The herald., 1897-03-25

all this business has been transacted
through the local ONCE of that associa
tion. In the future these firms Will pre-
sent their billings to the different rail-
way companies individually. Should thu
roads refuse to transact the business
thus offered them, the unlawfulness o
the organization of the Western Freigh
association may be brought to the atten'
tion of the federal courts.
WHISPERS BARRED.
| READING, Pa. March 24.-Superin'
tendent Passmore of the Reading anc
Southwestern street railway has issuee
orders to all employees that on and after
April they must dispense with theil
mustaches and boards. The order has
| caused much dissatisfaction.
! Following the action of the Burling-
ton and the Minneapolis and st Louis In
withdrawing from the association, the
board Of administration of the west
freight association took decided steps
and ordered the officers of the association
in the Rookery building to be closed an
no more business will be transacted by
1t until orders come from the executive
officials of the roads composing the as
sociation TO wind up its affairs.
In regard to the above the Inter-Ocean
will tomorrow say:
This hasty closing of offices that have
been maintained for years, and until n
day or so ago one of the most important
factors in the west, is sensational and
only lends to augment the panic now
existing among the big railroad systems.
1t fiings upward of hundred clerks of
various kinds and degree out of employ
ment, and in day or SO this number is
likely to be increased by the probable
dissolution of the western passenger as
ISOLATION"
ST. LOUIS, March 24.-The Missouri
Pacific late this afternoon gave notice
of its withdrawal from all freight asso-
Citations. This, however, does not in
clude weighing and inspection bureaus.
KANSAS CITY, March PAS a
result of the supreme court decision
holding that the Sherman antitrust law
applies to railroads, the Kansas CITY
Fort Scott and Memphis road today gave
formal notice of withdrawal from the
western freight association and the
trans Missouri freight rate committee,
the only traffic organizations in which
the Memphis road is represented.
GROWING ANXIOUS.
CHICAGO. March 24-Two roads fol-
lowed .he example of the Santa Fe in
withdrawing from the Western Freight
association TO day. These were the Bur-
lington and Minneapolis and st. Louis,
They both went step further than the
Santa Fe in that they withdrew from
all reorganizations of which they are
members, passenger as well as freight.
The Santa Fe is still a member of the
Western Passenger association, and will
remain so until further notice. 1t was
expected that the Rock Island and the
Milwaukee and st. Paul would also
withdraw today, but after mature de-
liberation, these two roads decided to
content themselves with abstaining from
any action in meetings or looking to-
ward changes in rates as they stand a.
present until the full scope of the su-
preme courts decision can be fully as
certained. The Chicago and Northwest
ern road occupies a similar position.
All the associations still retain their
corporate existence. ard will continue
to do so for the time being. None of
them will, however, attempt to do any
business until it is decided what their
future will be. That they will be con-
tinued in some form Is foregone con-
clusion. The business of the roads is
too much interviewer to permit of its
transaction without some means of mu-
tual action.
1t is believed that some way will be
found to reorganize them in way so
as TO prevent a conflict with the law
and to that end. the energy of the Off
cials will be bent.
A conference of passenger representa-
tives Of Kansas City roads was held here
today. Its object was the consideration
of rate Generalization at Kansas City
east bound, and especially through the
ST Louis gateway. Owing to the ex-
citement into which the supreme courts
decision in the transmissouri case has
thrown the roads, the conference took
the shape of an informal discussion of
the situation, and no definite decision
was arrived at. Threats are openly
made. however, that unless deals with
the brokers are discontinued. an open
reduction in rates Will be made.
SAGE'S VIEWS.
NEW YORK, March 24-Russell Sage,
when interviewed today regarding he
decision of the supreme court agains:
the Transmissouri Traffic association,
said that a four to five decision was not
alarming at all
1t is bound to come out all right in
the end" continued Mr.. Sage. "There
is no question on that point. Brains
and capital have ruled the world since
the advent OF man, and natural laws
have not been changed because of this
ere adverse decision. No human law
can prevent the combination of interests
in social or business affairs. So-called
protective laws are not needed by the
public for no association or trust has
yet been able to operate with profit for
any length of time when 1t attempted to
oppress the people. I think an amend
mert of the present law will be asked of
congress whereby combinations of in
terests can be legally effected. AS to
the railroad properties in which 1 am
personally interested, do not yet know
what will be done, or whether they will
withdraw frorBthe associations to which
they belong. The directors will meet
in the course of time and will talk over