Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-27
JOINT TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION.
"eeung or Attorneys-Thc Appeal
Ordered by McKennn.


NEW YORK, March pa meeting OF
the attorneys of the various lines which
are members of the Joint Traffic Asso-
cation has been called for Tuesday at
IL O'CLOCK at the Office of Carter & Led
yard. counsel for the association. A
meeting Of the Board Of Control will be
called. to be held after the meeting Of
counsel
District-Attorney Mcfarland said to-
day that the appeal directed by Attor-
ney-General McKenna from the decision
of the New York Circuit Court Of APP
peals, in the Joint Traffic Association
case would be made at once. He thought
the record would go up on Monday. Mr.
Mcfarland thinks the case will be ad-
vanced at the request Of the Attorney
General, and that a decision will prOba-
bly, be rendered in April.
SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION.
FORT MONROE VA. March 26-The
Southwestern Traffic Association brought
their four days session TO a close this
afternoon, and most Of the members
have eft for their homes. Much busi-
ness Of importance was transacted, and
many points of difference between COM
peting lines were adjusted. The organiza-
tion will be continued unless circum-
stances render its dissolution imperative.
WESTERN LEGAL VIEW.
CHICAGO, March pa conference Of
the local representatives of Chicago rail-
roads was held to-day in the Office Of
George ~ Peck. general counsel for the
Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul road.
B. +. Aver, general counsel for the Hi
nois Central Company, presided, and
there was full attendance of lawyers
from important lines west, south, and
north of Chicago. The conference was
called on account Of the Supreme Courts
decision adverse to railroad traffic
associations The prevailing sentiment
Of those present showed that the west
ern railroad lawyers are practically a
unit in the opinion that the eastern rail-
road lawyers and Joint Traffic Associa-
ton magnates are wrong from a legal
standpoint in assuming that the deci-
sion does not place the stamp Of ille-
gality on any other association except
the Trans Missouri Association. The
lawyers declared that the decision out
lawed such associations as the Western
Freight Association, and the result Of
the conference will be that such roads
as have not already formally withdrawn
from that organization will forthwith
serve notice to that effect.
The relation Of the decision to pas
SenGer ASSOCIATIONS was HpL NlotuS0Su
sufficiently for a general opinion to be
given out and each road for the pre-
sent will be guided by its own lawyers.
The Chicago. Rock Island. and Pacihc,
and the Sioux City and Northern. the
latter road running between Minneapolis
and ONeill. Neb.. sent notices of with
drawal to-day from all traffic associa-
tons. The Western Freight Association
has practically ceased TO exist many
employees have already been discharged
for lack Of work to do. and those of a
higher grade are seeking positions else
where. Most of the officials have con-
tracts which run till 1898 including Com
missioner Midgley who is now in the
Holy Land. on a leave OF absence.
The disagreement Of transcontinenta'
roads as to the payment Of commissions
is reported to have already led TO in
dependent action on the part of the
Union Pacific, which may the beginning
of serious rate trouble. in the absence
of the transcontinental rate agreement,
except on paper.