Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-31
I'M GOVERNORS CONFERENCE,
Plans 10 Combat the Big Railroad
Mercer Not Perfected.

Helena, Mont, Dec. 31.-No action was
taken yesterday at the meeting OF the
s governors and attorney generals Of the
northwestern states called to consider
plans for opposing the proposed consoli-
oation OF the Northern Pacific, Great
i Northern and Burlington railway sys-
TENS. From the discussion at these
meetings, however, 1t is considered prob
able that the plan OF Governor Van SAINT
of Minnesota Will be endorsed by the ex-
ecutives OF other states who Were pres
ent and that the fight against the rail-
road consolidation will be carried to q
finish. What this plan is Governor Van
SAINT refuses to state until, the meeting
today shall have taken action.
The meeting was organized by the
Il election OF Governor Van SAINT as chair
man and attorney General Martin, OF
j Idaho. as secretary.
After reading Governor Whites COM
munication stating that he would not be
4 present. Governor Van SAINT made q
brief speech In regard to the objects Of
The meeting. giving q brief history Of the
\ proposed railway consolidation and the
eject he believed 1t would have on the
states affected.
s.The state Of Minnesota said the
& governor, has had on her statute books
for more than twenty five years laws
prohibiting the consolidation In any way
OF parallel and competing lines Of rail-
ways. 1t has been the settled policy Of
cur state to maintain q free, open and
unrestricted competition in freight and
passenger rates. The Great Northern
and Northern Pacific Railway compa-
nies operate parallel and competing lines
OF railway within the state. These are
practically the only roads which fur
nish any transportation facilities to the
Eorthern half Of the state, with the ex-
sception OF the two known as the iron
ore roads.
ssIt has been recently announced that
Mr.. Hill and his assistants have OBJ
tainsd the control Of the Northern Pa
cific Railway Company and intend to
operate the same Jointly with the Great
Northern and in effect bring about a
consolidation by removing all competi-
sstion and all rivalry between these
roads. To this end the Northern Securi-
ties Company was organized in New
Jersey to acquire controlling amount
OF the stock OF the Great Northern and
Z Northern Pacific Railway companies in
L exchange for it's own stock, and 1t Is
thru this company that the unity of
management and control is to be eff
fected. AS soon as this fact became
known to me felt 1t Tny duty as gov
ernor to do everything in my official
power to oppose the consolidation or
amalgamation of these properties with
In the state of Minnesota. If there is
such consolidation contemplated. and
that fact seems to be practically con-
ceded, 1t Is an open violation of the law
4 as the declared public policy Of Mime
sota, and feel that should be be neg
ligent of my duties as the official head
Of the state IL remained quiescent un-
der such conditions. have been In
formed that the states which you gem
tlemen represent as governors and at
torneys general have constitutional or
I statute laws similar in effect to those Of
Ahe state Of Minnesota and that this was