The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-05


the Post-TntsIligencsr last nig4s. states
that there Is no disposition thus far On the
part OF any OF the erstwliie association
roads TO cur rates. So far no overt act has
been committed 5y any OF the roads and all
manifest a disposition 20 be more cautious
and conservative In rate matters than ever.
just because they feel their safeguards have
been removed and they have been thrown
entirely on their own resources. Unless
the bureau becomes a thing of life and
beauty Immediately. however, riotous rate
cutting Is Inevitable.
The bureau referred 10 IS one Of
statistics. OF which the Post-Intelligencer
has spoken Western railroads discovered
as soon as the supreme court rendered its
decision in the TranS-Missourt case that
their associa lions and agreements were IL
legal. and within twenty-four hours after
wards the pool was q thing of the past in
the West. Ever aggressive, ever original.
the Western railroads d gan Immediately to
devise some scheme whereby they might.
as far as possible, accomplish the Pur-
poses OF their pool without violating the
Law. They discovered the bureau, and the
bureau 1t shall De- Meantime. the Eastern
lines. with their Characteristic lassf,ude,
have been clinging feebly to the old hulk.
Western lines met in ST. Paul last We'd
nesday 10 organize their bureau. which was
announced in the Associated Press 1t IS
tant meeting since the supreme court rul-
ing was held al that time. The transcon-
tinental and Eastern lines met at the same
time in New York 10 arrange divisions on
through business. which they claimed was
not illegal
The Missouri freight rate commit
tee, being more loosely organized than 9TH
or associations expects to convert Itself
into bureau with little difficulty.
The railroads having read The full text
of the decision, have tome TO the con-
clusion that they are not prohibited from
getting together and discussing rates nor
from having an understanding as 10 what
reasonable rates are, provided they do
not pass resolutions or formally agree To
maintain them. II will thus be seen that
II the principle OF the bureau IS estab-
lished on a broad scale tha railroads VIII
accomplish a great deal. for their inter-
ests are so great and so complex and
their understandings with one another so
compact that an individual line would be
mourning great risks IN cutting reason
able rate by stirring up the animosity of
competitors as well as by spreading de-
moralization. which might never end. Ii
Will be seen, also that the more success
full such a bureau was in its operations
the more dangerous would be the legal
ground tread upon by the railroads.
Speaking of the latest move of the West
Northern Pacific said There Is no doubt
whatever that all the old associations have
been doomed. and I am glad to see the
Western railroads SO active In working
out a scheme whereby they may. as far Is
possible. maintain reasonable rates without
violating the law. The bureau. as pro-
posed. looks like feasible scheme, and
certainly hope II is. for some understand
ing among the railroads as 10 rates and
their maintenance Is absolutely necessary"
Mr.. Bum expressed the sentiment of legal
and traffic authorities generally In this
statement.
Under the same date Chicago eommu-
nication TO the Post-Intelligencer says that
careful canvass of the Western
and Northwestern roads develops
that no Generalization In rates,
present or prospective. exists save
in the sensa tional predictions of the
newspapers. The most imperative orders
have been issued by the executive officers
of each Western line. forbidding the cut
ting or manipulating of rates.
The Western Trunk Line Company, con-
sisting of the highest traffic officials OF
every road which was a member of the
late Western associations. was called to-
gether Immediately after the announce
ment of the Peckham decision. and this
company is now fully organized and will
be reinforced and assisted by the board Of
administration of the late associations
which Will be organized as bureaus of sta
tistics and information. Every move is be-
ing made under the supervision and direc-
tion of the highest legal advice available.
and ii seems clear that rates are going TO
be fairly maintained without contravention
Of the law. as laid down in the recent de-
cision.
AT least two roads. hitherto members of
the associations, notified their Seattle
agents yesterday of their withdrawal from
any organizations but also stated that all
rates will be kept up. Therefore there has
been TO suggestion of the rate war that
was predicted. but there are those among
the local railroad men who say that such
Will be the result Of the breaking up, and
that II Will be necessary 10 bring the mem
bers Of the different organizations to an I'M
Outstanding.