The herald., 1898-02-26
CANADA'S COMPETITION
LEADS TO THE SUSPENSION OF
TRAFFIC LAWS
LONG AND SHORT HAUL CLAUSE
Need Not Be Observed by American
Lines-Joint Traffic Case De-
cided-S. p. Promotions
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--The interstate
commerce commission issued an order to-
day relieving the United States railroad
lines by suspending the long and short haul
clause of the act upon passenger tranie
between all points on their lines where they
are in competition with the Canadian Pa
ciiic railway and its connections, but pro-
bibitinc the United States lines from charg-
ing lower rates than from time to time
.are made by the Canadian Pacific railway
separately or with its connections.
This is an additional order to the suspen-
sion of the sixteenth clause, and is meant to
cover all passenger traffic between the AZ
lantic and the Pacific subject to the compe-
tition of the Canadian Pacific.
The commission issued the following or
der:
1t is ordered, pending further investiga-
ton. that upon publishing and filing tar
ifs, as required by the act. and until July
! 1898. miles this order be in the meantime
revoked or modified by the commission the
above-named petitioners and their connec-
tions in the United States, forming through
lines with the petitioners, be, and they
are hereby. authorized to charge Tor the
TRANSFORMATION of passengers, both east
botirfd and westbound less for longer us
tances than for shorter distances py sucii
lines between all points on the pet1tioners
lines or lines of their connections, at which
the petitioners or their said connections are
in competition for passenger rahic with
the Canadian Pacific railway ana It's con-
nections; provided, however. that such
lower rates for longer distances shallilot
Mt any time be less thon those previously
established or charged by the Canadian
Pacific railway, separately or with It's con-
nections. for the transportation of such
passenger traffic. and provided further
that this order may be revoked or mooineo
at any time in the discretion OF the COM
mission and with or without notice to said
petitioners.
JOINT TRAFFIC CASE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The argument
of the, Joint Traffic association case was
concluded in the United States supreme
court today and the case was taken under
adyisement. Ex-senator Edmunds was the
first speaker. He appeared on behai1 OF
the railroads. The object of the associa-
tons agreement was, he contended, only
to secure justice and fair play among the
roads and to the public at large, all being
interested in securing uniform and stable
rates.
Mfr, Edmunds dwelt upon the Importance
of proper cooperation between connect
ing lines, and said that the agreement COM
plied fully with the legal requirements con-
cerning- them.
Mr.. Phelps, for the railroads. contended
that the regulation of competition was
state matter and not national matter, nor
in any way involved in the regulation of
interstate commerce; but said II 1t was to
be held to be a national matter, contracts
for the regulation of competition must be
decided upon their individual merits.
Mr., Phelps asserted that there was no
public necessity for such infringement upon
private rights as was contemplated IN thls
proceeding.
Mr. Richards followed Mr.. Phelps IN
closing the arguments for the government
He spoke of the vast interests involved,
saving that ON the one side thirty-one OF
the great railways representing 81, 2,5OoOV,UOO
of capital were arraigned against the gem
eral public. Mr.. Richards replied to Mr..
Carter's contention that an agreement 1or
the restraint of competition was not re-
straint of trade, asserting the contrary 10
be true, and that contract which stlfies
competition does not restrain trade.
A COUNCIL OF WAR
CHICAGO. Feb. 25-General passenger
agents of the western roads were in ses-
sion today. considering the best methods
of carrying on the war against the cana
dian Pacific road They did not reach any
conclusion and will resume their delibera-
tions tomorrow A strong feeling devel-
oped in favor of putting the cut rates
through the Missouri river gateway, as
well as through st. Paul The probabilities
are that it will go in through gateways.
Having secured the suspension OF the
long and short haul clause of the interstate
commerce act, the American roads think
they can conserve intermediate rates with
out confining the cut to any particular
route. They propose to do this by selling
tickets on the rebate plan, charging the
passenger an amount sufficient to prevent
his using through tickets to intermediate
territory and 'refunding him the difference
when he arrives at his destination. This
is the plan recommended by the commit
tee.
S. P. PROMOTIONS
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25.-Vice Pres
ident Stubbs of the Southern Pacific COM
pany today issued circular of notification
to the effect that President c. p Hunting
ton had approved his recommendations for
promotion and that the new officers would
enter upon their duties on March 1st, as
follows:
William Sproule to be freight and traffic
manager, vice Smurr, deceased: A. d.
Shepard to be general freight agent, vice
Sproule, promoted; S. w. Luce to assistant
general freight and passenger agent at
Los Angeles, vice Shepard, promoted, and
sistant general freight agents in this CITY,
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PLAYED DURRANT