Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-31

d a
w representations were made to-
day to Attorney General Wick
ersham by interests representing ter
ritory of western traffic lines. asking
that the government enjoin the rail
roads from putting into effect a gen
eral increase on freight rates June 1,
notice of which was given by the rail-
roads a month ago.
1t was argued the proposed increases
were unWarranted and unjust, and the
opinion was expressed they were the
results of a combination or agreement
among the railroads in contravention
of law
The attorney general told his callers
he would do the best he could for
them Further than that, he declined
to outline what his course might be.
The hearing was held in the office of
the attorney general where a delega-
tion of about forty persons called to
take action, protesting against the ad
vance. The committee was accom-
panied by senators and members of
congress in the territory affected.
MANUFACTURERS PROTsT
In a general way the case of the
protestants was first presented by Will
liam d. Haynie, counsel for the Illi-
nois Manufacturers association, who
presented a memorial prepared at the
recent meeting of shippers at Omaha.
1t asked a suit be brought to enjoin
the increased rates from becoming op-
erative, until such time as the courts
could determine whether an illegal
combination existed.
The general burden imposed by the
proposed. rates on manufacturers, pro-
ducerS and consumers was too great,
the memorial declared, and should be
resisted Old methods were too slow
to stop their becoming effective, it was
set forth. and the interest affected
suggested that the interposition of the
Sherman antitrust law be invoked.
The memorialists took the ground that
the action of the railroads in seeking
to increase rates at this time was to
forestall legislation giving the inter-
state commerce commission authority
to set aside proposed rates in advance
of complaint Of a shipper-it being ad-
mtted in response to a suggestion of
the attorney general that it would be
easier to drop from a higher than to
increase a lower rate.
WICKERSHAM NONCOMMITTAL
At this point the attorney general
told his hearers he would give the mat
ter careful attention.
The suggestion that the Sherman law
be invoked, he said. was a novel one.
Mr.. Wickersham pointed out that the
delay in presenting the request for
action by the government was a serious
handicap. So many steps were neces-
sary in bringing suit to enjoin that he
seemed doubtful if anything could be
accomplished before midnight tomor-
row. but he did not say whether he
would act Immediately.
Senators Cullom and Warner here put
in word in behalf of the protestants,
and Representative Hubbard said it
was the duty of the department of JUS
tice to move against this Conspiracy"
After Mr. Haynie had presented the
memorial, most of the callers withdrew,
but at the suggestion of Mr.. Wicker
sham half a dozen representatives of
commercial companies and of traffic
bureaus familiar with the technical
features of the rate situation remained
for further consultation.
INCREASE UNCALLED FOR
The opinion was expressed that the
increased rates announced in western
territory was the fCrerunner of a gen.
eral advance, although the declaration
was made on the authority of the vice
president in charge of the traffic bureau
of a western railroad, that the pro-
posed increase was entirely uncalled
for One of the committee said it was
his opinion that while the avowed pur-
pose was to raise $1OO,OOO,O 900 for certain
expenditures, in reality 100000, 900
would be realized
Complaint was made of a lack of
facility in obtaining the tariff sheets
showing the proposed rates, and of an
apparent disposition on the part of the
railroads to keep them from general cir
culation.
All conditions, it was said, were in
favor of a general reduction, rather
than an increase in rates. as the opera
ton of the law prohibiting rebates had
resulted in what in practice amounted
to a very large advance