Arizona republican., 1910-05-31
BY INJUNCTION PROCEEDING
Attorney GeneAl Wicker sham Promised to Do What He Could But the Protestants Have Handi-
 capped Him By Delay :.

Washington, May 30.-Vigorous representations were made to Attorney General Wickersham by interests rep resenting the territory of the western traffic lines. asking that the govern ment enjoin the railroads from putting into effect a general increase on freight rates on June l. notice of which was given by the railroads a month ago
 It was argued that the proposed in- creases were unwarranted and unjust and the opinion was expressed that the roads were forming a combination among themselves in cOntravention of law. The attorney general told his callers that 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 pro- testing against the advance. The com mittee was accompanied by senators and members of congress in the terri tory affected.
 In a geenFal way the case of the pro- testants was first presented by Will fam Haynie, counsel for the Illinois Manufacturers association, who pre- sented a memorial prepared at the recent meeting or shippers at Omaha. It asked that a suit be brought to en- join the increased rates from becom- ing operative, until such time as the courts could determine whether an H. legal combination existed
 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 interstate commerce commission au- thority to set aside proposed rates in advance on complaint of a shipper it being admitted in response to a sug- gestiOn of the attorney general that it would be easier to drop from a higher than to increase a lover rate. The suggestion that the Sherman law be invoked. MT. Wickersham said, was a novel one.
 He pointed out that the delay in presenting the request for action by the government was a serious handi- cap. So many steps were necessary in bringing a suit to enjoin that he seemed doubtful if anything could be accomplished before midnight, tomor- row, but he did not stay whether he would act immediately. Senators Gull lom and Warner here put in word in behalf of the protestants and Rep resentative Hubbard said 1t was the duty of the department of justice to move against this conspiracy
 After MT. Haynie had represented the memorial most of the callers with drew, but at the suggestion of Mir. Wickersham, half a dozen representa- tives of commercial interests and of traffic bureaus, familiar with the technical features of the rate situation. remained for further consultation.
 The opinion was expressed that the in creased rates announced in western territory was a forerunner of a gen eral advance. although the declaration was made on the authority of the vice president in charge of traffic bureaus of western railroad, that the pro- posed increase was entirely uncalled for. One member of the committee said that it was his opinion that while the avOwed purpose was to raise $100,- OO0, 900 for certain expenditures. in reality $500, ,OOO 900 would be realized.
 Complaint was made of a lack of facilities 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 circulation.
 All conditions. it was said. were in favor of a general reduction rather than an increase in rates as the oper- ation of the law prohibiting rebates had resulted in what in practice amounted to a very large advapce.