Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-24
L RAILROAD RATES.
EFFECT OF RECENT SUPREME
COURT DECISION.
WIDESPREAD AND DISASTROUS WAR.
80 Many Railway Men Think, aud
They Are Preparing for It-DiSso-
n'ion OF Traffic Associations
Denth-hncII OF "DiGerentiaIs."

Death-kncII OF "DiGerentInIS."
CHICAGO. March 23-Withln a week
Il IS expected by high railroad officials
that not one Of the organizations having
jurisdiction over passenger and freight
rates viii be in existence in this country.
aa result OF the recent decision OF the
United States supreme Court shat all
associations which have for their purpose
the maintenance of agreed rates and the
division Of tari0 are Illegal. The Oldest
examinations OF this character must so
TO pieces I'm fact. the work OF disn-
tcgrauou began n this city to-day. the
LEGAL advisers Of grcat railroads being
quick 90 grasp the hopelessness OF the
situation so lar as continued member
ship in these associations is concerned.
Geueral-solicitor Kenna. Of the Santa
fe system. advises the traffic manager OF
that road to withdraw Immediately from
all freight associations of which It has
been O. member IL IS believed that Mr.
kenna Will also advise the Santa FEES
withdrawal from al passenger associa-
t.ous tomorrow. a long consultation
WtNN NtANA AANot lfls OF inc ANlchko. NIL
w0ukco. and ST. Paul road was held by
Gcneral-Sohcitor Peck Before the meet
ing of lawyers. Mr.. Peck said he was adj
wishing that the ST. Paul withdraw at once
from all associations. The counsel for
the Chicago. Rock Island. and Pacific
road advises the officers that the only
legal course 20 pursue is to sever connec-
ton with an associations. On reliable
authority Sc was stated that other inn
portaut lines have also decided TO give
similar notice of withdrawal. as follows:
Wisconsin Central St. Louis and San
Francisco, Minneapolis and ST. Louis. and
Great Western.
The pcremptorv action Of an these COM
panies means the certain disruption OF
the following associations ANA commit
tees: Western Freight Association
Transconuuental Passenger Association,
Western Passenger Association South
em Traffic Association. Trans-Alissouri
Freight Association. Southwestern Pas
sengor Committee. Mississippi Valley
Freight Committee. ST. Paul and Mime
apolis Rate Association, Colorado Freight
Association. the local passenger assoc
Citations OF ST. Louis, Colorado Springs.
Pueblo. Denver. and Chicago: the Local
Frcight-Agents' Association of Chicago;
the ST. Louis Association of General
Passenger Agents. Chicago and ST. Louis
Traffic Association. Western Classihca-
tion Committee. and Minneapolis Termi-
nal Freight Association. The life Of
these organizations is dependent upon
unity Of action. and the withdi wal Of
one line may be followed by the making
OF lower rates. which would Immediately
result lU an the other competing lines
quitting the associations.
EFFECT on RATES.
officers of the various western roads
were divided as TO the effect which this
disruption would have on rates. officials
OF the Santa Fe said they saw no reason
why rates should become demOrahzed,
while representatives Of the Chicago ana
Alton. notably. Nice-president and Gene
ral-NauaEer Chappen, did not see how
rate wars could be prevented. Mr. Chap
pen said. IL think all traffic associa-
tous VIII have 90 90 by the board.
From "a railroad standpoint / think the
decision is an wrong 1T was rendered
without expert opinion"
Nice-President and Gencral-Managcr
Trucsdell. Of the Rock Island road, said
that company would probably withdraw
from all associations. Vice. President Nor
ION. of the Santa Zee. said: 1T do not be-
lieVe the railroads viii cut each others
Threats during this emergency. We look
FOR relief from Congress. but 90 be on the
safe side. We have anuulled our member
shio."
The consensus of opinion is that period
Of widespread and disastrous rate disturb
Rnca is at hand. because each road can
now do @ IS fl plcases. and cut rates openly
ana secretly. regardless of the interstate
commerce law. Railroad men and snip
pers agree that such conditions viii work
Injury TO the general public, giving big
clippers and merchants, who get the low
tst rates. an advantage over competitors.
ID. De-. D. % De- Ia rn-
wise and useless 20 combat the decision,
md that their prompt compliance viii
help The passage Of lows regulating trans
Dortation companies, especially the Pat
ierson pool bin, now pending. IL is the
GENERAL opinion that differenuals, which
me an agreed lower tariff. giving certain
roads am advantage by competitors. Will
have t1 be abolished. Some Of them have
been in force twenty years and have an
important bearing on competition between
rau ANA water routes from chicago east
ward.