New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-26
TIE JOINT TR4FFJC DECISION

1t would be easy. but not creditable to re-
peat what many are saying about the decision
OF the supreme Court declaring the Joint Traffic
Association unlawful. They say that the de-
cision Is deadly blow at the railroads, that
they were on the brink Of ruin through exces-
sive competition when the association was or
ganlzed. that the decision Will bring back chaos
and ruin for the railroads and incalculable in
jury TO the country through removal of the re-
stricting influence and will revive all the mis-
chievous and dishonest undertaking for traffic
and unfair discrimination between shippers and
localities which the Interstate act was intended
10 stop. Argument of that sort implies either
ignorance Of facts or indifference to them. The
cutting of rates is now. in spite Of the Joint
Traffic Association. as unrestricted and as reck
less as ii ever was. The same newspapers
which contained the decision Of the Supreme
Court also contained news reports of enormous
shipments OF grain from Chicago to Baltimore
at 10 cents. II cents being the rate established
by the association, and from st Louis TO the
seaboard at relatively still lower rates 1t is
but few days since the mercantile community
was disguised by the refusal TO stop dscrim-
nations against New-YOrk. which have been
as unfair and injurious under the Joint Traffic
Association as they ever were before II was
formed the Interstate law was enacted
The naked truth Is that the Joint Traffic As
ISOLATION has dismaly failed TO restrain COM
petition or to prevent the abuses which IL was
held necessary 10 prevent. But short time
ago some Of the most distinguished railroad
managers and influential members of the as
ISOLATION were praying Congress to alter or
sweep away the Interstate act and 10 legalize
pooling, on the declared ground that all exist
ing associations had failed and were Deces
sarily unable to restrain competition without
the compelling power which a legallzed pool
could exercise 1t is surely the height Of un-
reason TO claim that associations which have
been tried for years. in good times and In bad
and have confessedly proved utterly unable TO
prevent the evils they promised 10 stop, cannot
now be swept away as ilega. without grave
injury to the railroads and the public
There is considerably more reason for think
Ing thu, the abolition OF associations which
pretend 10 render a service TO the railroads
and the public. but do not. and though con-
fessedly unable 10 do still continue 10 stand
In the way Of any other remedy. would be a
good thing for the country and for the trans
porting companies also. If half the grain rate
10 the scaboard Is cut off by competition, ut the
very time the associations ere loudly proclaim
ing q general restoration OF rates, it would be
better to have the thing done openly, with no
fraud or humbug about it, II the associations
pretend 10 control their members, and yet are
utterly unable 10 do so, II would be better by
far 10 have stockholders and bondholders
brought by heavy losses 20 realizing sense or
the conduct OF managers they sustain. II there
IS no power in associations 10 stop glaring and
unjust discrimination against New-York, let all
pretence Of established rates be swept away.
and New-York can then concentrate enough