The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-26
Eject on other Organizations.

Eject ON other Organizations.
CHICAGO. Oct. 25-The following are
the opinions expressed by leaiiug railroad
officials of this city on the decision q the
United States supreme court in the joint
Traffic Association case, all being given
without a knowledge of the text Of me
decision, except that IL IS against the
joint Traffic Inns.
Freight Association. says: Il have not
seen the decision. and cannot, therefore,
say how il VIII affect the Central Freight
Associate ton. The joint Traffic Association
saw IT 10 continue its existence after The
supreme court had decided the transmits
souri, freight case on the ground that lis
ern body. 1t may be that the Contra!
Freight agreement differs from that CT
the Joint Traffic Association"
psss1pgsr Assoc;atjon The dec sion IS a
sad blow FOR the railroads. I. Is 10 be re-
GREETED that the court could not have had
IN view the result which will follow such
a decision. and have been able 10 decide
the case on the broad grounds OF equity
The result probably Will reduce all traffic
organization Of the country 10 a basis OF
very questionable value. do not know
what VII come of the organization Of
which am chairman. That remains 10
be seen"
Chairman Caldwell. cf the Western Pas
senger Association: LAS | understand the
decision. il does not affect US in any way.
our organizations were all dissolved at the
time the supreme court decided the trans
missouri freight case and reorganiZed to
conform To that decision. The revised
agreements were submitted 70 commit
tee OF counsel and approved by thar com
mittee. Our agreements do not provide in
any way for an organization making. fix
ing or controlling rates but each line
makes its own tariffs ara each may change
is rates without questioning others. We
Chairman Parker. Of the Western
Freight Association: IL the court simply
Teaftrms lis position III the Trd-1s missouri.
Freight \ ssoc,ation case. il IS disappoint-
agreement Is very mach like that of the
joint Traffic Association. The scheme OF
the Eastern roads was followed closely
n hen W. organized the Western Joint Trai
~ Bureau. but that Was dissolved In lS96
Since then We have had only shadow OF
n agreement. but il has beer along the
same lines tina. the court has inst decided
10 he Illegal
II. H. Cartrisht. OF the. Western trunk
lines committee. Before Western men
can say how they are affected by mis- de-
Cision they mast see the full text OF the
Judgment. +, may be adverse 10 the rail-
ways In some points and favorable TO them
in others"
Vice President Chapel. of the Chicago &
Alton railroad: The transmlssodri freight
case was exactly similar 10 this one in
that the main question was as 20 an in
dependent body In which rested the power
10 make ana control rates. Our present
freight organizations have no such feature
The board u the Western freight As@ogia-
item makes 10 rates. IL does try to err
force rules and regulations blt not such
as affec. rates. 4 pooling Law would help
the railroads. but IL would not do ali .hat
Is necessary.
\, The meeting If the executive com
ruiiiee Of the Western Passenger ASsoci-
a,lon. held here today. the sub committed
n charge OF Drafting u rev agreement
pr scented its reugft Il viii se submit
iej 10 The general meeting here tomorrow
II vas fet ou all sides ;naf great care wia
nave 20 hc taken jr adopting any new
agreement - see Tire law. A. interoroted
hV the supreme court. Is no; In any way
iDf-!1Sed