Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-06-04

railroads from putting into effect
new rates contemplating an advance
over the rates obtaining. The gov
ernment's application for a writ filed
in the United States district court
of Missouri, brought a temporary
restraining order, issued by Judge
Dyer, directed against 20 railroads.
The petition recites that the ad-
vances are the result of unlawful
combinations and conspiracy, and
in this connection 1T is said that on
Dec. 6, 1906, the railroads, not con-
tent with the usual rates and charges
for which they were accustomed TO
carry freight, were contriving and
contending to suppress all compe-
tition between them in respect to
such fares and charges, and unjustly
and oppressively to increase and aug
ment such rates and charges, and TO
establish arbitrary rates which were
to be greatly in excess of the rates
and charges which would have pre-
vailed, but for the unlawful COM
bination and conspiracy of the de-
fandants, and thereby to exact and
procure great sums of money from
the people engaged in interstate traf-
fic, trade and commerce. within the
region of the country aforesaid, and
from all persons having goods,
wares and merchandise to be shipped
by said railroads.
Continuing, the petition states
that the railroads, intending to mon
opolize the transportation, traffic,
trade and commerce between the diff
ferent states, did combine, con-
spire, confederate and unlawfully.
agree to organize and become mem
bers in the western trunk line COM
mittee, with the purpose and object
of using said western trunk line
committee as a means for suppress
ing all competition between said de-
PENDANTS in the said interstate trans
portation. trade and commerce being
carried on by the defendants as
aforesaid"
The method employed by the
western trunk line committee by
which it is alleged rates are fixed,
is described in the petition as fol-
lows:
Each of the defendants is a mem
Der of the western trunk line COM
mittee. There is a freight commit
tee, composed of the freight traffic
managers or general freight agents
of each of the defendants. This COM
mittee meets once every month.
Whenever any defendant contem-
plates a change in any of its rates,
rules or regulations the officer or Of
fetal representing such defendant on
said committee suggests such change
to the chairman of the committee,
who then dockets the same for con-
and discussion at the next
of the freight committee. At
that meeting the matter is brought
up for consideration. If all agree
the proposed change is made by all
the roads, defendants herein. I'm
less there is unanimous agreement
the suggestion is rejected and no
road adopts the proposed change of
rates"
The petition alleges there is an
agreement between the defendants to
the effect that no rates will be in
creased or reduced except with the
of the entire body, with
ton by all the others agreed upon
at a meeting of the freight commit
tee. Further it is claimed that all
competition between the defendants
is suppressed.
The advance in freight rates en-
joined by the Missouri federal court
is the last of several made by the
railroads. and all of them doubtless
in the manner described in the pres
ont instance.
The railroads reserve the right to
combine for the fixing of exorbitant
rates; they reserve the right to re-
sort to the injunction to prevent their
men from striking for higher wages,
and they reserve the right to resort
to the injunction to prohibit a 2-cent
passenger rate, but when the ship
pers come back with an injunction
against excessive rates for freight
transportation they howl for mercy
1t is a poor rule that is not con-
sistent.