The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-26

A meeting of the managers of the Joint
Traffic Association was held in New York
yesterday and adjourned without action
pending the receipt of copy of the text
of the Supreme Courts decision The man
ayers win meet again to-day. by which
time they hope to be fully acquainted with
the decision of the court Chairman Depew
has been asked to call a meeting of the
presidents of the roads of the association
some day next week. The presidents COM
prise the board of control, which has been
the governing body of the Joint Traffic AS
ISOLATION. This board is likely to take de-
cisive action as to the future of the asso-
citation. George r. Blanchard, chairman.
said: we have already, asked Congress to
pass pooling law and that remedy has
been denied us. Our position has long been
that uniformity of railroad rates is essen
tial to commercial prosperity. If. for in
stance, there were sixty different rates into
New York, the stability of New York's com
merce would be at an end. What we desire
from Congress is authority to contract
among ourselves for maintaining uniformity
of rates. do not think there is any need
of providing by law a penalty for disregard
of uniform rates by railroad companies or
their agents" James G. Carter who, with
ex-Mnister Edward J. Phelps and ex-Sen-
Rtor EdmundS, argued the cause of the
Joint Traffic Association before the SUI
in advance of careful study OF the opin-
lon. 1t is generally thought, however, that
the dissolution of all the other existing
railway associations of the country as wei
as the Joint Traffic Association is inev-
table. The existence of these bodies has
not had the effect of putting stop to rate
cutting. and some railroad men are inclined
to think that the companies will get along
fairly well by instituting. the system of
"a gentlemen's agreement" as a substitute
for the associations. Others declare that ii
will be absolutely necessary for the well
fare of the railroads for Congress to enact
J. F. Tucker, chairman of the Central
Freight Association. said at Chicago: II
have not seen the decision and cannot say,
therefore, how it will affect the Central
Freight Association. The Joint Traffic Asso-
citation saw fit to continue it's existence
lransmissouri freight case, on the ground
that its agreement differed from that of the
Western body. 1t may be that the Central
Freight agreement diners from that Of the
Joint Traffic Association.
Commissioner Donald; of the Central Pas
Eenger Association, said: THE decision is
sad blow for the railroads 1t is to be
regretted that the court could not have had
I'm view the results which will follow such
On broad grounds of equity. Thea result
probably will be to reduce all traffcs organ
lzations Of the Go country to q basis Of very
become of the organization of which l am
chairman; that remains TO be SEEN"
Chairman Caldwell of the Western Pas
senger Association, said: 'As understand
the decision it does not affect us in any
way Our organizations were all dissolved at
the time the Supreme Court decided the
transmissouri freight case and reorganized
TO conform to that decision. The revised
agreements were submitted to commission
of counsel and approved by that commit
tee our agreements do not provide in any
way for the organization making. fixing or
controlling rates. Each line makes its own
tariffs and each may change its rates with
out questioning the others. We have no
machinery for maintaining rates"
Chairman Parker. of the Western Freight
Association: IF the court simply reaffirms
its position in the Transmssouri Freight
Association ease II is a disappointment to
the railroads / imagine that our agreement
Is very like that of the Joint Traffic Asso-
citation 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 have only
q show of agreement but II has been along
the same lines as that which the court has
5ust decided to be illegal.
n IL. Cartwright. of the Western. trunk
fines committees. said: Before the Western
men can say how they are affected by this
decision they must see the full text OF the
Judgment. 1t may be adverse TO the rail-
ways in some points and favorable TO them
IN others"