Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-01
PLAN TO FIGHT MERGER.
Definite Agreement Reached at the
Governors Conference.

1OvcFNOFS SOHI0VCISOs
Helena, Mont, Jan. IA definite
plan of action to defeat the proposed
consolidation of the Northern Pacific,
Great Northern and Burlington railway
systems was unanimously agreed upon
by the governors and attorneys general
of seven northwestern states in which
those roads have mileage. Legal ac-
ton will be instituted Immediately In
Minnesota courts with this object in
view, and, to quote Attorney General
Douglas of Minnesota, t thing will
be fought to.a finish" Just how, when
or where these suits will be brought
neither Governor VanSant of Mime
sofa nor Attorney General Douglas
would state.
The conference adjourned late yester-
day afternoon after adopting resolu-
lions ~condemning the proposed merger
as contrary TIC sound public policy and
pledging support to any proper legal
action which may be brought to test
its validity. Other resolutions adpoted
call on to investigate the sub
ject and favor h granting 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 h Great
Northern, Northern Pacific n Bur-
lington railway systems in the several
states thru which they run as paral-
lei and competing lines is contrary to
sound public policy and also. with the
exception Of Idaho. is violation of the
constitution and laws of said states.
and mindful of the obligations which
the law imposes in such cases upon the
officials of the several states here rep
resented, we hereby give our unquali-
fed approval and Endorsement of any
proper and suitable proceedings which
may be instituted in any court having
Jurisdiction, by the sovereign state of
Minnesota 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 earnes CO.
operation, and further, WI unanimously
protest against n combination OF
consolidation which restricts or stiles
4iGC ~ Az On VI
merce Of the country"
This resolution was unanimously
adopted.
Governor Herried of South Dakota
left for .his home before action was
taken. but rough drafts of the resolu-
ton were presented to him before he
left, and it Is understood he favored
them.
The second resolution. which was a
substitute for the one offered ny Cover
nor Hunt of Idaho, along the same
lines. was as follows:
Whereas, a consolidation of the
great transcontinental railway lines has
been accomplished or threatened.
which. in the opinion of the members
of this conference, is inimical to the
public welfare, therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the congress of the
States is hereby requested to in
vestigate the general subject and take
suitable action thereon; second, that
power should be granted to the inter-
state m commission to fix max
imum rates upon interstate traffic and
to regulate the same; third, h a a copy
of these resolutions be forwarded to the
and representatives in on
gress of the states here represented"
Governor Van SAINT and most of the
other state officials who have been
present at the conference left late last
night for their homes. Governor Van
expressed himself as much graft
fled over the result of the meeting
which had been requested by him.
$50 far as I am concerned said he,
after the meeting had adjourned, II
am %thorously satisfied with the work
of the meeting. 1t accomplished all
that could be desired. I am very much
pleased"
Governors Hunt and Toole also ex-
pressed qualification at the result Of the
conference.
A tr%eacherous wind hits you in the
and the ley morning you have
luntbago. Rub well and often with Per-
W ALA