The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-31
Governors and Attorney Generals
Of Northwestern States win
Oppose Consolidation of Three
Great Railroad Systems
CONFERENCE HELD AT
HELENA YESTERDAY
No Action Was Taken But Plans
Were Discussed and An An
nouncement of the Method of
Conducting Fight viii Be Made
Today

Helena, Mont. Dec. 30.-No action was
taken today at the meeting of the gov
ernors and attorney generals of the
Northwestern states, called to consider
plans for opposing the proposed con-
solidation of the Northern Pacific,
Great Northern and Burlington Rail-
way systems. From the discussion at
these meetings however, it is consid-
cred probable that the plan of Gov.
Van SAINT of of Minnesota, will be en-
dorsed by the executives of other
states, who We're present, and that the
fight against the railroad consolidation
will be carried to a finish.
What this plan is Gov. Van SAINT re-
fuses to state until the meeting tomor-
row morning shall have taken action.
The meetings were held in Gov. Toole's
private office and behind closed doors
There were present besides Gov. Toole
and Atty. Gen. Donovan Of Montana
Gov Van SAINT and Atty.-Gen. Doug
las of Minnesota; Gov. Herried and
Atty Gen. Pyle of South Dakota; Gov.
Hunt and Atty. Gen. Martin of Idaho,
and Atty.-Gen. Stratton of Washington,
Gov Mcbride of that state not being
able to be present on account of the
death of the late Gov. Rogers. Gov.
White of North Dakota, was also eX-
pected to attend the conference, but II
The meeting was organized by the
election of Gov. Van SAINT as chairman
and Atty Gen. Martin of Idaho as sec
rotary. Gov. Van SAINT made brief
speech in regard to the objects of the
meeting, giving brief history of the
proposed railway consolidation and eff
feet he believed it would have on the
states affected
THE state of Minnesota" said the |
her statute |
books for more than % years laws pro-
hibiting the consolidation in any way OF
parallel and competing lines of rail-
ways 1t has been the settled policy |
of our state to maintain free, open |
and unrestricted competition in freight
and passenger rates. The Great North |
ern and Northern Pacific Railway Com |
panies operate parallel and competing
lines of railway within the state,
1T has been recently announced that
Mr.. Hill and his assistants have OBJ
tanned the control Of the Northern Pa
cific Railway Co. and intend to operate
the same Jointly, with the Great North |
ern and. in effect, bring about con
solidation by removing all competition
and all rivalry between these ROADS. 10
this end the Northern Securities co.
was organized in New Jersey to ac-
ouire a controlling amount of the STOCK
of the Great Northern and Northern
Pacific Railway Companies IN eX-
change for it's own Stock and 1t Is
through this company that the unity Oh
MANAGEMENT and control is to be erect /
ed If there. is such consolidation
contemplated, and that fact seems 10
be practically conceded, it is an open
violation of the law, as well as the de-
clared public policy of the state OF
Minnesota, and l feel that I should be
negligent of my duty as the oi1lclal
head of the state If I remained quleS-
cent under such circumstances.
Il have been informed that the states
which Won gentlemen represent as gov
ernors and attorneys general nave
constitutional or statute laws similar
in effect to those of the state OF MIN
nesota. and that this was a question
in which our state was not alone inter-
ested Acting upon this belief, | took
the liberty of asking for this conference
of governors and attorneys general OF
the various states, through when these
two roads pass, believing that all such
states are equally interested in NAM
tanning the principles heretofore as
serted by the state of Minnesota ana
reasserted here in its objection TO TINS
consolidation.
"The people of the state of MSinesd-
IA feeling certain that competition has
heen the chief factor in her develop
ment. and equally certain that it's de
struction would result in the greatest
loss to both producer and consumer,
has determined to oppose this conson-
dation. This determination is not en-
tered into with any spirit of hostility
towards railroads.
IT should be pleased to hear from
each of you gentlemen on the subject
and some general expression as 10 me
policv which the people OF the North
Vest, through you, their representa-
tives, believe to be best for the public
welfare" ~. ,,.,,,ta
state for me-" said Gov. Van SAINT this
evening, that I will not make any
statement on this matter until the con-
cIusion of the conference. / have re-
ceiyed a score of kilograms asking me
for statements in regard to my pro
nosed action. but until TINS meetng
ehaU be over. l will not talk.
The visiting governors and attorneys
general were given dinner TINS eve,
hing at Gov. Toole's residence ana
later were guests of the Montana Cluo