Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-10-27
Ube Daily Graphic.
WHAT WESTERN MEN
 THINK OF THE DECISION.
'EEaey Do Not Relieve the Finding VIII Have Any Effect on Several Vest
 ern Organizations.

Chicago, Oct. 26.-The following are ahe opinions expressed by leading rail- Eoad officials of the city on the decision of the United States supreme court in ehe Joint Traffic association case, all be- Ing given without knowledge of the text Of the decision except that it is against the Joint Traffic association lines.
 J. F. Tucker, chairman of the Central Freight association says:
 ''I have not seen the decision and can a1ot say, therefore, how it will affect the Central Freight association The Joint Freight association saw fit to continue ata existence after the supreme court had decided the transmissouri freight case on tho grounds that it's agreement differed from that of the western body.
 'It may be that the Central Freight agreement differs from that of the Joint Traffic association.
 Commissioner Donald of the Central Passenger association:
 'sThe decision is sad blow for the railroads. It is to be regretted that the court could not have had in view the results which will follow such decision and been able to decide the case on the broad grounds of equity. The re- ault will probably be to reduce all traf- f9c organizations of the country to a ba- ais of very questionable value. 1 do not know what will become of the or ganization of which am chairman; that remains to be seen. !"
 Chairman Caldwell of the Western Passenger association:
 "As understand the decision it does aaot affect us i'll any way. Our organiza- tions were all dissolved at the time the supreme court decided the transmits ssouri freight case and reorganized to con- form to that decision The revised agreements were submitted to commit xae of counsel and approved by that committee. Our agreements do not provide in any way for the organization anaking, fixing or controlling rates Each line makes it's own tariffs and each may change its rates without ques- 4ioning the others. We have no machin- ssry for maintaining rates
 Chairman Parker Of the Western @reight association:
 t'If the court simply reaffirms it's po Bition in the transmissouri Freight as- aoeiation case, 1t is a disappointment to railroads. I imagine that our agree zment is very like that of the Joint Traf- tzc association. The scheme of the east ssFn road was followed closely when we organized the Western Joint Traffic bu- Neau, but that was dissolved in l896 Since than we have only show of agreement, but 1t has been along the same lines as that which the court has vast decided to be illegal"
 H, H. Cartwright of the Western Arunk line committee:
 Before the western men can say how tEley arc affected by this decision they knust see the full text of the judgment. 1t may be adverse to the railroads in some points and favorable to them in others.
 Vice President Chappell of the Chica- Zo and Alton railroad
 ''The transmissouri freight case was exactly similar to this one, in that the zaain question was as to an independent gsody in which rested the power to make And control rates. Our present freight transactions have no such feature. The board of the Western Freight associa- aion makes no rates It does try to en- Eoroe rules and regulations, but not such HIS affect gates A pooling law would help the railroads, but it would not do all that is necessary.