New-York tribune., 1901-11-28
VIEWS or GOVERNOR Van SAINT
CIT ,,oprt1 IN HIS LETTER TO OTHER GOV
NORS-CO-OPERATION PROMISED
BY GOVERNOR TOOLE.

s. Paul Mimi. Nov 27--The text of the letters
written by Governor Van SAINT to the GoVernors oil
North Dakota, Montana. Idaho and washington
was substantially the same as the following copy
OF
Hon. Frank White Governor OF North Dakota
Dear Sir: No doubt your attention 5!, has as been been
called to the organization. under the laws OF New
Jersey of a corporation known as the EoItnerh
Securities Company ana to the o PGG[ }bis cornoTtoH
as well as the avcwed object Of Its existence. TO
geuTe 3af control owne% nf by tRe Grea Northern
Northern Pacific and Chicago, Burlington and
Smr6 consolidation or control is said to he in
contemplation is not only IN Gre, Of Yor stat
as well-but Is a startling menace tc @ Ihe toii ,H
raiIv:lv lines mentioned.
The Legislature. of Minnesota. believing that the
abolition Of competition between parallel me. OF
railways in this state viii he injurious 20 the best
interests Of our citizens and hostile 10 rn, ~. ' @
combination ownership or control OF parallel or
% rstret the most open and free competition in
the establishment OF rates. 1t being the evident
eject the consolidation unity OF ownership and
control uentioned l deem !, my pain AIN NuIS NY as ~
power to enforce the laws and prevent any such
believe the interests of the people wei as the
public welfare Of your state. are alike with thnSr
csse more beneficiaI results can be secured hy
operative action between and among the States
belief prompts suggest 10 You the adFts-
ability OF conference TINS subject. at Suth tfn"
and place as may be agf 'taple TO you. as Wei aS
free expression of opinion on this matter ny cor
| shall be very glad indeed to receive your views
on this subject and any suggestions you may Dc
yours. s r. VAN SAINT
Helena Mont, Nov. 27.-Governor Toolo last
night replied the invitation Of Governor Van
SAINT attend the conference Of Governors of
Northwestern States to agree upon concerted meas
prevent the consolidation of railroads under
the joint ownership of the Northern Securities
Company. Governor Toole said in part:
If you have rightly interpreted the purpose Of
Minnesoia. there would seem to bee no doubt
that such consoiidati9n IS q violation of tn" snrit
from prohibiting the consolidation Of parallel or
person corporaton. stock company or assocation
OF persons in this State who directly or indirectly
create monopoly in the manufacture, sale or
imprisonment in the State prison for exceeding,
tire years. or by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or
Of this section forfeits to - the STATE al al ITS prGp-
corporation it is prohibited from carrying on bust
cate what remedies are avaiiabe to defeat this
tranSportaffon in this State but whatevcr lawful
methods are available will he employed, and 70 the
upon. ,ez
When the reply of Governor Toole Of Montana
the invitation of Governor Van SAINT of Minnesota
10 enter conference of Northwestern Governors
and States against the Northern Securities Com
pany shown to james J. Hill. president of the
Great Northern Railway, by an Associated Press
reporter yesterday he said:
When the gentlemen get through telegraph
each other they will find that the Northern Securi-
ties Company is entirely within It's rights and is
violating any law Of the States of Montana Min
| nesota
1t is understood that W, P. Clough. vice e-presdent
of the Great Northern Railway Company. who is
laWye-, is cooperating with the legal advisers of
Messrs. Hartman, Hill and Morgan in the prepara-
( ton of formal report of the legal status of the
Northern Securities Company. and that this report
VIII be submitted to the conference of Western rail
way presidents to he held here week.