The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-06-07
o,,lroads Agree with the President
10 Withdraw the Proposed
Increase In Freight
Rates.
AM1cABLE SETTLEMENT
conolete Agreement was Reached at
the Conference Held at the
White House Last
Evening.


nlete agreement between the govern
ment and the recently enjoined rail-
roads Of the western trunk line asso-
cation was reached at the white
house conference.
The railroads represented agreed to
the withdrawal of all rate increases
eled TO be effective on or before June
and agreed to flle no more increases
mill the bill in congress which gives
the commerce commission power to
Investigate and suspend increases that
are not justified becomes a law and
goes into effect.
Taft thereupon stated that the ad-
maIstration's purpose in bringing the
Injunction had been accomplished and
that the suit would be discontinued.
The discontinuance will not be en-
tered until after the new railroad law
Is signed.
The belief was expressed last night
that all of the other roads which have
fled increases will abide by the de-
cision reached. Today Taft will con-
fer with the heads of the roads of the
central and eastern territory. 1t is
believed that they will acquiesce in
Taft's proposition.
Everyone at the conference seemed
gratifed over the outcome. 1t means
that the roads will be relieved of em-
barrassing litigation, and they are as
sured of square DEAL and are free
to go ahead with their projected inn
proyements which they threatened to
cancel.
Wickersham, Knox and Nagel sat
In the conference, as did Messrs. Lane
and Knapp Of the commerce commits
sion, and Messrs. e. P. Ripley, w. D..
Hines, Frederic A. Delano and S. M.
FELTON,, representatives of the rail-
roads The agreement reached does
not cover rates put in effect in the
last few months.
The roads told the president they
had been misrepresented as to their
doing anything secretly regarding the
Hing OF new tariffs. They said they
had been advised by counsel that the
goyernment's injunction suits could
not be sustained The president re-
Piled that he was willing to take a
chance on that and that he thought
she best way out for the railroads
was for them to withdraw the in
creases.
The formal statement issued from
the white house was as follows:
=. 2. Ripley, president of the Atchf-
son, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad
company; Walker D. Hines, acting
chairman executive committee. Atchf-
son, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad
company; Frederic A. Delano, presi-
oent OF the Wabash Railroad COM
pany, and S. M. FELTON,, president OF
'ae Chicago Great Western Railroad
company, representing the twenty-four
.alitoads defendant in suit brought
W tne government in Missouri, in
which Judge Dyer granted an injunc-
uon restraining increases in rates,
met the president and attorney gener-
a. Today, pursuant to a request sent to
ue president few days ago.
Inc president stated to these gen.
uemen at the outset that the purpose
y the sudt was to prevent the pro-
posed rate increases (Which under the
existing law could not be investigated
a. all until after they had become eff
lectlve), SO as to preserve the status
untll the new statute could be passed
alu the commission should have the
poWer to investigate rate advances as
soon as announced and before becom
ing effective.
), ne stated further that he thought
~. ue railroad companies must withdraw
~. .ne tariffs enjoined and all other tar
,,ls hied by them, effective on or after
ouhe l, 1910, and that none of them
ouent to file any new tariffs involving
.a'e advances until the new law
snouid be passed, assuming that II
aould be passed at the present ses
sion of congress.
Aieer conference the railroad com
ssnies announced that they would
app soN the view expressed by the presi
ssu'' s. and thereupon the president
ns lated that If they would do SO his
bnpose ~ in bringing the suit would
~ accomplished, he saw no occasion
W., W. pressing the suit and the same
"0uld be withdrawn.