The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-31
GOVERNORS MEETING AT HELENA WILL ENDORSE VAN
SAINTS FIGHT.
HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK APPLIES TO COURT
Temporary Restraining Retirement Of Preferred
Stock Northern Pacific Issued by Minnesota
Circuit Judge

Helena, Dec. 3O.-No action was
taken today at the meeting of the gov
ernors and attorney generals of the
northwestern states, called to consid-
er plans for opposing the proposed
consolidation of the Northern Pacific,
Great Northern and Burlington rail-
way systems. From the discussions had
at the meeting, it is considered prob
able that the plan Of Governor Van
SAINT of Minnesota will be endorsed
by the executives of the other states
who were present and that the fight
against the railroad consolidation will
be carried to finish. What this plan
is, Governor Van SAINT refused to state
until the meeting tomorrow morning
shall have taken action. The meetings
were held in Governor Toole's private
Office and behind closed doors. There
were present besides Governor Toole
and the attorney general of Montana,
eral Douglass of Minnesota, Governor
Herried and Attorney General Pyle
of South Dakota, Governor Hume and
Attorney General Martin of Idaho and
Attorney General Stratton Of Wash
ington, Governor Mcbride of that
state not being able to be present on
account of the death of Governor
Rogers.
Governor White of North Dakota
was also expected to attend the con-
ference, and in fact had telegraphed
present In a later telegram, however,
he stated that it was impossible for
him to attend the meetings.
The meeting was organized by the
election of Governor Van SAINT as
chairman and Attorney General Mar
tin of Idaho as secretary After read
ing Governor Whites communication
stating that he would not be present,
Governor Van SAINT made brief
speech in regard to the objects of the
meeting, giving a brief history of the
proposed railway consolidation and
the effect he believed it would have
on the states affected.
'The state Of Minnesota" said the
governor, "has had on her statute
books for more than 25 years, laws
prohibiting the consolidation in any
way of parallel and competing lines
of railways. It has been the settled
policy Of our state to maintain free,
open and unrestrained competition in
freight and passenger rates. The
Great Northern and Northern Pacific
Railway companies operate parallel
and competing lines of railway within
the state. These are practically the
only roads which furnish any trans
portation facilities in the northern
half of the state, with the exception
of two known as the Iron Ore Roads,
"It has been recently announced
that Mr.. Hill and his assistants have
obtained the control of the Northern
oSAAS AsoHWoy COAlPdAy duu luIcuu
to operate the same Jointly with the
Great Northern and in effect bring
about consolidation by removing all
competition and all rivalry between
these roads,
ITO this end the Northern Secur-
tiles company was organized in New
Jersey to acquire controlling amount
of the stock of the Great Northern
and Northern Pacific Railway compan-
les in exchange for it's own stock and
it is through this company that the
unity of management or control is to
be effected
"As soon as this fact became known
to me, felt it my duty as governor,
to do everything in my official power
to oppose the consolidation or ANAL
gamation of these properties within
the state of Minnesota.
IF there is such consolidation
contemplated, and that fact seems to
be practically conceded, it is an open
violation Of the law as well as the
declared public policy of the state of
Minnesota, and l feel that 1 should
be negligent Of my duties as the Of
fetal head of the state If I remained
quiescent under such circumstances.