Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-26
NOHOPEFORTHEM
Railways May as Well Give Up
Their Rate Combines.


Seems she Opinion Of People Who Will
Talk-Chicago Roads Getting into Safe
Positions and the Associations Paralyzed
Final Decision in the Near Future-Col.
Morrison Gives His Views.
Chicago, March 26.-Railroad officials
are in a Quandary over the supreme
court decision relative to freight pools.
Whether or not it applies to all associa-
lions. both passenger and freight, few
Of them care to express an opinion.
They are all waiting the advice of the
railroad attorneys. Some of the roads,
to be on the safe side, have withdrawn
from all associations with which they
were connected. But others are hold
ing of to learn the exact scope Of the
decision. which promises to dissolve all
traffic combines.
The withdrawal Of the Burlington
from all its passenger and freight asso-
Citations has been the cause Of no little
conjecture and comment on the part OF
the officials Of other roads. That ac-
ton. however. does not indicate any,
thing on the part Of the Burlington
people except a determination to be on
the safe side if the decision proves to
AFFECT all traffic organizations. That 1t
will do SO. however, seems to be the
opinion Of the officers of the company.
Thinks 1t Means . Clean Sweep.
Vice President George B. Harris
said yesterday: "As q layman. 1 do
not want to pose as giving a review Of
the supreme court decision. 1 have not
seen the printed decision, but what /
can learn of it'll should say that 1t means
the complete dissolution Of all traffic
organizations, both freight and passen-
ger. Our company has withdrawn from
all such associations, for what reason
I cannot say"
The views expressed by Mr.. Harris
seem to be common among railroad
men. However. they do not say so. but
are waiting till an opinion shall be ex-
pressed by their legal representatives.
An informal conference of western lines
for the purpose Of discussing the situa-
ton was held yesterday in the rooms
of the Western Passenger association.
Chairman B. d. Caldwell, Of that or
ganization, is as much at loss as are
other railroad officials of the city, and
like them. he is keeping quiet on the
subject till legal opinion has been
expressed. Should the decision be as
| widespreading in it's effect as is proph-
esied for it there will doubtless be a
combined effort on the part Of both
eastern and western railroads to have
| further legislation on the subject.
Associations Are All Paralyzed.
The Chicago and Northwestern, Mis-
souri, Pacific and St. Louis and San
Francisco roads yesterday filed notice
of withdrawal from all the traffic asso-
| Citations of which they are members.
The Louisville and St. Louis Air Line
has also Withdrawn from the Southern
States Freight association of which it
was a member. a meeting of the execu-
| tive officers of the western roads was
held yesterday in the office of Third
Vice President Morton, of the Santa Fe,
to talk over the situation. At the close
| of the meeting, however, it was an
nounced that no concerted action had
been decided upon, and none was likely
| to be. The more the decision of the su-
preme court is considered the more
clearly does it appear that not a vestige
| of ground is left for the traffic associa-
tons, as they have heretofore been con-
Quoted, on which to exist. All that
now remains for their roads to do is to
direct their energies to securing legis-
lation that will open some way for them
| to conserve their interests and prevent
their revenues from being dissipated by
mad competition. None Of the associa-
lions attempted to do any business yes
| terday.