The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-23

haste just at the moment. Attorney
General Anderson in statement after
conference on rate matter held yes
terday.
For nearly two hours yesterday Gov
ernor Swanson was in conference with
Attorney-General Anderson. Corpora
ton Commissioners Prentis and Stuart
and Hon. Allen Caperton Braxton,
special counsel. and though the atti-
tude of the Commonwealth OF Virginia
in regard to the decision of Judge
Pritchard in the passenger rate mat.
ter was freely discussed. no final con-
clusion was reached as to the mode OF
procedure.
This. In effect, was the statement
made by Attorney General Anderson to
q reporter for The Times-Dispatch DUR
ing the afternoon. I'VE have decided
upon nothing definite so far" said the
Attorne General. while we shall en-
deavor to protect the rights .of the
State no rash action will be taken. ara
there is no particular demand for haste.
just at the moment"
Not the Same. Z.
A few minutes earlier Governor
Swanson and Commissioner Stuart had
declined to be interviewed the Gov
ernor referring the reporters to Mr..
Stuart. and Mr. Stuart In turn sending
lthem etsewhe1h With a Smile.
s'e fore the iGsnnt ttelren ca hal aIearned
the members were Informed that judge
/ Pritchard at Asheville had ruled
against North Carolina in the habeas
corpus proceedings, but t.ts did not
provoke comment from those who are
| haar t,,l.
In Virginia further than the state-.
men t---n1ade heretofore-that the vir-
gtnta and North Carolina cases are
not the same. H. -
When asked If another conference
would be held In the evening or to-
day Commissioners Stuart said he,
| though Tn ot.Y THE Governor will not
pc SO 81 a r away he remarked. when
| y was suggested that he was about ~
leave the city for a brief holiday.
Colonel Joseph E. Willard, the third
member Of the Corporation Commits
sion. who is visiting in the East. was
not present at the conference. M
Much speculatlon.
In the absence Of any statement
bearing on the plan most likely to hs
aeopted IN view OF the ruling by Judge
l.rilciiard. . there have been all sorts Of
speculation and a variety OF opinions
nave been expressed by LAWYERS ND
others. Is evident, however. that
lhere IS no desire on the part OF tha
STATE TO bring about a ational ! ella sha
between the courts similar to that IN
Ncrth Carolina. and emphasis has haen
given 70 the statement that the mode
OF legal procedure will not be tl,e
same. Moreover, 1t is known +bat ~,
authorities regret the attennt IN ~ ~
part OF some newspapers to have Il
appear that serious trouble is brew
ihs, Tor 1t Is the aim of those dere.
gated by law to look aftor the MO
ceedlngs to move quietly and ina
| decorous manner 5 :.
While. having the proper respect for
.he federal court, they believe that
.me. necree OF one of Its judges is
wrong, and for that reason they !, 2 s,ro
to have the question settled bv ~
court Of proper and highest iurisdic.
ton. 8@ 80 t'u -
HOW this may be done is the aues-
Ii' .ion winch is soon to be determined
Ine order or the commission making
the two-cent rate effective July i 81
was halted by Judge PrItchard, and
the newspapers were restrained from
publishing any formal or official no.
'lce that the law as to passenger fares
| would be changed on the specified
date. The State, therefore, could NOT
/
arate notices had been printed.
May Face Issue.
! According to men closely Identified
with the administration, it is believed
that IN the event of an open fight,
Clerk Wilson. OF the commission,
would be made the hero" or
scareEcnt, and by ordering en-
forcement he would be arrested and
| probably put In tall on a Federal war
| rant Habeas corpus proceedings
would then follow, and the United
States Supreme Court would have to
pass Judgment This would bring the
]matter to a head without delay, as
such proceedings have the right of
way, and the question OF constitutions
lallty would be decided earlys,in the
1 fall.
But whatever course Will be taken
the public at the moment has been
llleft In the dark,