The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
WESTERN ASSOCIATIONS.
Provision Must BE Made for Employees
when Offices Are Closed.

CHICAGO, March 27.-The executive off,
GERS of the Western roads met to-day to
consider a number of questions brought up
by the approaching dissolution of the West
ern Freight Association and the Western
Passenger Association. The meeting was
more in the nature of a conference than
a call for action. The principal matter that
came up for consideration was the fate of
the chairmen of the associations and their
employees. To some of these men the roads
are under bond to pay their salaries for
a number of years. They were compelled
TO bind themselves in this way TO secure
the men from positions they already held.
The two chairmen will, of course, be pro-
| vided for, as both are men of unquestioned
| ability in railroad affairs, and it is alto
gether likely that provision will be made
for the smaller officials OF both aSSOcla-
tons. Another matter that came up Tor
long and earnest consideration Is the tate
of the smaller organizations, winch are IN
large part dependent on the lie OF the
main organization. These smaller inStitu-
tionS are the weighing bureaus. claSSinca-
lions committees, and the like, which have
no ratemaking powers, but at the same
time are interested in the rates. 1t is not
within the scope of the decision of the
Supreme Court, but the executive officers
are somewhat in doubt on the matter: No
action was taken on any or the matters
to-day. but IL was the unanimous opinion
tbat the roads cannot get along without
their weighing and classifications organiza-
lions and that some method must be de-
vised by which they can be continued.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids * Northern
announces its withdrawal from the Western
Passenger Association following the action
of the Rock Island yesterday. The Burllng-
ton Cedar Rapids * Northern, however,
has not vet signifed an intention of with
drawal from the freight association.
Two associations Out of business.
ST LOUIS. March 27.-The action of the
majority OF the St. Louis roads In placing
themselves in line with the Supreme Court
decision has rendered both the Southwest
ern Traffic Association and the Southern
Freight Association practically imperative.
The southwestern Association is now prac-
tically without membership. So far official
notices of withdrawal have been received
from the Santa Fe. the Rock Island. the
Southern Pacific, the Texas * Pacific, the
Missouri Pacific, the Iron Mountain and
~ Frisco lines. Though the Missouri,
Kansas K Texas and the Cotton Belt have
not vet formally withdrawn. they are trans
acting no business with the association
thorn IN conflict with the law, and are only
waiting the result of the conference of
railway officials and attorneys, to be held in
ST. Louis Monday.
ALTHOUGH the Missouri Pacific and Iron
Mountain roads are the only ones that have
so far withdrawn from the southern irat-
6c Association. their action has had the Ell
feet of crippling the organization and rem
dering liz Imperative. The Louisville *
Nashville. the Mobile & Ohio. the Illinois
Central and the St. Louis Transfer COM
pany are still nominaliy members OF the