The Washington times., 1910-06-04
COMMUTERS JOINING
IN FIGHT OVER RATES
Whole Country Said to Be
Lining Up With or Against
Railroads.
STRONG INFLUENCE
ENLISTED IN CAUSE
Passengers Object TO Having
Payroll Burdens Placed
Upon Them.

NEW YORK. June 4.-The fight for
and against the increased freight rates
by the railroads of the country is rap
idly taking on titanic proportions.
on the side of the railroads are being
lined up the manufacturers Of railway
material, equipment and supplies, and
through them every person who draws
a benefit from the sale or manufacture
Of materials used by the railroads ana
all merchants who profit from the
wage-earners of those so employed.
on the other side are the manufac-
turers, farmers, and shippers generally.
injected into the fight are the thou
sands OF commuters. who are enraged
by the announcement that all commu-
tatbon rates are to be increased TO
meet the increased DayroIls" of the
railroads. The commuters first wanted
10 know why they were 20 be the
goats and stand the burden for the
wage increases. Then came the an
nouncement that freight rates were go
ms up for the same reason. and the
Commuters have Joined hands with the
Shippers 10 aid the Attorney General
in DIS fight 10 keep rates down.
Railroads Enlist Aid.
VII interest every man, woman, and
'hlld in the United States. 80 far the
railroads have the worst Of the struggle
inasmUch as the increase Of freight
rates In the West has been enjoined in
the Federal circuit court and the East
ern roads Will probably be kept, TEN
porarly at least from raising theirs
That the railroads realize influence
NJ he rem "a
The necessity Tor higher rates Is shown
by call for conference OF the GEN
eFal executive committee OF the Rail-
way Business Association. That or
Eanlzation viii meet in the Hotel Bel
mont on next Wednesday and win con-
slider plans for aiding the railroads
Composed as il is OF manufacturers Of
railway equipment, materials, and sup
pies IN twenty-five States. il will be
brought into the night by the railroads
VINO threatened 10 cancel all orders for
new cars, engines, and equipment of
every sort
Bringing Pressure to Bear.
President George A. Post, in discuss
ing the situation. said that at the meet
ing strong appeal viii be prepared
asking the public and Federal officials
TO consider in a broad way the neces-
sites Of the railroads and avoid the
Calamitous blunder of technical vic
tories in litigation which may result
In widespread industrial and commercial
distress
II was intimated by persons interested
II TINS association, that pressure will
be brought 10 bear on President Taft OF
such character that the Department
or Justice viii be compelled to with
draw lis suit against the Western
roads. Already, il is said, the influence
OF J. p. Morgan & Co. eXerted through
George. W Perkins, has led the West
eTn shippers TO reScind much of their
opposition to the increased rates
Perkins. II is declared by men familiar
with the situation here, has pointed out
20 the shippers that they could pass ar%
increase on 10 the consumer, and that
their business would not be hurt by a
reasonable advance In rates.
Commuters Join in Fight.
Meanwhile the various chambers of
commerce Of the cities forming the rim
Of the wheel seventy-fve miles out from
New York are coming to fight the ad-
vance to the commuters in The courts.
This fight Will be fully as lively as the
freight rate fight and much more pic
turesdue The railroads have robbed
committing of its charm by prohibiting
poker and bridge whist, but the commu-
tiers stood for that.
However, when the company insisted
on getting the money from the commu-
tiers which il saved them by prevent
ing gambling, the dOwn-trodden "trip
per belived the time had come 10
kick.
In New Jersey Governor Fort has been
interested in the fight, while in New
York the State Public Service CJn-
mission has taken up the cudgels for
the commuters.