The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-01-02
VIEWS ON MERGER
POSSIBLE RESULTS OF COVER
NoR'S MEETING DISCUSSED.
MEETING WAS HARMONIOUS
Strong Opposition to the Northern
Securities Company May Strengthen
Its organization-Con
Bringing Suit at Once.
Especial to Inter Mountain,


Helena, Jan. 2.-There is no little spec
ulation among officials at the capital as
to the effect that the recent meeting OF
governors will have in shaping future
events as they have to do with the
Northern Securities company.
Gov s. r. Van SAINT Of Minnesota re-
turned to the North Star state wreathed
in smiles. He carried almost every point
and things were practically his way
from the start.
During the first day of the conference
the expressions received from the other
governors and their attorney generals
indorsed the opposition, and after the
early hours of the conference had passed
1t was merely question Of means to at
tain the desired end
Moral Effect Great
There are those among prominent Of
fcials and attorneys who believe the
governors meeting Will have a large
moral effect all over the West and that
the legal proceedings to be instituted by
Minnesota will result In the dissolution
of the Northern Securities company.
On the other hand there are those who
believe that the governors actio nwill
come to naught an dthat the resort to
the courts will avail nothing.
In the meantime the Northern Securl.
ties company will strengthen it's organ
ization.
A prominent Helena man who deals
largely in stocks on the New York
stock exchange and is familiar with
every move made by President Hill to-
wards the organization of the railroad
merger states that the opposition that
has been started by Governor Van SAINT
has really alarmed the projectors of the
Northern Securities company and given
President James J. Hill a few sleepless
nights.
The opposition has only served, IL is
ayerred, to strengthen the trust, and all
interests represented in the Northern Sc.
curities company are rallying to the sup
port of the organization. The Helena
man further stated that his belief was
that the new corporation would fall of
Its own weight if 1t had not been for the
persistent opposition. AS 1t Is the sew
eral interests represented, that under
other conditions might not get along har.
moniously, are now rallying to the sup
port of the company and are fortifying
their position with every available
means
The conference asked congress to In
vestigate the trust and to authorize the
maximum rate. 1t is doubtful, how
ever IL the matter Is brought up on the
floor of either branch of the national
law making body. Those who are not
opposed to the merger will argue that
congress can have no business looking
into the matter, especially when the le-
gality OF the trust is to be adjudcatej
by the highest courts of the country. II
the present antitrust laws prove made
quate 1t would then be time for con.
gress to address itself to a consideration
or more effective law.
Governor Hunt Was Jealous.
The resolution offered by Governor
Hunt Of Idaho was pigeon -holed almost
as soon as it had been introduced. II
declared in favor of the government
ownership Of railroads. Being referred
to the committee on resolutions 1t was
never reported back.
While neither Governor Van SAINT or
Attorney General Douglas would not
disclose the character of the proceedings
to be instituted in Minnesota. both were
willing to state that proceedings would
Sbe commenced without unnecessary de-
lay.
The extra session of the Minnesota
legislature to make an appropriation to
stand the costs Of the suit will be held
during th elatter part of this month.