The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1907-03-28
COOPERATION
TO END rail- CRISIS
COMMERCE COMMISSION SAID TO
HAVE SOLVED PRESENT PER-
Picking SITUATION.
NATION AND ROADS
TO ADJUST RATES
Special Traffic Official Would Meet
Representatives Of carriers-May
Stop Hostile Legislation - Suit
Planned Against Hartman.

New York, March 25.-It is I'M
derstood that the interstate commerce
commission in Washington has finally
hit upon a plan for a solution of the
perplexing problem to relieve the pres
ent crisis in the railroad situation by
bringing about apractical cooperation
between the railroads and the federal
government. The plan, which is now
being considered and has practically
gained the approval of the commits
sion and the president, is the appoint.
ment of a western interstate traffic
commissioner to represent the COM
mission, with headquarters in Chi
cage and st. Louis.
Rate Adjustments the Plan.
This body is to cooperate with the
public and the railroad officers in OBJ
tanning reasonable rate adjustments
and to adjudicate all matters now in
dispute. The railroad representatives
and the commissioners. would virtual
ly assemble about a round table to
discuss freight rates, stop violations
of the law and prevent rate discrim-
nations and preferences.
1t is believed this plan will put a
stop to the flood Of hostile legislation
against railroads in the west and
establish more friendly relations with
the railroads on the part Of the gov
eminent.
This important development is said
to be the result of recent conferences
at Washington, in which Benjamin F..
Yoakum, head of the Rock Island
board, participated.
Government Suit Against Hartman.
Washington, March 25.-Prepara-
lions to proceed against E. H. Harri-
man are going on quietly here at the
direction of the president, who is de-
termined that the exposures brought
out by the interstate commerce COM
mission at New York some time ago
shall be sifted to the bottom. He
wishes to avoid, however, all the stir
possible in view Of the present COLI
dition Of the railroad situation, as re-
1ected in Wall street.
The department of justice has beer
at work on the case for many wee
and the interstate commerce comm
sion is also running the prelimina'
work on it's final report on the invc
tigation. This, however, cannot /
completed until some time after Apr
4, the date set for the final arg
ments.
No More Evidence for Board.
Both the Hartman roads and the
commission have announced that they
have no further evidence to submit
and all that now remains is to hea.
the protests of the railroad attorneys
against the proposition that the merg-
er Of the Union Pacific and the South
ern Pacific is a combination in re-
straint of trade and hence a violation
Of the Sherman antitrust law.
It has not been definitely decided.
however, whether the proceedings con
Lemplated will be inaugurated under
the interstate law or the
Sherman act. Much depends upon
the findings of the commission.
The Alton deal is what is being es-
pecially investigated by the depart
ment Of justice. It has been cooperat-
Ing with Gov. Deneen and Attorney
General Stead, but it is understood the
Illinois officials have told Attorney
General Bonaparte that there is no
statute in Illinois under which the AL
Ion deal can be reached and that if
Hartman is to be proceeded against
t will have to be done by the federal
government. sa