Evening star., 1902-01-01
THE MERGER CONDEMNED
OUTCOME OF CONFERENCE OF GOV
ERNORS AT HELENA.
Resolutions Calling on Congress for
an InvestfgatiOn-Maxim imum
Rate Demanded.

A dispatch from Helena, Mont last night
says: A definite plan of action to defeat
the proposed consolidation Of the Northern
Pacific, Great Northern, and Burlington
railway systems was unanimously agreed
upon today by the governors and attorneys
general of seven northwestern states in
which those roads have mileage. Legal
action will be instituted Immediately in
Minnesota courts with this object in view,
and to quote Attorney General Douglas of
Minnesota 1.-The thing will be fought to a
finish Just how, when, or where these
suits will be-brought neither Governor Van
SAINT of Minnesota nor Attorney General
Douglas would state.
The conference adjourned late this af-
ternoon, after adopting resolutions con-
demning the proposed merger as contrary
to sound public policy, and pledging sup
port to any proper legal action which may
be brought to test it's validity. Other res
olutions adopted call on Congress to in
vestigate the subject and favor the grant
ing of power to the interstate commerce
commission to fix maximum rates upon
interstate business. The first resolution is
as follows:
In our opinion. the consolidation or
threatened consolidation of the Great
Northern, Northern Pacific and Burlington
railway systems in the several states
through which they run as parallel and
competing lines is contrary to sound pub
lie 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 officials of the several
states here represented, we hereby give our
unqualified approval and Endorsement to
any proper and suitable proceedings which
may be instituted in any court having
jurisdiction by the sovereign state of Min
nr~n OIL S11y.r rfo 70 @o1 nl~,,
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 earn
est cooperation. And further, we unani-
mously protest against any combination
or consolidation which restricts or stifes
free competition in the trade commerce
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 resolutions We're pre-
sented to him before he left, and it is un-
derstood he favored them.
The second resolution. which was a sub
stitute for the one offered by Governor
Hunt of Idaho, along the same lines. was
as fellows:
Whereas consolidation of the great
transcontinental railway lines has been ac-
complished or threatened. which. in the
opinion of the members of this conference,
is inimical to the public welfare: there
lore, De 1t
Resolved, first, That the Congress of
the United States be, and hereby u.s. re-
quested to investigate the general subject
and take suitable action thereon: second,
that power should be granted to the inter
state commerce commission to fix maxi
mum rates upon interstate traffic, and to
regulate the same; third, that a copy of
these resolutions be forwarded to the sena-
tors and representatives in Congress of the
states here represented
Governor Van SAINT and most Of the other
state officials who have been present at
the conference left late tonight for their
homes. Governor Van SAINT expressed
himself as much gratified at the result Of
the meeting, which had been requested by
him. $50 far as am concerned" said he,
after the meeting adjourned. 'I am thor
oughly satisfied with the work Of the meet
ing. 1t accomplished all that could be de-
sired / am very much pleased"
Governors Hunt and Toole also expressed
qualification at the result of the confer
eQCe,