Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-05-30
Especial correspondence.l

Washington, May s0.-That the in
creases OF freight rates by the rail-
roads. which in recent weeks have as
sumed unusual proportions, and are
becoming mora or less general, are
getting to The stage where they are
extremely important from political
standpoint IS a view which is rapidly
gaining ground in Washington.
The last week has served to foster
the notion that the railroad bill which
has been before congress the most of
the session IS going to cause a lot of
grief in the congressional campaign in
connection with the course of ehe rail-
roads in making something like a con-
cerIed move 70 increase freight rates
Today, Attorney General Wicker
sham will give an audience to a COM
ni-tee OF shippers representing such
important cities III the Missouri river
country as Omaha, Sioux City, and
Kansas City. They are coming on TO
protest against the increases in freight
rates in their territory, over which they
are up in arms, and to ask that the
department of justice bring proceed
ings for violation of the Sherman law.
However, they are not alone in pro-
testing. Shippers in the northwest are
aroused. So are they all thru the
middle west What is the more inter-
esting IS that New England shippers
are also disturbed. Reports coming
here from there are that the increased
passenger rates and the higher freight
rates which are going to be exacted
from that part Of the country are
causing no little feeling. In New York
+! and the region tributary, the showing
tup of commuters rates has stirred up
!, much public sentiment
t. Whole Country Aroused.
Z Members of congress are getting in
ttrnany letters and messages which
einake It plain the country, north east,
a.west and south, is giving this matter
1,of higher railroad rates more than
in>rdinary attention.
III The political phase of the matter
Is enters thru the fact that a large ele-
Shnent in house and senate have been
Eating against propositions calculated
o strengthen the control of the inter-
,cstate commerce commission over rail-
5vcoad rates and practices. II the rail-
litoad rate increase question gets as
whorougnly stirred up this summer as it
I ooks az If it would, it is likely that
members Of congress, without much re-
gard to party, will have TO do a lot
e. of explaining to their constituents to
! make II clear why they did not work
! TO give the interstate commerce COM
1 mission all the power needed TO deal
q, with rate increases. For instance.
+ some Of the senators who would not
support the amendment which required
E. the interstate commerce commission to
pass on all proposed increases Of rates.
iars likely % find this vote embarras-
ssing before they get thru telling the
! vfolks at home about il. This amend
A crnent was proposed by Senator Cum
, minis and would have passed had not
"a com proYnise been brought in which
Mallows the commission ten months TO
euspend and examine into rate in
tcrease but does not make 1t obligatory
eon the commission TO pass on all in
1creases before approving them.
Shippers Slow to Move.
e Broadly speaking, the insurgent re-
= publcans and most of the democrats
;alave stood OFT for making the law
strong enough 20 meet the conditions
raused by the general upward ten
fdency OF freight rates. The regulars
and small body of democrats have
kfresisted attempts % strengthen the
Epower Of the interstate comm
eomnise!on over freight rates as far
ats they could do so without getting
u yFer-rfdden.
III It has taken some time for the
.hippers Of the country TO get thor
ughly wrought up over the situation
nut If The food Of kilograms which
y sias been coming in lately is an indi-
- ,tion, they are getting aroused.