The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-26
NOT AN INCH OF GROUND
Is Left for the Traffic Association to
Stand On.

Chicago, March 26.-The Chicago and
NorthWestern the Missouri Pacific and
have filed notice of withdrawal from all
the traffic associations of which they
Louis air line also withdrew from the
Southern States Freight association of
executive officers of the western roads
was held in the office of Third Vice Pres,
the situation. At the close of the meet
ing, however, it was announced that no
concerted action had been decided upon
and none was likely to be.
The more the decision of the supreme
court is considered, the more clearly does
# appear that not vestige of ground is
left the traffic aSsocia lions, they have
stand. All that now remains for the roads
10 do is to direct their energies to Secur
for them to conserve their interests and
prevent their revenues from being disSi-
association attempted to do any business
yesterday. No circulars were issued by
any of them. and no attempts were made
10 enforce observance of agreements.
AS yet no rate cutting has been resort
ed to result of the collapse of the as
tending to routine business and seem to be
afraid to take aggressive action of any
A mass meeting of passenger men, re-
presenting the western, trans-continenal,
Ohio river and southern lines was held
here. 1t was of entirely informal char
acter. no resolutions being adopted or
concerted action of any kind agreed to.
The transportation committee of the
Chicago board of trade is reported to be
engaged at present in formulating charges
of rate cutting against certain lines of
road and OF illegal rates against certain
shippers These are to be presented to
the Interstate commerce committee and
by it prosecuted in the federal courts. 1t
IS said that some half dozen favored firms
have been given such reduced rates on
grain that their competitors on the board
have been effectively crowded out of the
market and found themselves unable to
ship pound of grain. A lot of evidence
has ben collected, sufficient, it is said,
TO secure conviction in number of cases,
and these, it is intimated, will be pushed
TO the utmost limit of the law
DILLON'S VIEWS.
New York, March 26.-John F. Dillon,
the noted corporation attorney said to-
day, regarding the decision of the supreme
court in the missouri case and its
effect on the railroads:
I cannot regard the decision of the
majority as holding anything less than
that the railroad companies cannot I'M
der the antitrust law, make any agree
ment except possibly with connecting lines
Tor liking or maintaining rates for inter-
state traffic even though such rates are
reasonable and although such incidental
restraint as such agreement might put
upon commerce is a reasonable one.
RATES UNCHANGED.
ST. Louis. March 26-The Missouri Pac-
that will probably be followed by other
western systems. Notices were issued for
both companies by their general freight
agent w. c. Stith, of which the following
Is a copy:
In view of its withdrawal from freight
rate associations, on account of the de-
cisionS of the supreme court of the Uni
ted States in the S-InfSSouri freight
that this company adopts it's Individual
schedules those that were current March
g. 1897"
This may be taken to mean that until