Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-31
JOINT TRAFFIC. ASSN
IMPORTANT CONFERENCh VT
COUNSEL AT NEW YORK.
EARLY HEARING OF The APPEAL.
A Joining with the Government 10
This End-CaIi on western ho""s
by Commerce Commission LOT "iiis
of Lnding.

NElW 0Olh. MdIIi ~
conference between counsel for the MEM
bers Of the Joint Traffic Association was
held to-day I'm the offices OF Carter *
Ledyard. No. 81 Wall street The con-
ference which was attended by attorneys
from almost every railroad Included IN
the Joint Traffic Association, was Tor
the purpose Of discussing the decision OF
the Supreme Court in the Trans-Mis-
souri, Freight Association case Ihere
are capable lawyers who declare that this
decision does not apply to the JOINT
Traffic Association, and all the phases ot
the situation were discussed.
The meeting was held behind eosed
doors. and reporters were excluded
Among those present were f. j. Fnelps'
ex-Mjnister to England. special eyunsei
for the New York Central Railroac COM
pany; Frank Loomis, also or the Ne"
York Central Railroad Company Johh
r. Kerr. of the Ontario and Western; eN-
limited States Senator George +. Ed
munds special counsel for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company; Receiver }. cow
an. of the Baltimore and Ohio; eN-Judge
Ashbel Green. Of the West Shore; Frank
Rond. of the Michigan Central; f. B.
Jennings. OF the Erie; Henry Wlckham'
of the Chesapeake and Ohio; X. w De
Forest. OF the Jersey Central, and James
G Carter and Lewis Cass Ledyafd, couh-
sci for the Joint Traffic Association.
The conference lasted until nearly z
o'clock. When ii adjourned Mr. LED
vard announced that a letter had been
drawn up and sent TO the JOINT lIaihc
Association, giving the views OF the lesai
advisers. which was to join win the
United States Government to secure an
early hearing of the Joint Traihc AS
sociation appeal
The Attorney-General is TO make hlQ-
ton with the Joint Traffic Association
Thursday next 10 have the appear heard
at the present term. In the mean tiihe,
the Joint Traffic Association has been
advised to continue, as it has done here
tofore. pending the determination OF the
legality of the organization.
Mr. Iedyard. when asked what steps
the Joint Traffic Association would take
In case the Supreme Court declued that
the organization was Illegal, SAID that
the conference did not consider that
phase of the situation. When the case
comes up i'm the Supreme Court, the ar
eument for the Joint Traffic Association
will be made by Mr.. Carter, eN-Minlster
Phelps. and ex-senator Edmunds. Inc
railroads expect this formidable array OF
legal talent TO present their case In a
way which will result In decision In
their favor.
THE WESTERN ROADS
CHICAGO. March 30.-All the eastern
railroads which enter Chicago, except the
Chicago and Grand Trunk, have received
notices from the Interstate Commerce
Commission to forward 10 their once AT
washington, on or before April lOth, All
bills of lading and other evidence or the
shipment of grain and gram prouucls,
ana packing-house products between Aprll
1Sgs. and March |, 1897. This notice Gre
ated some surprise and concern among
the freight officials, who had been inclined
10 treat lightly the published announce
ment that the. Commerce Commission ald-
ed by the Chicago Board OF Trade luFes-
tigation next month, intended 10 make d
searching inquiry into the giving OF re-
duced rates The omission OF the Giand
Trunk from the list was agreed 10 be a
mistake. although the first impression
gave rise TO general charges that this
road had been foremost in rate cutting.
Chicago officials say the evidence ueslreu
will be prepared as soon as possible and
false statements 10 the commission.
An important meeting Of presidents,
general officers. and traffic men connected
with western roads will be held IN the
Rookery tomorrow. 1t is understood
that the plan to be carried out, In view
OF the Supreme Courts recent decision
has already been prepared by commit
tee. The proposition is to maintain the
Western Freight Traffic Association as d
bureau of information Many OF the ON
cials are under contract at large salatleS'
and the roads cannot utilize their services
IN any other manner Each road will. IN
This way. act as a spy upon the other
and thus the tendency will be to maintain
rniforn rates There is 10 be Teroal
contract embracing the salary features oi
tho nresent agreement, but omitting the
direct-penalty clause. This agreement &c
inform on violators Of the law Is con-
sldered the only way TO prevent secre'
rate-cutting.
MILEAGE BUREAU CONTINUED
The Messenger officials of western roads
met to-day and decided TO continue the
mileage and clergy permit bureau OF tht
Western Passenger Association. The gene
raj organtzation will be maintained toI
the nurnose of compiling statistics and
disseminating them for general lhroriha'
tion. Messrs Newman, OF the Giea'
Northern; Munroe, of the Union racine
Rosworth OF the Canadian Pacific, and
Risse1 of the Santa Fe, were mere 70.
day. on their way to New York TO atteno
a meeting of eastern railroad men. Inc
question is 10 agree on division OF west
hound transcontinental business.
w. A. Russell. general passenger asen'
NJ the ST. Paul and Duluth road has re-
signed
THE KENTUCKY BALLOTING.