The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-26
RATE CUTTING N ORDER
JOINT TRAFFIC DECISION
4aGnstss Rsfrain From Discussing Il
Psuding . Thorough knowledge
Of IT, Purport-soms opin-
ions Impressed.


says: Railroad circles are unwilling to
talk for publication about the Joint
trafiic decision. saying that they could
not discuss the matter with full I'M
derstanding Of all its bearings until
they had had an opportunity to read
the text Of the supreme courts decis-
ion, and James Carter. who, with ex-
Minister ]. Edward Phelps and sena-
tor Edmunds. argued the case of the
Joint traffic association before that tri-
bunal. also declined to say anything In
advance of a careful study of the opin-
ion, the copy Of which he expects to re-
ceive within a day or 80.
1t is generally thought. however. that
the dissolution of all the other existing
railway associations of the country, as
well as the joint traffic association, Is
inevitable. The existence of these bod
les has not had the effect of putting a
stop to rate cutting. and some railroad
men are inclined to think mat the COM
panies will get along fairly well by in
stituting again the system OF gentle
mems agreements" as a substitute for
the associations. Others declare that II
will be absolutely necessary for the
welfare of h roads for congress to
enact new legislation.
Aldace F.. Walker. chairman of the
beard of directors of the Atchison road.
said:
This decision makes action by con-
gress imperative, as the railroad BUSH
ness cannot be conducted In conformity
with the antitrust law as construed by
the supreme court"
President Fink, of the Norfolk &
Western. said he had fully expected
that the supreme court would decide
against the railroads.
Nevertheless" he added, II believe
as I always ave believed, that rate
agreements are not in restraint of
trade, but on the contrary. they facil-
itate il. The railroads will now have
TO shape their organizations to fit the
law"
1t is expected that the board of con-
troll of the joint traffic association will
meet within a few days to take ac-
tion in lieu of the courts decision, per-
haps changing the Joint traffic amend
ment so greatly as TO make the associa-
ton IN future nothing more than a
bureau of information.
Chicago, Oct. 25.-The following are
the opinions expressed by leading rail-
way officials OF the city on the decision
of the United States supreme court In
the Joint traffic association case, all be-
ing given without a knowledge OF the
text Of the decision except that 1t Is
against the joint traffic lines:
J. F. Tucker. chairman of the Gen.
trail Freight association. says:
II hav not seen the decision. and
therefore cannot say how IL will affect
the Central Freight association. The
Joint Traffic association saw fit to con-
tinue its existence after the supreme
court nae decided the trans-Missouri
freight case. on the ground that It's
agreement differed from that of the
Western body. 1t may be that the Cen
trail Freight. agreement differs from
that of the Joint Traffic association"
Chairman Caldwell of the Western
Passenger association:
las I understand the decision, II does
not affect us In any way. Our organi-
cations were all dissolved at the time
the supreme court decided the trans
Missouri freight Gale n reorganized
to conform to that decision. The re-
vised agreements were submitted TO a
committee of counsel and approved by
that committee. Our agreements do
not provide in any way for the organi-
zation making. fixing or controlling
rates. but each line makes its own tar
IFS. and ach may change its rate
without questioning others. We have
no machinery for maintaining rates.
Chairman Parker, Of the Western
Freight association:
IF the court simply reafiirms its po-
SltlOn IN tne rams Niissoufi rfeiSh' 20
ISOLATION. 1t is a disappointment to the
railroads. I imagine that u agree
ment is very much like that of the
Joint Traffic association. The scheme of
the Eastern roads was followed closely
when we organized the Western Joint
Traffic bureau, but that was dissolved
in 1896. Since then we ave had only
a shadow of an agreement, but ii has
been along the same ines as that the
court has Just decided to be illegal"
II. II. Cartwright. of the Western
Trunk lines committee:
Before the Western men can say
how they are affected by this decision,
they must see the full ext OF the judy