The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-21
Canvass by Telegraph Shows Their
General Approval of His Atti-
tude TowardR R. R. Merger.
Eastern Financial Press Comedies the
Effectiveness ofAgitation If It's
Based on Real Grievance.

The theory is easy enough but to pass
laws which will stand is another matter"
Senator Sweningsen.
Special to The Journal.
Austin, Mimi, Nov. 21-Senator 8.
SWeningsen says: "Nine-tenths of the
people are with Governor Van SAINT in his
hight against the railroad merger, as they
see great danger in the gigantic deal. II
the sovereign state of Minnesota has at
present no authority to control and regu-
late the railroads which enter it, the
welfare of the people demands that such
! authority be given. Governor Van SAINTS
course is all right and will be watched
by the people Of the country at large and
II he can prevent the proposed consolida-
tion, he will make himself one of the
most popular men in the state"
Senator r.. e. Thompson.
Special to The Journal.
Preston, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator r. E.
| Thompson says: 1.-The combination or
| consolidation of parallel lines of railroads
| In the state of Minnesota is against the
| spirit and intent of the laws of the state
and if the purpose of the Northern Secu-
rites company is to acquire control or to
manage parallel lines of railroad, l think
| the same is Illegal and such a company
| should not be allowed to operate in the
! state. l am opposed to the consolidation
| of parallel lines under one management,
| for 1t would destroy competition and tend
| to maintain eXorbitant rates.
Sen. Gausewitz and Rep. Morley.
| Special to The Journal
Owatonna, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator Will
| liam Gausewitz says: "If the present law
| is operative l believe that the governor
and attorney general should push the case
Immediately, If it is not and the Iegis-
Lot
| think such a course should be pursued.
am not sufficiently informed to know
what the state can do, but think that it
should prevent the merger If possible, and
| II 1t becomes necessary to convene the
| Legislature / feel sure that that body
would back the governor in any measure
/ looking to the states best interests"
j. R. Morley, Of the house, says: Il
| believe 1t is the states duty to do every
thing In its power to prevent the merger.
| If the present laws are operative 1 think
! Governor Van SAINT and the attorney gen.
eral should push the fight to the end. II
| the present laws are not sufficient and the
| passage Of new ones would make it possi-
bic to circumvent such a merger, be-
lieve the governor would be heartily en-
dorsed by the people in calling an extra
session of the legislature, no matter what
the expense might be. l am not suffi-
GENTLY informed at this time to know
!
the combination is of such a nature that
the matter should be vigorously handled
Senator E. J. Jones.
Special to The Journal.
Long Prairie, Mimi, Nov 21.-Senator
| E. J. Jones says: 1 heartily approve the
| stand taken by Governor Van SAINT. 1t is
Of course impossible to determine at pres
ent what effect this Northern Securities
agreement will have upon the business in
terests Of the northwest, and no one can
say offhand just what can be accomplished
| by action of the state legislature, if con-
! vened, but 1t looks on the face of 1t like
an attempt to violate the spirit of our
state laws against consolidation and this
| should be prevented If possible and the
| governor will be justified in fighting for
every point. 1 do not believe it possible
to frame any law to prevent the sale on
exchange of lawful property. but the peo-
pie, through the legislature, can compel
the use and management of such property
to be beneficial rather than detrimental
to their interests"
Senator e. It. Young.
Special to The Journal.
! Appleton, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator E.
T. Young makes the following statement:
| believe the merger of the Northern Pacific
| and Great Northern railways, through the
| instrumentality Of the Northern Securities
! company, is an illegal attempt to do tndi-
| rectly what could not be done directly. A law
| prohibiting the consolidation OF two parallel
competing lines of railway is clearly violated
| by the formation of a new corporation TO
] own a controlling interest and dictate the
management of both. This method of con-
| solidatiOn is more obnoxious than q direct
merger would be in this way The franchises
and privileges of the old corporations are re-
tanned while their management and control
| are placed elsewhere. A law to forfeit the
! charter of any corporation organized in the
| state which transfers a controlling interest
| in It's stock to foreign corporation might
! be wise. The new consolidation is evidently
! transportation rates. The governor should
use the entire power of the state to prevent
: and thwart such purpose.
| Representative j. A. Armstrong.
Special to The Journal
| Blue Earth, Mimi, Nov. 21-J. A. Arm
! strong, representative, says: "It Is yet q
| question with me whether this combina-
| tion will be bad for the northwest. If
| so; it should be prevented If our laws
] are such that 1t can be. If not, suitable
| laws should be passed. The interests
| Of the people should be fully protected"
Representative o. o. Lageng.
Fergus Falls, Mimi, Nov 21.-O. o.
Sageng (pop) says: ''It strikes me the
attorney general should begin proceed
| ings at once and do whatever can be done
under. the present laws TO prevent the
merging of the western roads If addi-