Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-21
WILL BACK Van SAN|
Minnesota Railroad and Ware.
house Commission Help Fight
the Railroad Combine.
Ex-senator Washburn Also to
Lend His Support to
the Cause.
Governor Savage. of Nebraska,
Reverses His Attitude After
Consulting Attorney.

ST. Paul, Nov. 21.-The state railroad
Governor Van SAINT to the full extent of
it's powers in his declared purpose of
preventing the consolidation of the
Great Northern, the Northern Pacific
and the Burlington systems under the
Northern Securities Company on the
ground that it is violation of the Min
nesota law which prohibits the console
dalton of parallel railroad lines.
This is the result of informal confer
ences of the commissioners.
Methods by which the consolidation
can be prevented have also been dis
cussed, and the decision was verbally
reached that new legislation and not the
present laws must be invoked.
THE railway commission will do all in
it's power to break up the Northern Sc
curities Company and prevent the con-
solidation of the two northern coast
lines and the Burlington" said Commits
sioner Staples. I'VE are clear in the
opinion that what is attempted is in
open violation of the spirit and intent of
laws already enacted.
whether this consolidation can be
brought within the scope of the letter
OF the present laws is an entirely differ
ent question. 1t would be presumptive
to suppose that with the splendid legal
talent at their disposal Mr.. Hill, Mr..
Morgan. Mr.. Hartman and the other
powers in the Northern Securities have
not already satisfied themselves that
they can successfully maintain their
present position in the courts.
i am satisfied, and the other MEM
hers OF the commission. believe, think
likewise, that new laws will be necessa-
ry to block the consolidation. Just what
these laws should be can not say.
II am inclined to think the suggested
ing in Minnesota without charter re-.
strictions would prove futile, while re-
sultirg in damage to companies the
state can we'll afford to encourage.
Legislation of direct, unmistakable
character is necessary in this case"
Governor Van SAINT purposes to fight
the proposed consolidation with the best
legal talent that can be obtained in the
United States.
He sent messenger north yesterday
to request Attorney General Douglas to
return as soon as possible. He will au-
thorize Mr.. Douglas to employ all the
legal talent necessary to assist him,
either from Minnesota or elsewhere. II
1t is deemed necessary the extra session
of the legislature will be asked for an
appropriation to meet the expenses OF
tho contest.
This is matter of vital interest to
the entire northwest" said Governor
Van SAINT yesterday, and / shall fight
the consolidation to the finish
The action OF Governor Van SAINT was
an absorbing question yesterday at both
the Great Northern and Northern Pa
cific headquarters. Officials of both
roads declared the purpose of the North
ern Securities Company to be the protec-
ton of rates. stable tariffs and the abo-
l.tion OF rebates to favored shippers
subjects which, il comprised, would re-
suit in the observance OF hitherto disre-
sarded state and federal laws.
An official who will be influenced ia
vorably by the consolidation declared
that the state should assert at once its
right to bar or prevent the operations of
corporations formed in other states upon
the first sound evidence that the conduct
Of the business of such concerns within
state boundaries is detrimental to public
interests.