New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-25
WITHDRAWAL OF WESTERN ROADS.

w li1DRAWALS OF w l,S l-IN.N iNOfND'''
BURLINGTON AND OTHER COMPANIES TRYING TO
KEEP WITHIN THE LETTER OF THE LAW
Chicago. March 2i.-An railroad traffic assoca-
tions in this city RETAINED from transacuns any
business to-day which had to 10 with the rcgua-
ton OF rates or division Of business. Although the
executive officers and clerical force at the various
headquarters remained at their desks, only routine
business and that which does not come WITHIN the
ban OF the Supreme Courts decision was ATTENDED
to- Practically all the associations are In state OF
suspended animation. Cooking over the ground and
waiting 20 find out where they stand as CHAIRMAN
Caldwell Of the Western Passenger Association eA-
pressed IT,
The Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad
gave a sweeping notice of withdrawal to-day from
membership In every freight and passenger tralhc
association. The general counsel Of that company
advised the passenger officials not to animate win
other roads The notice includes the bureaus for
the issue Of mileage tickets and half-fare clergy
permits. which are departments Of the western
Passenger Association. At the same time II MI
upon the plan of appointing b. ID. Cadweli. char-
man of the association. its agent TO attend to
clergy permits and mileage tickets. thus practically
retaining the Association machinery for the sake
Of economy and convenience. THIS method oil
procedure will probably be adopted by other roads
which feel II incumbent upon themselves 10 sever
all official relations with other roads In Association
form. Such action would mean that although the
the Supreme Courts decision. the officials and
other employees of the organizations will he re-
tanned to attend TO business which Is not pro-
hibied. The Burlington read also erased It's name
from all joint-rate sheets with all other lines.
which is Indication that the company believes
the decision prohibits agreements with connecting
lines through business.
The action of the ST. Paul road to-day is in effect
withdrawal from all freight and passenger traffic
associations The official announcement was made
that until the full text of the decision received
and an opinion had been rendered by the legal de-
partmcnt the company will not participate I'm any
association. Its policy Is that nactlon Is equivalent
to withdrawal. and therefore within legal bounds.
II is question among railroad men whether the
mileage and clergy bureaus come within the scope
The Santa Fe Company did not enlarge on its
action Of yesterday limiting its Withdrawn rom
the freight associations This limitation was de
cidcd upon in the opinion which is shared by many
able railroad attorneys that as tnr AMI rus
law Is to prevent the restraint or trade ana com
mcrce only. the terms cannot rightly lee applied to
passengers ana their transportation, when are not
Vcc-C hartman Barker, of the Western Freight
Assoclaiions BOARD Of Admin,iistraiion1 received
Ious's withdrawal from all freight associations
IN thelr of1cPS readllg me nc"splpcrs ana uis-
cussing the railroad situation as presented therein
The same condition Of inertia prevailed at the
Headquarters or the Western ana Iranscontinenta!
Passenger associations. Chairman Caldwell re-
turned to-day from Washington and Ncw-York.
and an important meeting was To have been ned;
but the officials Of roads who came only discussed
y,
would he n continuation of the infOrmality tO-fnor-
row. No business was likewise transacted by Com
missioners Donald and Tucker OF the Central Pas
senger and Central Freight associations respec-
lively.
Galveston. Tex. March 2i-The decision of the
United States Supreme Court holding that the
agreement OF the Trans Missouri Freight Associa-
ton was a violation of the Anti -Trus, law of 1890
caused fut:er among the railway traffic men
here This traffic association is composed entirely
Of lines running through Texas, with its domicc
at st. Louis to be exempt from Texas laws
the subject tut it had to do entirely with rates
affecting this State. General Manager Polk Of the
Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe. said to-day that the
decision clearly knocked traffic associations.
and that they could not continue as NJ present
ganiZed. H expressed the belief. however in view
OF the fact that they have operated successfully
and satisfactorily to the railways well TO the
shippers. that IL would he but question Of n
short time until they were re-estab.iShed on "A basis
not inhibited by law. He did not believe a simple
agreement between railway companies to maintain
just and equitable rates was illegal. This opinion
was shared by other traffic men OF prominence here