The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-26
RIGHTS OF THE RAILROADS.
INTERSTATE COMMISSIONER NOR
RIsON STANDS by THE COURT.

Thinks the Decision Against the
Traffic Associations Is In Keeping
with the Antitrust Laws--AttOr-
ney General McKenna Directs Dis
trict Attorney McFarlane TO Take
An Appeal From the Decision ee
the Circuit Court of Appeals ac
New York in Favor of the joins
Traffic Association.
Washington. March 25.-Chairman Mor~
rison OF the interstate commerce eommis-
sion. when asked to-day whether the su-
preme court decision in the Trans-Missourk
case applied as well to the Joint Traffic
and Southern States Freight Associations,
replied that 1t did and added: III carriers
may continue and agree to keep up rates
and prices OF transportation, which make
part of the price and cost of goods, why
enact antitrust laws to prevent comblna-
tions to control production and keep up
prices?"
Attorney General McKenna has directed
District Attorney McFarlane at New York
to take an appeal from the decision of the
circuit court of appeals. delivered at New
York last Friday In favor of the Joint
Traffic Association, composed of eastern
trunk lines. This case is closely allied to
that of the Trans Missouri Freight Asso-
citation. in which the United States SUI
preme court last Monday held that the
antitrust law was constitutional. The
same questions are involved as in the
trans Missouri case, with the addition
that the Joint Traffic Asso-
citation is charged with vlola-
Of he n Of ba in.
terstate commerce act. The circuit court
of appeals held that the United States had
no right TO go into court in an attempt to
dissolve the association under either the
antitrust or interstate commerce acts. lt
is contended at the department of justice
that even the dissenting opinion OF the
supreme court did not sustain points sus-
tanned by the circuit court of appeals,
When the papers in the appeals arrive
here the attorney general will ask the SUI
preme court TO advance the case so that
II can be heard at the present term.
st. Louis Mo-. March 25.-The ST. Louis
and San Francisco railroad last night gave
notice of withdrawal from all the trafic
associations. both from freight and pass
enger, In the west and southwest. This
action Is taken on account Of the supreme
court decision on Tuesday declaring the
illegal. So far no action has been taken
by any of the car service associations
Louisville. KY. March 25.-The Louis
vile and st. Louis Air Line has withdrawn
from the Southern Freight Association at
ST. Louis This action has been taken
solely on the grounds of economy.
New York, March 25.-The board of
managers of the Joint Traffic Association
has issued schedules of rates and differ
entails from Detroit and Toledo to the
seaboard, which takes effect Immediately.
The schedules are for the season of 1897.
and are practically a repetition of those
in force In 1896. At the office of the asso-
citation everything Is going on quietly.
No change will be made and all business
will be conducted as usual until at least
Its own case Is acted upon by the United
States supreme court.
Chicago, March 25.-More Withdrawals
from railroad traffic associations came to
the headquarters in this city to-day or
were made known at the general offices Of
the companies. The Chicago and north
Westerns lawyers advised severance oe
official ties with other roads, and the no.
tice to this effect was received at the Of
fees of the western freight department.
The Missouri Pacific. Kansas City, Fort
Scott and Memphis, and the st. Louis and
San Francisco also sent notices Of with
drawal.
Several Chicago roads, which have not
formally Withdrawn in writing, have prac-
tically done so by refusing to participate
In any meeting except those OF an infor-
mai, discussve character, such as we're
he'd by passenger traffic OFF,
cials yesterday. and to-day at
the offices of Chairman Caldwell.
There was also an informal meeting of the
general managers of western roads in the
Office of Third Vice President Ripley of
the Santa Fe road at which the future
policy Of the roads was talked over in
the light of the supreme courts decision
A conference for a similar purpose, ex-
cept that IL may take definite shape as
10 the legal and legislative plan OF cam
paign to be followed, was called to meet
IN this city tomorrow. The participants
will be the general counsel and attorneys
of all the Chicago roads.
None OF the associations here attempted
to do any business to-day. the Western
Passenger Association not even sending
out its usual batch OF circulars.
CHIVnREN EAVrNG AnnAnu