The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-01
FOR MAXIMUM RATES.
Conference of Governors Goes on
Record to That Effect.

Helena, Mont, Jan. IA definite plan
of action to defeat the proposed CONSOLE
dation of the Northern Pacific, Great
Northern and Burlington railroad sys-
TENS was unanimously agreed upon by
the governors and attorneys general of
seven northwestern states, in which
those roads have mileage. Legal action
will be instituted Immediately in Min
nesota courts with this object in view.
and to quote Attorney General Douglass
of Minnesota, the thing will be fought
to a finish"
Just how, when or where these suits
will be brought, neither Governor Van
SAINT, of Minnesota, or Attorney General
Douglass would state. The conference
adjourned after adopting resolutions
condemning the proposed merger as
contrary to sound public policy and
pledging support to any proper legal
action which may be brought to test it's
validity. Other resolutions call on con-
gress to investigate the subject and ia
vor the granting of power to the inter-
state commerce commission to fix maxi
mum rates upon interstate business.
The first resolution is as follows:
I'm our opinion the consolidation or
threatened consolidation of the Great
Northern, Northern Pacific and Bur
sta ties through which they run as paral-
lei and competing lines is contrary to
sound public policy and also, with the
exception of Idaho, is in violation of
the constitution and laws of said states
and mindful of the obligation which the
law imposes in such cases upon the Of
ficialS of the several states here repre-
scented, we hereby give our unqualified
approval and Endorsement to any pro-
per and suitable proceedings which may
be instituted in any court having Jur-
isdiction by the sovereign state of Min
nesota, or any other state affected
thereby designed and intended to
speedily and finally test and determine
the validity of such consolidation or
threatened consolidation and to that
end we hereby pledge our earnest CO.
operation and further we unanimously
protest against any combination or
consolidation which restricts or STILES
free competition in the trade or COM
merce of the country"
This resolution was unanimously
adopted. Governor Herreid of South
Dakota, left for his home before action
was taken, but rough drafts of the reso-
lutions We're presented to him before he
left, and it is understood he favored
them. The second resolution, which was
a substitute for the one offered by Gov
ernor Hunt, of Idaho, along the same
lines, was as follows:
Whereas, A consolidation of the great
tranScontinenta1 railroad lines has been
accomplished or threatened, which in
ference is inimical to the public well
fare, therefore be it
Resolved, First, that the congress of
the United States be and is hereby re-
quested to investigate the general sub
ject and take suitable action thereon;
second, that power should be granted
to the interstate commerce commission
to fix maximum rates upon interstate
traffic and to regulate the same; third,
that copy of these resolutions be for
warded to the senators and representa-
tives in congress OF the states here rep
resented"
Governor Van SAINT and most of the
other state officials who have been pres
ent at the conference left for their
homes. Governor Van SAINT expressed
himself as much gratified over the result
Of the meeting, which had been request
ed by him
$50 far as I am concerned" said he,
after the meeting adjourned, IT am
satisfied with the work of
the meeting. 1t accomplished all that
could be desired. am very much
pleased
Governors Hunt and Toole also ex-
pressed qualification at the result Of the |