The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-25
WILL NOT DISSOLVE.
JOINT marie ASSOCIATION WAIT
ING ron FUEIHIR ADyICEs.
The Southeastern Association May BE
Disrupted. But Future Course
IL uinied Al.

at its regular session to-day, dccidtu thd''
in view OF the uncertainty concerning the
exact scope OF the Supreme Courts de-
cislon In the Trans Missouri case, the
Joint Traffic Association should continue
in operation. Tho determination TO main
t.in accumulation was based not only on
tho views of the several members OF the
beard. but upon the advice OF James &
Carter OF counsel for the association, VINO
tins morning notified Commissioner
blanchard that the fun text oil the Su-
prome Courts decision had not arrived,
and until il had been received and fully
considered he deemed 1t not advisable
To take any action looking 10 the disrup-
ton OF the association.
SOUTHEASrEKN ASSOCIATION.
FORT MONROE VA. March Y-The
members OF the Southeastern Traihc AS
ISOLATION. now in session al Chdmpe'il
Hotel are in a state OF mind over the
recent decision OF the Supreme Court. oe-
claring such combinations unlawful. Ihey
have been In session all day behind closed
doors and will give nothing out Tor pub
ncation. As the members are law-abidins
citizens. the organization VIII, no noup''
be dissolved IN obedience 10 the mandate
of the court but whether this VIII pre-
vent about the same party Of gentlemen
a year to have a pleasant visit, and diI
cuss business matters in a general way
remains TO be seen.
MORE
MIR FINK'S VIEWS.
NEW YORK. March 24.-Presdent Fink,
OF the Norfolk and Western railroad
SAYS. i'm reference 10 the Supreme Court
decision against the Trans Missouri
Freight Association, that the railroads
n
fast I'm considering that the traffic asso-
Citations must disband. The real ques-
ton is whether all restraint Of commerce
IS unlawful as decided in the TRANSMITS
souri, case
'.Thc decision applies to one specific
case" said NJ. Fink. land II is not fair
TO argue that under it all the traffic as
sociations are Illegal Personally. / don't
think they are. Every railroad has the
right 10 endcdvor to get the brit results
from the conduct of its own business.
The Joint Traffic Association case Will
come before long before the Supreme
Court involving rehearing of all the
points at issue and the position Of the
law may change the aspect OF the situa-
ton.
without the traiic association it would
he utterly impossible 20 carry out the
interstate commerce law and the Inter
state Commissioners are the complainants
in the present joint traffic case. The
decision rendered Monday in the Trans
Missouri case seems to me TO be based
on a misunderstanding of facts, and If
II were carried out against all the traffic
associations. IL would be n disaster to
business. the extent of which could not be
calculated. Not only would the railroads
be unable TO see five days ahead. but as
practically as all industries are dependant
on the transportation, all would suffer
greatly"
SUSPENDED ANIMATION.
CHICAGO. March A.-All railroad
traffic associations in this city refraned
from transactng any business to-day
which has TO do with the regulation of
rates or division of business. Although
the executive officers and clerical force
M the various headquarters remained at
their desks, only routine business and
that which does not come under the ban
of the Supreme Courts decision was at
tended 10. Practically all the associations
are in state CT suspe ndeI animation.
looking over the ground, and waiting TO
find out whore they stand" as Chairman
Caldwell. of the Western Passenger AS
socia,ion. expressed 1t.
The Chicago Burlington and Quincy
railroad gave "A sweeping notice of with
drawal to-Gay from membership i'm every
freight and pass enger traffic association.
The general counsel Of that company adj
Nised the oasseI ger officials not TO affil-
tate with other roads The notice in
cludcs the bureaus for the issue Of mile
age tickets and half-farc clergy permits
which are departments of the Western
Passenger Association. At the same time
II hit upon the plan of appointing b. ID.
Caldwell. chairman of the association. its
agent. 10 attend 10 clergy permits and
mileage tickets. thus practically retain
ing the association machinery fer the sake
of economy and convenience.
BY ANOTHER NAME.
This method of procedure will probably
be adopted by other roads which feel
II incumbent upon themselves TO sever
all official relations with other roads in
association form. Such action would
mean that although the associations will
Ice dissolved in compliance with the Su-
preme Courts decision. the ofiictls and
other employees of the organizations will
be retained TO attend to business. which
IS not prohibited. The Burlington road
also erased it's name from all joint rate
sheets with all other lines which is an in
dication the company believes the de-
cision prohibits agreements with con-
Meeting lines on through business.
The action of the ST. Paul road to-day
is I'm effect "A withdrawal from all freight
and passenger traffic associations. The
official announcement was made that UNI
Ill the full text of the decision was re-
ceivcd and an opinion had been rendered
by the legal department. the company
will not participate in any association.
It's policy is In action equivalent TO with
drawal and therefore within legal bounds.
II is "a question among railroad men
whether the mileage and clergy bureaus
come within the scope Of the decision.
OTHER ROADS.
The Santa Re Company did not enlarge
on its action Of yesterday. limiting its
withdrawal from the freight association.
The limitation was decided upon in the
opinion. which Il shared by many able
railroad attorneys, that as the antitrust
law Is TO prevent the restraint of trade
and commerce only the terms cannot
rightly be applied TO passengers and their
transportation, which are not commodi-
ties.
Chairman Barker. Of the Western
Freight Associations Board OF Admins
tration received official notice to-day OF
the Minneapolis and ST. Louis road 5 with
drawal from all freight associations The
members OF the Board O.: Administration
discussed the railroad situation as pre-
scented in the newspapers. The same in
ertia prevailed at the headquarters OF the
Western and Trans-Continental Passenger
Associations Chairman Caldwell return
ed to-day from Washington and New
York and an important meeting was TO