The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-02
WITH THE RAILROADS
PR0vIss0Ss or THE NEW AGREE
MEAT THAT - VOW IN FORCE
The Tariffs 10 be Announces VIII ne
81 Great Importance 10 rsa
Ssona shippers = Tcvrstery E@-
brneea In the Association ssss'S
Larger Than THAT Of the Old One
Rate Question Handled very
GfngerIy.


were members of the Transcontinenfal
and Western Associations have already
signed the new agreement. and others are
coming In as rapidly convenience ana
disposition viii allow. The practical or
ganixatson of the bureau of statistics was
ACCOMPLISHED at the meeting in Chicago
last week. when the .Transcontinentai
ard Southwestern Passenger Associa-
ffons, with eighteen roads. became ANAL
rasaafed OfElcial copies OF the agreement
have not yet reached Seattle, but the As
rocfafed Press and special wife service
10 railway officers here bring the isnpor-
tnnt news that the new bureau viii De
stronger organization and wider In It's
scope than the old associations which leg
ally passed out of existence Friday
night.
Tho new tariffs will be documents or
great importance TO shippers IN the Pu-
yet sound country. and while they viii
undoubtedly confirm the old Western
classlficatfons. the attendant feeling OF
ease Will be welcome I'm basing shipping
expenses. Yesterday the agreement be-
came effective Immediately succeeding the
forming OF the association
AZ IL known. the association was Or
ennixed along the lines suggested by the
recent decision By the supreme court OF
the United States In the trans Missouri
rate case, In which il was plainly decided
that an agreement to maintain and pool
rates had been effected and carried out.
The governing power In the new assoc
citation Is vested In an executive COM
mittee OF seven members. who have al
ready been selected. Circulars have an
Hosl1ced the selection OF Mes<rs. w. +.
White. j. Charlton. e. III. Heaford. W. II.
Knfskeru, John Sebastian. +. s. Eustis
and c. s. Crane. The territory embraced
IN the new association is vastly larger
than that OF the old association. as Il
embraces the trapseontinentai systems
and reaches as far as British Columbia.
In fact. two Of the local associations, on
shoots OF the big association. are TO be
located on British soil.
Tie new agreement carefully avoids
any phraseology which can be construed
as an agreement or proposition TO main
tain rates. The rate question, In fact, is
handled very giDgeriy, and there will be
no open attempt. at least. TO control rates
after the old fashion. The moral effect OF
the association will. however probably.
secure the same results as the old assoei-
alton. The territory covered by the
agreement embraces Minnesota. Iowa, the
northern peninsula OF Michigan, WILSON,
sin. that portion OF Illinois embraced In
and Gest OF the Illinois Central railroad
territory. part of Missouri. all of Kan
sas, Nebraska. Indian territory. Okiaho-
ma, portion of Colorado. Wyoming.
North Dakota. part OF South Dakota.
California. Montana. Washington Neva-
da. Oregon and British Columbia The
exceptions TO Minnesota territory Is on
local business between ST. Paul and Min
ncapolis. also between Duluth and Srpe-
rior.
The agreement. so far as its routine
matters go. IL very similar to the old
agreement. There will be a chairman
who IL to act AS executive officer Of the
association, and who is elected By the
unanimous vote OF the members. The
chairman and executive committee will
pass upon matters which are brought up
by the various roads. and make recon-
lamentations to the association The ex-
penses OF the association. with the excep-
ton OF that OF the chairman. will be
under the control OF the executive com
mtttee. and VIII be borne proportionateiy
by all the members.
The members are required TO nle with
the chairman of the association their rate
sheets. tariffs. rules and regulations per-
tanning To the passenger traffic OF the
road. Here Is where the reorganization
comes In. The articles state that after
receiving the rates. tariffs. etc. the
chairman shall take steps 10 see tina, the
Information s.is disseminated among the
members" The chairman Is also in
structed to sec that the rates are pub
cooperate 10 dc
In Issuing joint rates.
The effect OF the supreme court aeri-
sion is plainly seen I'm the follow,ng
clause: Nothing herein shall he cor
strued as preventing any member from
taking Individual action In changing or ,s-
suing rates. Whenever n change Is mate
the announcement must be sent to the
chairman immediately, and he will in
turn notify competing lines and lines in
feresfed All rulings by the chairman sre
10 DC binding. unless reversed by a ma
3ority vote or the members
Ths aim az the association Is summoned
10 be TO punish members who v,olat. a.,
law. and with this end In view the ebatr
man under the agreement Is authorized
10 examine the books and records OF rnern-
bers for the purpose OF Investigating ,ha
complaints fled by discontente,, ,,e,,.hers
When the chairman Is satisfied that tha
ratss are being illegally or sarr.,r,.
changed In violation Of The state t.,lo,,l
or Interstate laws. or when am, navtv A.
found 20 be guilty OF acts I'm eon,aict x.t,,
the spirit or the agreement. IL becomes he
dnty or the chairman to recommend such
action as VIII protect Interested lines. II
Is also made the duty 90 the chairman "a
discourage and prevent Violafiors 90 a.,
Interstate law or state laws In case os
Illegal acts by lines outside Of tn.. GEO.,
alton. the chairman - 20 issue an or,,sr
In the name OF the traffic offsrlals =, =,
tercsted Hines. suspeading the Joint rela-
tons between the offending outside line
and the members
The association viii establish focal
bureaus I'm Chicago. st. Louis. kansas
city. LeavenwortA. Omaha. Des AToinss
81 Joseph. 50. Paul. Minneapolis Dsr,
yer Colorado Springs rucbic san fran.
cisco. Los Angeles. Portland finrh,,,,,s,
Seattle. Tacoma. Vancouver ana ytrtorss
and New Whatcoml, Dealing WITH ~
facilitating the business OF brokers' In -,