Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-04
MANUFACTURERS CRY FOR
SUPPORT Of INJUNCTION
Railway Officials Produce Figures to
Prove Ruin Stares Country in the
Face if They Are Not Allowed to
Charge More-Opposition Says
There is no Danger of Panic
Dry Associated Prees.l

CHICAGO. ILLS, June 3.-Simul-
:anteaous appeals to the people were
made today by the Western railroads
and by the Illinois Manufacturers AS
sociation. The railroads submitted
their brief ito the man in the street
end the farmer" limiting hard times If
The railroads are not permitted to in
crease their freight rates.
The manufacturers tel! the people
not to be deceived as there is no dan
ger of panic and laud President Taft
for his action in obtaining the iniunc-
ton, hating the proposed increase in
rates.
Reasons for Higher Rates.
On behalf of the railroads, Slason
Thompson. head of the railroad pub
licity bureau, put forward -four
reasons why railroad rates must be
raised"
According to Mr. Thompson, the
railroads in the last two years are
100000. 900 behind on maintenance;
they paid $3.50 600, 900 more annually
for labor; they paid 100000, 600 more
annually for interest; they lost $3.50
O00, 900 annually on passenger traf-
fic, with the total result that they are
10000. 900 to the bad in two years. y
Railway rates must be advanced,
many companies otherwise will face
bankruptcy" said Mr.. Thompson.
This is a result which the injunc-
ton, granted at Hannibal on a side
issue, irrespective oil the justice of the
advance on ex-parte representation,
without notice and without proper
UpfOhinO nf the
expedite. but is powerless to enjoin."
"Why this is SO may be briefly
stated in terms that the man in the
street. in the workshop and on the
farm can understand and appreciate.
In the end it is this man in the street
who must bear the brunt of any dis
aster that befalls the American rail-
way system.
Roads Face Ruin.
Mr.. Thompson quotes the railroad
statistics as far back as 1897 to prove
,he contention that the railroads face
ruin unless rates are advanced. Mr..
Thompson declares that the shippers
have been grossly deceived. and the
Associated Shippers Bureau. of Gin
cinnati. with practicing the deception.
For more than 20 years" declar-
cd Mr.. Thompson, the charge has
Ievcr been made seriously that the
average freight rates on American
railways were unreasonable per Sc.
On the contrary. it is the testimony
Of all investigators that they are the
lowest in the world. If they have
been reasonable for 20 years and the
service is more costly now than ever.
il is self evident that any slight ad-
vance now cannot make them I'M
reasonable
Charge of Manufacturers.
The resolution adopted by the H.
linois Manufacturers Association
charge the officers of certain railroads
with being in concerted movement to
make the people believe that the ship
pers and consumers are making un-
fair terms and that another financial
crisis is impending. The manufactur-
ers call on the people TO hold up the
ands of the government and demand
that the whole question of the ad-
vance or the reduction of freight rates
should at this time. and at all future
times. be presented to the Interstate
Commerce Commission for final ad-
justification"
The manufacturers extend their
thanks TO President Taft and At
;orney General Wickersham for their
promp. action in asking the temporary
Injunction"