Show DOES RAILROAD MERGER VIOLATE SHERMAN ACT President Roosevelt Decides to Raise Question Against Northern System WASHINGTON Feb 20 ln In In a very short time a bill will be filed tiled by the United States to test the legality of or orthe the mer merger merzer er of the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern railroad systems systems systems through the instrumentality of or orthe the Northern S company In speaking of the matter yesterday At At- torney-General torney Knox said Some time time ago the President re requested requested requested re- re quested an art opinion as to the legality of this merger and it was recently given to the effect that in my judgment judgment judg judg- ment mont it violates the provisions of the Sherman act of 1890 whereupon he decided decided decided de de- de- de that suitable action should be betaken betaken betaken taken to have the question Judicially determined A bill in equity is now in course of or preparation which will be filed within a very short time which will ask the merger established through the exchange exchange exchange ex ex- ex- ex change of shares of the N Northern Se Securities Securities Securities Se- Se company for shares of the two railroad companies be dissolved and such shares ordered re-exchanged re to restore the stocks of the two railroad companies to their original holders The two two I railroad companies the Northern Securities company J. J P. P Morgan Morgan Morgao Mor Mor- gan gao and James J. J Hill and anti their associates asso- asso elates stockholders in the two companie com com- V panie will be the defendants The district district district dis dis- dis- dis in which the proceedings will be instituted has not yet been determined Most likely it will be in Minnesota |