The Minneapolis journal., 1902-01-01

! Is threatened of the great competing railway
! lines which traverse vast areas of the 5coun-
duce fares and freight rates, and such power
is contrary to the spirit of the Jaws OF the
states through which such lines pass, and in
imical to the public welfare; therefore. we
recommend that the congress Of the United
States cause an investigation to be made of
the various trangcontinental railway con-
solicitations that have occurred. lsgs
| Resolved further, That one Of the, con-
/ clusions reached by this conference that gov
mental lines must be the ultimate remedy to
apply where such. roads combine With the
power to absolutely control the business OF
1.-The country. - ss9 Ssszs IA
| 1t IS iusthel directed That a copy of Thecs
| resolutions be sent to the senators and repre-
|sentatives Of the states here represented.
| In explaining his resolution Governor
Hunt made the following statement
| Idaho has present interest in the for
nation of the railway consolidation. We be-
! lieye in the vast benefits the railroads are
giving the west.
| We invite them to enter our state, but do
not believe present encouragement of railroad
extension would result in the construction Of
railroads in the state.
| The future of the state has, however, a di-
rect and vital interest in this merger. In a
very few years the timber, agricultural and
mineral industries of the state will have
Preached such stage that they must have
| transportation.
I believe in government ownership in pref
erence to private monopoly, which is appa-
rently in sight, and submitted resolution
Recommending that as well as a congressional
|investigation to the conference, and with some
notifications and the clause recommending
government ownership stricken out, it was
adopted.
| In my opinion the principle of government
/ al control is far preferable to the absolute
political and commercial power that will lulti-
mately inure to the syndicate having the
ownership of this combination Of railways Of
the country, with the, dangerous and almost
unlimited power to blast the fortune OF the
ndydgal or GO along Us
| of the trust, be they good or bad.
| believe this question is SO vital that should
the present plan OF preventing this merger
! fail, then we have no other resource than
government ownership.
! Eeart-to-Heart Affair.
! Attorney General Martin said last
night that the conference had been entire
! ly harm onious.
"There was not the least friction he
| said. GAS our resolutions Indicate we
propose legal action in the courts, but
<! have no right to disclose where or when
| the action will be commenced.
| "Will it be commenced in the federal
| or state eourt?' was asked.
81 cannot tell you that he renlied.
HAS it been lefs to Governor Van SAINT
! or any other individual or committee to
commence proceedings
IT can only say that there is an undey-
| standing as to that, but I cannot tell You
| what it is,' was the reply.
"Would state or an Individual be the
complainant in the proposed suit ?"
Very likely the state replied Attor-
ney General Martin. 1T might, suppose.
be commenced by an individual, but that
is not at all likely.
Attorney General Douglas of Mime
sofa, who has kept himself in the back
ground outside .pf the executive Chambers
had little to say.
1--WE are all very well pleased with the
result of the conference" he said. and
that was all.
Attorney General stratton of Washing
ton and Pyle of South Dakota, each ex-s
pressed himself as being satisfied with
the meeting. 81 believe said Attorney
General Stratton, that Governor Me-
Bride of Washington will stand by the
resolutions as passed by this conference
I think / know his sentiments in this
matter, and that he, Nill render such aid
as he can.
Although the resolutions do not def
nitely say so, it is certain that the con-
templated action will be commenced IN
Minnesota.
nu u<, r,rrr