New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-21
COMPLAINT FROM KENTUCKY
RAILROADS CONTROLLED BY MORGAN
INTERESTS ACCUSED OF UNLAW-
Full COMBINATION.
JOHN y. PART

Washington Oct 2O-The Interstate Commerce
Commission to-day made public the complaint oil
the Railroad Commission of Kentucky against the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company the Louis
Vile and Nashville Railroad, the Southern Rall-
way. the Southern Railway IN Kentucky the
Southern Railway In Indiana. the Cincinnati New
Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company the
Cincinnati Southern Railroad Company, ana the
Chicago Indianapolis and Louisville Railroad
Company involving allegations of unlawful com
binaton. The complaint asks for an investigation
Of these roads by the commission an examination
Of the contracts. agreements etc the production
of books. papers. tariffs contracts, the issuance
Of subponas for witnesses. inquiry into the
management of the business of these roads, an in
qury as whether their contracts. etc. constitute
an unlawful combination and conspiracy TO pool
the freishts Of the defendant and competing roads.
and device to enable the roads to divide the net
proceeds OF their earnings as 20 equalize the
earnings of each of them, and the general results
/ of the arrangements made on the commerce or the
section involved.
The complaint says these roads cover all i'm
portant railroad points and all railroad lines In a
territory aggregating twenty-five thousand miles,
with an operating income Of over 100000 annu-
ally and charges that j. Z. Morgan & Co have
secured practical control and management OF the
affairs OF all these lines. The transportation IA
cities Of this territory the complaint charges will
practically become one system. operated by a few
individuals and viii control the commerce az Ken
!
Florida. North Carolina. South Carolina virginia
and Maryland. The capitalization Of the defendant
roads is said TO amount TO at least Si.cooooo.0o.
zone firm with a few associates con-
/ trolling the Southern Railway the complaint al
/ eges, has now secured control Of the stock OF
the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. and later
! OF the stock 81 the Atlantic Coast Line Company
and the Atlantic Coast Line Railway Company
and has secured entrance into ST. Louis and
Chicago through lines by which II would bs able
to force and compel other lines out OF St Louis
and Chicago into that territory make rates such
IL should dictate, and 20 dictate schedules terms
and rates OF every kind 10 all smaller roads The
complaint alleges that this purchase. consolidation
! and ownership mean the placing OF the commerce
OF that entire section under the opera
/ ton Of a few men, dominated by the firm OF J. p
/ Morgan & Co.
| 1t is alleged that the defendant companies have
i not filed with the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion as required by law, copies Of the contracts.
agreements, etc. 1t is charged that such arrange
/ ments combination. purchase and sale. for the
producing of What is called community OF In
/ which ali freights Of ali roads named shall he
pooled or controlled or routed as 10 prevent
and joint control IT is charged Is simply 10 pool
/ freishts between these railways IN such proper
I ton as those controlling managing the c0rnblna-
The complaint alleges nat as re,If tb
against and freight viii be routed over one or an
other Of these lines TO maintain increased earnings
| and create fictitious earnings 10 give fictitious
BY this control and operation says the com
plant the commerce OF these States will become
SUBJECT 70 ne dictation OF a few individuals and
! by the tremendous combination Of powers thus Sc
cured legislation may he had. traffic impeded and
business destroyed i'm part Of this territory The
| OBJECT the complaint continues sis 10 place al
/ me railways under the control of a single firm or
] OF a Ie" lndVlduals, 10 control and mantyuIata
Talroa9 traffic. and practically pool all the bust
MS OF an me railroads in all this territory to
produce enormous profits. etc and TO pla e All m
business ana products OF over 1900 900 people I'M
f<-Vyl square miles OF territory under the control
ana domination OF a single individual The com
blhauoH me commission charges is I'm voIatin,
/ 81 holh the letter and spirit OF the laws 81 ~
ImiIeu states and Of the several States involved
diately inform all concerned az fbt
| December. ''9 49, '''''e' IMAM