The San Francisco call., 1908-12-29
CLIMAX FORCED IN
RATE RAISE WAR
Southern Pacific Refuses to
Make Satisfactory Reply TO
Shippers as TO Increase
Mercantile Interests May In
woke Injunction as Answer
to Railroad

Nith but three DAYS remaining be
fore the time when tile advance in
freight rates is 10 become effective. the
southern Pacific railroad advised the
Shippers yesterday that ii was not yet
prepared 10 present formal answer TO
The complaint submitted some three
weeks ago. The inability Of the rail-
roads 10 inform the shippers as TO their
position has forced climax in the
present controversy. AS a result two
important meetings viii he held today
q which. IL is understood, decisive ac-
tlon VIII be taken by the mercantile in
Jerests
One Of the meetings viii be that OF
the. traffic bureau of the Merchants eN-
csiange- The bureau VIII pass definitely
on the question of Injunction proceed
lnes- A large element desires TO force
The issue through the medium Of the
courts. but there is said TO be some
opposition 10 this procedure. One Of
The members OF the executive commit
tee OF the bureau said yesterday that
a plan had been suggested by which
iae increased rate could go into effect
and Al the same time the interests of
tne shippers be protected This Dropo-
silon called for court order by which
Inc excess over the present schedule
could be collected and impounded TO be
distributed later as the court should
decree Such a plan would follow in a
geReral way the precedent established
IN The gas and water cases.
At the meeting OF the traffic bureau,
A. J. Scott viii submit a report on be
half Of the committee of three which
selected William r. Wheeler as man
ger. The bureau viii indorse the ap-
pointment and make definite arrange
meits for Wheeler TO take up the work.
Il "a
come 10 san Francisco until March. but
he viii keep in touch with the local
situation by wire and letter in the
meantime.
The other meeting called for today is
that OF the shippers executive commit
lee Of = This body wiz act in har-
lnony with The traffic bureau of the
Merchants exchange. 1t viii also make
hns5 arrangements for the mass meet
iqgs TO be held throughout the state on
rate day, December 80.
There was general disappointment
--eSterdav that the railroads had not
'subnsitted their reply. A special re-
quest was made last week of G. W.
fsuce. general freight agent Of the
Southern Pacific. that he prepare the
Oh eply at as early a date as possible.
luce answered that il would be i'm
possible 10 act till after Christmas.
The shippers looked for their answer
yesterday and when IT was not forth
coming they communicated again with
Luce. The Southern Pacific representa-
rive then stated that his company was
not yet ready TO make its response. It
is understood that there was some in
formal discussion, bur nothing OF a
definite nature.
Many Of the shippers were inclined to
regard this as en- indication that the
railroads We're not disposed TO make
any concessions and the sentiment IN
favor Of injunction proceedings became
more pronounced
An important conference was held
yesterday between A L. Scott and Jo-
seph Durney Of the special committee
~ the Merchants Exchange traffic bu-
reau, and c H. Bentley. chairman Of
tie shippers committee of l5- The sit
Dation was discussed in ali It's phases.
There was some uncertainty as to fu-
ture action as the railroads had not
definitely outlined their position.
While other matters are still pending
the shippers are going forward with
their plans for the rate day mass meet
ings. Latest reports indicate that the
movement viii be far more Widespread
than was at first believed A number
OF cities in the southern part Of the
state sent word yesterday that they
would join in the protest and had ar
ranged large gatherings for December
80.
From Ventura came a message that
James Blackstock and the city board of
trade. had called a meeting. The bean
men OF Ventura county are greatly in
rerested in the rate question as their
industry is seriously affected. Ventura
is the bean center OF the state and the
extra tax or 10 cents. which the trans
continental lines propose TO levy on
every 100 pounds of beans would cut
down materially the incomes of the
farmers Of the district Information
also reached the local organization
from Santa Barbara and Santa Paula
that arrangements had been completed
Tor big gatherings.
The work in southern California has
been directed on behalf Of the shippers
by.R. r. Sutherland, who has sent cir
cular letters to every district affected
by the proposed increase in tariffs.
Another letter was sent out yester-
day by the shippers committee asking
that the resolutions drawn up for the
occasion be passed without amendment
by all the meetings throughout the
state Each meeting viii take such
other action as il desires, but the local
committee has drawn up the main reso-
lutions which cover the subject in a
general manner.