The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-31

WASHINGTON, u. O.. May al
The complaint OF Western shippers tn
Attorney General Wickersham and
their demand that the Department of
Justice take some action to check the
proposed wholesale Increase in freight
rates by the railroads were laid be-
fore President Taft by the Attorney
General TO-DAY
After a conference with the Presi-
dent the Attorney General said that
no decision could be given in the mat
tor. but that some announcement
j could he expected by Tomorrow morn
ing. Th- increased rates go into ef-
iect tomorrow.
The Attorney General called at the
White House as soon as the President
reached the executive Offices. The
conference lasted for half an hour.
wfekersham explaining the charges
made BY the shippers. who alleged
that the general increases were the
result of a conspiracy OF railroad
presidents.
Just what the Presidents attitude
in the situation Will be Is q matter
OF conjecture. Throughout the cam
paiGn for railroad legislation he has
nteadfastly upheld the right OF the
railroads to make traffic agreements.
Tho shippers hold that the increase
scheduled 10 take effect tomorrow X
sample OF what iesalized trafiic
agreements would produce.
President Taft viii review the whole
matter as laid before him. by the At
torney General and it is probable that
the attitude OF the administration and
the question OF action by the Depart
ment Of Justice in the matter viii lbs
settled at a further conference be
tween the President and the Attorney
General.
The storm point III the battle Of
mid Western shippers against the rail
roads conferred here to-day and at
tracted the attention of many branches
of the government
The shippers had their inning yes
terday. and to-day a formidable array
pf high railroad officials arrived in
tho city intent upon frustrating the
demands of the shippers.
Among the railroad men who nj
ready have reached Washington are:
George Il. Peck, Of the st. Paul sys-
tenn. q. W. Kreutzinger- of the AIa-
non, General Counsel Pierce Of the
{ Rock Island. ana james German. viCe-
president In charge Of traffic of the
Rock Island.
In addition, John G. Spooner. former
Senator and general counsel for u
number OF the largest Western sys-
TENS. lis also In the city
The shippers arranged further
conference with Attorney General
Wickersham for this afternoon. They
expected also to ask tbs Interstate
Commerce Commission for - hearing.
The attorney-general said to-day
that he would take the matter up
with the President again This after
noon and until after that conference
he would be unable to make any an
nc uncement as TO his probable course
Of action. Niekersham attended the
meeting of the Supreme Court Of the
United States o-dsy and delivered
an address upon the lille OF the late
Justice Brewer.
The feeling OF the de bartment Of
Justice however WtS evidenced by
one of the highvst officials when he
declared that the faulty of the rail-
roads in attem pting 10 get temporary
advantage Of the shippers in the man
ner described by the Omaha commit
tee yesterday was surprising and CT
the character To invite more drastic
fexssiation than would be favored hy
these looking to conservative reser-
walton of the business interests Of
tue country
The suggestion was made TO the
attorney-generai that through Il spe-
ciai message from President Taft 20
Congress the Senate and House might
be induced TO pass to-day as scpa-
rate measure that section Of the
pending railroad bill which gives 10
the Interstate Commerce Commission
autheFity, 10 examine proposed ia
creAses Of rates before they go into
effect On consideration, however.
the attorney-general said he believed
that zach n rntsrae <rrIt1ta= iJTz=Fs I4E=fsaT=
There IL reason to believe that
Wickersham already has taken pre-
liminary steps TO bring the subject
10 the attention Of District Attorney
aims, Of Chicago. That IL the near
est point at which an injunction suit
could he filed. II happens that w ),
Kenyon, assistant sttorney-generat, Is
In Chicago, and 1t liz thought that his
sArvices will be called upon 20 pre-
pare the necessary affidavits in case
IN Injunction is asked.