Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-01
ROADS ALL MAPPING
Restraining Order Obtained
Before They Could Block 1t.
WICKERSHAM STOLE MARCH
Kept His Purpose Secret Until His
Trap Was Sprung.
PREVENTED DELAY BY MOVE
Opposition Without Opportunity to
Interpose-Advanced Rates Might
Have Imposed Otherwise.
PREVENTED DELAY BY NOV

Attorney General Wickersham talked
somewhat freely today regarding the
steps which led up to the administra TONS
move against the railroads.
The first intimation he had of the con-
ditions alleged, he said, was in the shape
of a dispatch, which came from some
where in the west. last Thursday. This
being wholly unsupported by details, it
did not impress him seriously.
Friday, more dispatches came Represent
alive Hubbard of Iowa gave him a most
comprehensive statement of tho situation.
Wickersham Starts to Work.
This convinced him, Mr.. Wickersham
said. that action ought to be taken. He
at once got together. with the assistance
of the interstate commerce commission,
all data available. During the following
two days he spent time in preparation of
the bill in equity.
The interstate commerce commission
furnished him with affidavits showing
that the tariffs complained OF had been
filed with that body. what they contained,
and that an agent had been employed at
Washington to file them.
Sunday night F. p Grosvenor was sent
to ST. Louis with the bill in equity and
the affidavits i'll his possession
Proceedings against the railroads were
brought in the eighth judicial circuit, sad
Mr.. Wickersham, because the antitrust
law had received its fullest Interpretation
in that circuit, notable case being that
OF the government against the STANDARD
Oil Company.
Railroads Circumvented.
Through the secrecy with which the
case was handled the government cir
cumvented the railroads and obtained
the restraining order without the lat
ter having any chance to be heard in
opposition to the application Had they
been permitted to appear in opposition
the result probably would have been
more or less delayed Meantime the
increased rates would have gone into
effect
1t was on this account that. although
MIR. Wickersham had determined on a
course to pursue. he purposely re-
Trained from making known his in
tentions to the Omaha committee when
they appeared before him Memorial
day.
Case to Be Prepared Later.
western roads is receiving the careful
consideration of the Attorney General
The department is awaiting news from
steps in the matter
When the date for the hearing on the
order restraining the railroads from in
creasiag their freight rates has been set
by the court, the government will imme-
diately put its case in shape.
1t is expected that the hearing on the
injunction will be held in ST. Louis.
Feather for Administration.
At the Capitol today the opinion was
expressed that the administrations &C
ton in enjoining the increased freight
rates proposed by western roads will re-
dound to the political advantage of the
administration.
The course of the administration in this
regard is expected To be popular, espe-
ciaily in n section of the country where
the administration is at present much in
need Of friends.
Whatever the final action of the courts
may be upon the injunction it is claimed
that immediate advantage accrues To the
administration by the effort made yes
terday.