Evening star., 1897-03-24
Philadelphia Lawyers on the Rail-
way Pool Decision.
20 NOT HOLD PREVAILING OPINION
Claim that the Joint Traffic Asso-
citation is Not Involved.
ACTION TAKEN AT CHICAGO

PHILADELPHIA March 4.-Railroad
lawyers In this city do not share the pre-
vailing impression that the decision of the
United States Supreme Court in the case
of the Trans Missouri Freight Association
settles the question of the legality of the
Joint Traffic Association and will compel
its dissolution. Several railroad lawyers
who have followed the cases against both
the Trans Missouri and the Joint Traffic
Association. while admitting that the de-
cision as reported seems to be that the
Trans-Missouri Association violated the
Sherman antitrust law, hold that the case
was decided It's merits. and that the
Joint Traffic Association Is another matter.
Involving another agreement, which will
have 70 he passed upon.
one railroad attorney. who has careful
" followed both cases. said: The case of
the Joint Traffic Association presents many
points of difference from that Of the Trans
Missouri Association. When the former
was orgaHizei all the points of objection
to the latter Were fully and carefully con-
sidered by eminent counsel. and were omit
ted far possible.
For the present the Joint Traffic Asso-
Ciation must he taken to be upheld by the
courts The Judgment of Judge Wheeler,
hich has been affirmed by Judges Wal
lace and Lscombe. sitting in the circuit
court of appeals. IS. until reversed by the
United States supreme Court. the law of
that case. Tie Trans-NissoUri case in
many respects presented other and differ
ent questions Nothing has. therefore, been
finally decided that will prevent the Joint
Traffic Association from being sustained by
the Supreme Court when this case is
heard
Approaching Dissolution.
CHICAGO. March 24.-Every western
freight pool association and association
having headquarters in Chicago is appar-
emily in condition approaching dissolution
as a result Of the decision of the federal
Supreme Court declaring all such pools to
ne in violation of the Sherman antitrust
act.
One railroad. the Atchs0H Topeka and
Santa Fe. has taken quick action and serv-
ed notice of withdrawal from all the freight
crganfza ttonS of which 1t has been "A mem
Ter. These are: Western Freight Associa-
tton. Southwestern Traffic Associate Col
0rado Freight Association. TranscontinentaI |
Freight Committee. Trans Missouri Rate
committee. Seaboard Committee general
eastern agents of the western roads in New
york and other seaboard points,.
All these associations have been pract:-
caiiy aSardoned Besides the Santa Fe
the burlington Minneapolis and St Louis
Wisconsin Central. Chicago Great Western
and several others ara said TO have. al
ready forwarded notice Of withdrawal
NO notice OF withdrawal from the West
eTH passenger Association or other nassen-
ger organizations of tn west has vet b.en
given There is hardly doubt however
mat these also will have 70 go by the BOARD
chairman Morrison of the Interstate com
merce commission has rendered an opinion
iilit the Trdns-NIssOuri Freight Associa-
t'on case applies to the passenger as well
as the freight associations of every char
acter. '
AS a further result of he United States
supreme Court decision in the TRANSMITS
souri, Freight Association case th. entire
burlington railway system TODAY CAV.
formal notice of withdrawal from both the
western Freight Association and the West.
erh Passenger Association. Notice of with
draWai from all the subordinate. b1,-eai;s
oi lhost TWO associations was also given
IL - regarded as almost certain tha. this
action on the part of the burlington road
coming after the withdrawal yesterday of
the santa re system, Will be followed al
one 10y nearly all the western roads
me Rock Island and Milwaukee and st
fauI roads are expected TO Withdraw b,-
fore night w
ihis or course. means the itsrIption of
the association. but will not necessarily re-
su4' IN a generalization of rates In fact
tne burlington has appointed Chairman
taiGWell of the Western Passenger Assc-
ciation to handle its mileage tickets .nd
20 issue ciergymen's permits. which IS re-
sarded as first step toward d reorpaniza.
uon or the Western Passenger Association
although necessarily on different lines.