The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-03

ers and all other parties interested ir
such consolidation. but I find no statute
| which prevents. such consolidation, not.
withdrawing It may be OF parallel and
competing lines. This may be a subjec,
calling for legislation in Alabama.
Section 201 OF the Kentucky Constitu-
ton provides against the. consolidation OF
parallel or competing lines. understand
that the Governor Of Kentucky has taken
steps under this clause to prevent any
possible merger Of these two great rail-
roads, -.
The Southern Association.
The Louisville courier-Journal Of re-
"The fight Of Kentucky against the
proposed merger of the railroads OF the
South, reported in contemplation by j.
Pierpont Morgan & Co., of New York,
may become the fight Of the fifteen South
ern States, a majority Of which will have
more than a passing interest in the con-
te-t, embracing as they do the territory
traversed by the trunk lines involved.
Two years ago on Lookout Mountain
there was formed an organization
known as the Southern Association Of
Railroad Commissioners. the following
States taking membership: Alabama. Ar
kansas, Florida. Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi. North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas. Virginia. West Virginia, Maryland.
THE fifth section of the plan of per-
manent organization reads as follows:
Whenever the commissioners Of any
of the States being a member of this
association shall become involved in liti-
cation with any railroad or other corpo-
ration. wherein the validity Of the laws
governing the commissioners OF such
State. or the reasonableness of any rate
established by or pursuant to the laws of
such State may be brought into question
1t shall be the duty of such commission
to advise each of the others of said COM
missions Of the nature and tendency OF
such action. and thereupon each and alt
of said commissions shall render to the
commission affected by said litigation
such assistance, information or data as
may be possible bearing upon the ques-
lions involved
This section of the plan of organiza-
ton was prepared by c. C. McChord of
Kentucky and the word assistance was
meant to express more than a mere SUI
perficial aid, which at first glance 1t seems
to indicate; rather. cooperative action.
Mr.. McChord at the time was severely
criticised by a Chicago railway organ as
attempting himself to form a combine
when he had fought rate-making by
freight bodies.
AT the second meeting OF the Associa-
ton held at Asheville, N. c., last Septem-
Der. Charles c. McChord, Chairman of
the Railroad Commission of Kentucky
was elected President and he now holds
that office. Other officers chosen at this
meeting were: N. w. Baptist OF Tennes-
see, Vice-President; John A. Webb Of
Mississippi, Secretary. and w. NJ. Bar
row of Louisiana, Assistant Secretary
Among the important committees appoint
ed by President McChord was one on leg
islation, composed of John II. Reagan Of
Texas, Chairman: Spencer r. Atkinson of
Georgia, G.. Gunby Gordon Of Georgia, D.
Fl. Abbott of North Carolina. and L.
Story Of Texas, and the Executive Com
mittee. with John d. McInnis of Missis-
sippi, Chairman. Named as associates of
Mr. Mc1nnis were Mr. Story and Felix
Hanley Of Arkansas, Messrs. Webb and
McChord being ex-officio members OF the
committee.
All Commissions Interested.
The Association. though only two years
old. has had an active career, dealing
particularly with questions Of interstate
commerce. But nothing the body has
done equals in Importance the subject
that will now receive its attention. Since
John w. Gates. in April. made his IA
nous coup that brought him the control
of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
which he passed to Morgan and Co., own
ers of the Southern Railway. the Railroad
Commission Of every State through which