Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-03-27
1T WAS A DEATH BLOW.


Railroads Desert Freight and PassenEss
Pools as a Result of tho Supreme CouFt'a
Decision Declaring such Combines H.
legal
CHICAGO, March 24.-Within weels
It is expected by high railroad officials
that not one of the organizations hay
ng jurisdiction over passenger and
freight rates will be in existence in this
country, as a result of the plain decis-
on of the United States supreme court
hat all associations which have fos
heir purpose the maintenance of
greed rates and the division of traffic
re illegal. The oldest organizations
this character must go to pieces.
here is no loophole for escape. In fact
he work of disintegration began in this
ity Tuesday, the legal advisers of the
reat railroads being quick to grasp
he hopelessness of the situation so far
continued membership in those asso-
iations was concerned.
General Solicitor Kenna, of the Santa
Ne system, advised the traffic manager
# that road to withdraw Immediately
rom all freight associations of which
has been member. 1t is believed
Mr.. Kenna will also advise the Santa
Fe's withdrawal from all passenger
associations. A long conversation with
other attorneys of the Chicago, Mil
waulkee & st. Paul road was held by
General Solicitor Peck. Before the
meeting of lawyers Peck said he would
advise the st. Paul's withdrawal at
once from all associations. The coun.
sci of the Rock Island road advised the
Nfpn tl,at l,n 60
pursue was to sever connection with
all associations On reliable authority
it was stated that the following other
important lines have also decided to
give similar notice of withdrawal: st.
Louis & San Francisco, Minneapolis &
st. Louis, Chicago 81 Great Western
and Wisconsin Central.
The peremptory action of all these
companies means the certain disrup
tion of 10 associations and committees.
The life of these organizations is de-
pendent on the action of all lines and
the withdrawal of one line may be fol-
lowed by the making of lower rates.
which would Immediately result in
the same course being followed by all
the other competing lines composing
the association.
The consensus of opinion is that a
period of widespread and disastrous
rate disturbance is at hand, because
each road can now do as it pleases and
cut rates openly and secretly, regard
less of the Interstate commerce law
Railroad men and shippers agree thai
such conditions will work injury to the
general public, giving big shippers and
merchants who get lowest rates an nd
vantage over competitors. Railroad
officials here were paralyzed by the de-
cision and little business was done. AL
of them were busy discussing the effect
of the decision and speculating on the
future The officers of associations
were most deeply concerned. At the
headquarters of the Western Freight
association the board of administra.
tion did nothing, although an impor'
tant meeting for division of traffic was
called for yesterday.
Chicago officials believe it would be
unwise and useless to combat the de.
cision and that their prompt compli-
ance will help the passage of laws reg
ulating transportation companies, es
pecially the Patterson pooling bill now
pending. 1t is the general opinion
; that differentials, which are an agreed
! lower tariff given by roads at disad'
! vantage by competitors, will have tc
| be abolished