The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-31
TO FIGHT RAILROAD MERGER.
WESTERN GOVERNORS MEET IN
CONFERENCE At HELENA.
North Dakota's Executive Absent. but sym.
pathetic -Attorne,-CeneraI Of Al
states Affected Present They Think
They Tar Block the Consolidation

North Dnkota's Executive Absent, but SYM
Neutrality-suspicious. Of Al
states Affected Present They Think
They Can Block the Consolidation
HELENA, Mon. Dec. 30.-The Governors
of Montana. Idaho, Minnesota and South
Dakota and the Attorney Generals OF
those States and Of Washington met
In conference to-day to a measures
to prevent consolida alton OF the Northern
Pacific, Great Northern and Burlington
roads under the control Of the Northern
Securities Company. but got no furth er
than the election OF officers.
Those present are Gov. s. X. Van SAINT and
Acknowledgement W. B. Douglass OF Min
nesota; Gov. Charles n, Heriod and Attor-
ney-General John L. Pyle OF South Dakota:
Gov. Joseph X. Toole and Attorney-General
James Donovan Of Montana; o Frank
W. Hunt and Attorney-General Frank
Martin OF Idaho and Acknowledgment
W. h. Stratton OF Washington. Iney
elected Van SAM chairman and Martin.
secretary. and hen adjourned until to-
morrow. In the morning Gov. Toole made
an address Of welcome In which he mace
no ~allusion 10 the object Of the meeting,
Gov. Van San, acknowledged his electlon
In a speech in which he reviewed the pro-
cecding e in Minnesota in 1895 in which the
consolidation of the Northern Pacific and
Great Northern roads war declare illegal,
this decision being affirmed by the unued
States Supreme Court. He declared mat
the present scheme of consolidation was
also illegal and hat as the Constitut IONS
of other States contained provisions against
consultations. he had called the con,
ference with a view to seeing II the several
States Interested could not agree on con-
certed action.
Gov. Van SAINT denied that he or his State
was hostile to rail roads. recalling the ex-
tension land grants as evidence OF the iac.'
None of the Governors would be inter-
viewed as TO the probable outcome OF the
conference and the Attornes -t'e nerals were
az reticent, with the exception oil Martin
Of Idaho. He said hat there was a law
in the different States represented which
would prevent the merger. but how IL
would be applied remained TO be seen.
Action might be begun In either the
Federal or. State courts. All the States
represented could not be parties 10 Inc
suit. but they might lend financial and
moral support to the State or its repre-
sentatiyes elected to carry on the suit. i.
The absence of Gov. Frank White OF
North Dakota was explained by n telegram
received from him on Saturday by Gov
Van SAINT, saying:
Il regret that matters have arisen rem
dering II impossible for me TO attend the
Helena meeting. =,
This had been preceded by a letter dated
Nov. 2G saying
Il note with high appreciation the posi-
ton vCu nave taken relative 70 the con-
solidation of the Northwestern Railroad in
terCsts. agree with you that the situattcn
j. one Of great monien, to business interests
and the general welfare of The entire North
west. | feel that tie people Of our state
are in sympathy with you in the chort you
are making to prevent the railroad son.
solidaiion.
We have very little law bearing on re
question. In our Constitution Is the no
vision that the consolidation OF parallel
and competing lines is specifically proh.b-
tied and We have soue general enactments
prohibiting the formation Of trusts and
pools for The purpose Of hampering trade
and commerce. II would give ms great
pleasure TO meet with you and the Governors
of other States affected by this combination
TO confer in regard 90 II at any time or
place that may be convenient. ] will
write you more at length when ] have given
the matter more extended consideration. :
This vas followed by a telegram, Dec
81, SAYING i will Ice present with the At
torney-General of this State at the time and
place Indicated in your letter