Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-24
of Simultaneous
Announcement of Unifonm
Increase in Rates Empha-
sized as 300 Organizations
Join in Protest Meeting.
Pennsylvania President De-
oIines to Send Representative
to Hear Complaints; Readings
Merely Acknowledges Receipt
of Invitation.

Inc question whether the railroads are
acting in conspiracy and restraint OF
trade in the fare increases announced.
was raised at the meeting of commuters
in the Garrick Theatre this afternoon by
Edwin M. Abbott.
He pointed out that IL such should
prove to be the case the matter is within
the Jurisdiction Of the Attorney General.
Prior to the meeting it was runored
that charges Of conspiracy might be
made by some of the speakers.
These charges, 1t was said. would be
based on the fact that the Increase in
passenger tariffs was announced sinul-
taneously by all the railroads. and that
there was remarkable uniformity in thu
changes suggested by all the roads
The news from Washington yesterday
that complaints had been made to the
Department of Justice against the action
of the railroads brought out this new
phase of the rate fight. While the officials
of the Department of Justice will make
no statement, It is unders. ood that the
| complaints urge an investigation to de-
termine whether or not the railroads
have entered into conspiracy in violation
OF the Sherman antitrust act
900 ORGANIZATIONS IN PROTEST..
The meeting in the Garricl Theatre is
the first real volley fred in the cam
paign, for while desultory action has been
| taken by scattered bodies In the past
week, representatives from 800 business,
civic and improvement organizations meet
there to join in the fight as unit
samuel Rea, president of the Pennsyl-
vanla Rallroad. and Theodore Voorhees,.
president of the Reading Railway, today
! wrote to Edwin NJ. Abbott one OF those
VINO called the meeting, acknowledging
the receipt Of the invitation to attend
Mr. Rea stated that the Pennsylvania
railroad would not be represented, "for
the reason that the proposed increases
In passenger fares have already been
called to the attention of the several
state commissions and the Interstate
Commerce Commission"
Mr.. voorhees, did not state whether the
Reading would be represented or not
1t has not been announced definitely by
the leaders of the meeting 1ust what
course of action will be taken The prob-
ability that the Public Service Commis-
sion Of Pennsylvania will hold a hearing
In Philadelphia some time this week win
have to be considered in making plans
for the fight.
Until yesterday 1t was not thought this
Commission would grant hearing TO the
rates would have become operative Fol-
lowing the conference late yesterday
afternoon between Edwin NJ Abbott.
president of the Philadelphia and Read.
ing Commuters Association, and William
W. Trinkle. counsel for the Commission.
it was announced that a hearing might be
granted Friday in the City Hall.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT RECOGNIZED.
AS the commission last week intlnat-
ed it would not announce a date for a
hearing until after December Is, the date
when the new rates become effective,
Commuters say the change of plans on
the part of the commission is proof that
they have come to recognize the strength
Of public sentiment awakened In the
fight.
Representatives of the South Jersey
Commuters Association, United Towns
Improvement Association, IIaddonheld
Civic Association. Audubon Board OF
Trade. the General Improvement Assoc
citation, of Palmyra; the Pitman Board
of Trade, borough boosters OF Laurel
Springs and the Clementon Business
Mems Association. today presented =
petition to Governor Fielder agnin ask
ing him to take action IN the proposed
increases of railroad rates by caaing a
special session of the Legislature, which
he declined TO do last week.
The particular matter causing the COM
muters of South Jersey much concern Is
the lack of definite powers OF the State
Board Of Public Utility TO order the con-
tinuahce OF the sale of the 10O-trip ticket.
the 50-trip family ticket and the excursion
ticket, which the railroads In December
they would withdraw
William c. Marshall and Edward West
appeared for the commuters. and de-
clared among other things that the seven
sisters antitrust laws could not have
been framed more favorably from a
railroad standpoint.
At the conclusion Of the reaflng OF the
petition and the argument the Governor
said that he had not changed hts mind IN
the matter and he had no reason for
calling a special session OF the Legisla-
ture. The representatives. after waiting
on the Governor went to the office q
the Utility Commission to secure further
data in order 20 bring the matter formai-
ly before the Utility Board.
Last night protest meetings were held
In Norristown, Wyneote. Riverside, n. -
Haddon Heights. n. J.. Narberth, Ndqd-
bury. n. j.; RiYerton, n. u. and Aef-
chantVille, y. J. "A score Of other meets
ings are being planned in every nearby
section Of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
The New Jersey towns have arfQnsca
mass meeting at the camaza
city Hall for Z o'clock Friday afteenQea.
when delegates from all the Protesting
win form one central orsan-
cation 10 conduct the hght Mayor Charles
II. Ellis viii preside. The Mayor Oz saea
protesting community has been ASKED =