Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20
PLAN
VIGOROUS FIGHT
ON RATE RAISE
TO MAKE COMBINED PROTEST
AGAINST INCREASE
IMPORTERS JOIN IN WAR ON
NEW SCHEDULE
Arbitrary Change in Freight Costs
Results in Powerful Opposition.
Many interests Seriously
Affected
CtAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 19.-ship-

NAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 19.-Ship-
pers and importers of California
~ are arranging to unite in state
wide protest against the increase IN
transcontinental tariffs announced by
the Souther Pacific and Santa Fe rail
roads as effective on the first day Oh
the coming new year
Opposition on the part of the inter-
ests most affected will take the form
of score of mass meetings held in
the leading cities on December 30, when
representatives of leading industries
will take the initiative and set forth
the grievances of the business men
against the carriers
An executive committee appointed
some weeks ago to deal with the ques-
ton, today announced this method Of
procedure as more desirable than an
appeal to the courts, which was re-
garded as productive of delay, or to
the interstate commerce commission,
which is poWerless to take action until
such rate changes have taken effect
The attitude of the protestants was
set forth today in statement by c. H.
Bentley, president of the San Francisco
chamber of commerce and Il member
of the executive committee, who said:
Shippers Not Consulted
1--WE deem it unjust that the traffic
managers should have arranged these
rates without consulting the shippers
and at period most inopportune.
I'VE have canVassed the railroad Situ-
alton thoroughly, and from the cost of
fuel to the statement of earnings there
is apparent no valid reason for such an
increase of rates at this time
Eastern and western shippers were
strongly represented during the past
of ,,fa xtrbo
traffic officials of the Southern Pacific
and Santa Fe system were daily in re-
ceipt of detailed objections to the pro-
posed rate increase.
The mass meetings, it is said, are in
tended to supplement these hearings
when the carriers take final action.
In each of twenty-five shipping cen-
ters the executive committee has sent
an appeal to a leader who will be given
every assistance in the organization of
a mass meeting.
In addition to this, an attempt will
be made to interest the public through
the medium of their newspapers which
will be supplied with the figures, facts
and arguments to the shippers.
Issue Circular Appeal
The sixteen men comprising the ex-
ecutiVe committee have signed the cir
cular appeal to these leaders. major
lIY Oh WUOl1 Hdle IIuiIt SIONEtS, IIull
Gamers and fruit shippers.
!, At the same time the increased rates
have elected formal protests from pro-
ducers and shippers of hides and
leather, vegetables and other commodi-
ties.
The eastbound tariff increases. it is
explained, will work hardship to the
shippers and importers of hardware
paints and oils, groceries and many
lines handled by eastern jobbers.
1t is the expectation of the commit
tee that $4,000 persons will participate
in the. meeting on rate day" as it is
to be known.
In the language of the appeal, it is
purposed ito impress upon the people
of the United States the national gov
ernment and the railroad officials, the
necessity for the withdrawal of the
proposed rates
A formal statement of the reasons
for it's action issued by the executive
committee today