Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-12-30
THE GOVERNORS POSITION |
Governor Van SAINTS "Conference" Has
Developed into Open Hostility
to Roads.
Governor White Says He Has Had
No Requests from People of North
Dakota to Mix In.
Status of the Railroad Merger and
Reasons Why Governor Did Not
Attend Meeting.

N~~ ~~oO SS~~NAN eAA>
meeting of governors at Helena, called
by Governor Van SAINT on the merger
proposition. The following statement
of the governors position in the mat
ter was authorized this afternoon:
In November Governor White was
asked to confer with the governor of
Minnesota and the governors of other
states affected by the so-called rail-
road merger proposition and he cour-
teously accepted, no definite time or
place being designated. This accept
ance was heralded abroad and pub
lished with flaming headlines and COM
ments by the Minneapolis and other
twin city papers to the effect that Gov
ernor White would cooperate with
Governor Van SAINT and other oppon-
ents Of j. J. Hill and the ownership of
certain northwestern railway systems
by the Northern Securities company.
There is considerable difference be-
tween cooperation with Van SAINT in
open hostility to the so-called merger,
the calling of an extra session and ap-
peal to the courts and mere CONFER
ence' to ascertain the facts in the mat
ter, whether any state laws are being
violated by the change, of ownership
OF the stock in these companies, and
whether any radical action or agitation
calculated to engender open hostility
to the railroads of the northwest at
this time, when so much is desired of
the railroad companies in the way of
extensions, is advisable. The sober,
second consideration of this railroad
proposition in the light of information
secured not from individuals actuated
by prejudice or political bias, but from
the Judgment of broad minded men of
affairs in business and financial circles
is IN favor of a more conservative
course. So far as the people of North
Dakota are concerned, there has been
no demand on the governor from any
source to mix in this matter. On the
other hand, millers, shippers and other
North Dakota interests that have been
affected in the past by unjust discrim-
1nation in favor of the twin cities see
In the outcome of the railroad merger
nothing to fear at this time and the
governor has been importuned not to
involve the state in a railroad war
that might result in disaster to the
present, unprecedented, prosperous
conditions of our people. Governor
Van SAINT has mapped out course of
action for Minnesota. 1t. is reported
that he will cali an extra session of
the legislature and favor other radical
measures against the railroads. North
Dakota does not desire radical action
and the presence of Governor White
at the Helena conference which has
been heralded all over the country as
hostile demonstration on the part of
our people would be misrepresented
and misconstiued The people of
North Dakota are not so much alarmed
over the proposition as to be blinded
to the fact that regardless of ownership
SO far as rates and general regulation
OF railroads are concerned, they will
part with none of the power at present
possessed. Whenever the railroads
Cypress our people we will find a rem
edy. Thus far we have not been in
jured by the so-called merger and it
is best to await developments.