The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-01
FIGHT AGAINST ROAD MERCER
Governors of Northwestern States Agree
 Upon n Definite Plan.

Helena. Mont, Dec. 31.-A definite plan os acton to defeat the proposed consolidation of the Northern Pacific, Great Northern and Burlington railway systems was unanimously agreed upon +o-day by the governors and attorneys general of seven northwestern states, in which those roads have mileage. Legal action will be instituted immediately Tn Minnesota courts with this opJect III view and to quote Attorney Geheral Douglass of Minnesota, "the thlns VIII be fought to a finish
 lust how, when or where these sults will he brought, neither Governor van sant. ar Minnesota, nor Attorney Gen- aral Douglass would state The con- rarance adiourned late this afternoon after adopting resolutions conueiiiiiiiis the nroposed merger as contrary 10 sound public policy and pieusiiis sup port to any proper legal actloh wliich may be brought to test It's Nailoi'y' Other resolutions adopted call on con rress to investigate the subject ana la- vor the granting of power to the iii'ei sta+e commerce commission to TX the ,naxfnurn rates upon interstate pusi- ness She first resolution is as follows
 uJn ollr opinion, the consolidation or threatened consolidation of the Great Northern. Northern Pacific and Bur 1inrton railway systems in the several states through which they run as par alIel and competing lines, is contrary 10 so,,rd nuhlic policy and also with the excention of Idaho is in violation or 44,eAconstitution and laws of said states ana mindful of the obligation which the law irnposes In such cases upon the or Acia1s of the several states here repre- scented. we hereby give our unquahreu anproyal and endorsement to any prop CT and suitable proceedings which may he instituted in any court having 1urls- d;ction by the sovereign state of Min rasota or any other state affected +bereby designed and intended to ssneedily and finally test and determine the validity of such consolidation or threatened consolidation, and to that ord we hereby pledge our earnest CO., oneration. and, further, we unanimols- 1y protest against any combination or consolidation which restricts or stiles free competition in the trade or com merce of the country.
 The resolution was unanimously adopted.
 The second resolution, which was 8 substitute for the one offered by Gov ernor Hunt of Idaho. along the same lines, follows
 'whereas, a consolidation of the great frans-continental railway lines, has been accomplished or threatened, which, in the opinion of the members of this conference, is inimical to the public welfare, therefore, be it
 s.Resolved, First, that the congress of the United States be- and hereby is re- ouested to investigate the general sub feet and take suitable action thereon; second, that power should be granted to the interstate commerce commits sion to fix maximum rates upon inter- state traffic, and to regulate the same; third, that copy of the resolutions be forwarded to the senators and represen- tatives in congress of the states here represented.
 Governor Van Sant and most of the other state officials, who have been rep resented at the conference, left late to- night for their homes. Governor Van Sant expressed himself as much grati- fled at the result of the meeting, whicE had been requested by him.
 "So far as am concerned" said he after the meeting adjourned. '1 an thoroughly satisfied with the work o1 the meeting. It accomplished all thai r could be desired. I am very mucf pleased"
 Governors Hunt and Toole also ex- pressed qualification at the result o1 the conference.