel Sage
said to-day, regarding the decision Of the
Supreme court, against the transmits
souri, Traffic Association that 4 to 5
decision was not so alarming after all.
''It is bound to come out all right in
the end" continued Mr.. Sage.
There is no question on that point.
Brains and capital have ruled the world
since the advent of man, and natural
laws have not been changed, because of
this one adverse decision. No human
law can prevent the combination of in
terests in social or business affairs. So
called protection laws are not needed by
the public, for no Associatio or trust
has yet been able to operate at a profit
to oppress the people. think an amend
mept to the present law will be asked
of congress, whereby combinations of
interests can be legally effected. AS to
the railroad properties in which am per-
sonally interested, l do not yet know
what will be done, or whether they will
withdraw from the association to which
they belong. The directors will meet in
the course of time and will talk over the
situation carefully before taking action.
The lawyers will also consider the case
in all its bearings and evolve some plan
of future procedure. In the meantime
let the investing public keep COOL"
WHAT LAWYER CARTER THINKS
New York, March 2A-No action has
yet been taken by the joint traffic asso-
ciation growing out of the decision of the
United States Supreme court in the trans
Missouri case. James G. Carter, one of
the counsel Of the association, notified
commissioner Blanchard that the full
text of the decision had not arrived, and
until it should have been carefully con-
sidered he would not wish to advise ac-
ton. The board Of managers met to-day
and attended to routine business. The
qucSliOu VI ulSSolf LliS tie dScVCldllO0 was
not discussed.
KEEPS THE LAWYERS GUESSING
Philadelphia, Pa, March 24.-Railroad
lawyers in this city do not share the
prevailing impression that the decision
of the United States Supreme court in
the case Of the trans Missouri Freight
Associa ton settles the question of the
legality Of the joint traffic association.
and will compel it's dissolution. Several
railroad lawyers who have followed the
cases against both the trans Missouri
and the joint traffic association, while
admitting that the decision as reported
seems to be that the trans Missouri As
sociatiOn violated the Sherman antitrust
law, hold that the case was decided ON
its merits, and that the joint traffic as
sociation is another matter, involving an
other agreement which will have to be
passed upon as #8&
NO NEW EVELOPMENTS