CN takeover would violate antitrust law

To the editor: This letter relates to the application by the Canadian National RaiIway Co. for authorization to acquire control of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company.

Because of the devastating impact on the environment, on public safety, on traffic and on property values eloquently expressed by Barrington residents at the meetings on Jan. 9. CN's application to acquire the EJ&E should be denied.

In addition, CN's application should be denied for antitrust reasons. From previous acquisitions by CN, it is clear that this foreign corporation's application to achieve control of the EJ&E is part of CN's monopolistic scheme to acquire and control feeder railway lines in the U.S. Its anti-competitive actions clearly violate U.S. antitrust laws. For example, Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act (15 USC Sec. 2) forbids any " -- attempt to monopolize -- trade or commerce -- " and subjects a violating corporation to a fine of $100,000,000 as well as mandatory treble damages and attorney's fees in a suit by an injured person.

CN's activities are clearly driven by greed and monopolistic intent and injure everyone in the Barrington area (including my wife and me who have resided on our property in Barrington Hills for 45 years).

For all of these reasons, it is urgently requested that the STB deny the application of CN for control of the EJ&E.

Wm. Marshall Lee

Barrington Hills