The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-03

Austin, Texas, February a.--Tho rail-
road commission today gave audience TO a
large delegation OF business men and man
ufnctnrcrs from every corner of the State
who had gathered here to urge that, II
possible. the questions at issue In the
| Federal courts between the commissioners
and the railroads be settled without
disastrous strain under which traffic has
been laboring since tho handing down Of
the Mccormick decree can be removed,
Messrs. Kemp of Wichita Falls. Cleveland
of Houston and Lasker, Jones and Rodgers
OF Galveston acted as principal spokcs-
men and made Il clear TO the commission
ers that II was not their purpose TO volun-
teer advice In the matter of details which
must necessarily be adjusted before the
desired end could he reached. but simply
10 assure tho commission that they would
| sustain 1t In any reasonable compromise
that might be decided upon. They did not,
they said, AJAX tho commission TO surrender
any Of its authority and further they an
, nounced ready, should II be found impos-
sible after the making of fair ronces-
eions to reach an understanding to back
the commission in any contest that might
follow. They also wished TO impress the
railroads with the necessity Of going as
far as posnble In doing what they could
by compromise to end the disturbances in
rates occasioncd by their appeal to tho
Federal courts without necessarily expect
ing them to concede more than In justice
could be expected OF them.
Colonel John u. Rodgers frankly stated
that while. not so very long ago. he had
been OF the opinion that the commission
did not amount to much he had revised his
views since the injunction had been grant
ed and that now he was commission man
straight from tho shoulder.
Mr. Lasser said that IT was not a ques-
tion of whether The commission was a
good thing or not, but rather one Of wheth-
or after having been created after full and
discussion, by the viii of
vnst majority OF the people OF Texas, II
should DO sustained In the fun and free
enjoyment Of the powers conferred upon II
or abandoned TO the tender merclcs OF
those who sought to deprive II OF It's ca
pacty for good. He was satisfied that the
were competent to deal
with tho railroads IN the promises and did
not hesitate 10 express confidence in tholr |
icsire and Intention to act fairly and with |
prudence. He was convinced that those ]
who were advising them, now that thcy
a.
leilies" 10 put their feet on their necks,
would not be listened 10 and that. what
,yer was undertaken. sight would not be |
ost of the fact that the situation was
me demanding the exercise of cool judg-
nent,
In reply Commissioner Storey stated
hat the commission was fully impressed
With the gravity OF the situation and pre-
jared TO meet IL with duo regard for the
lights OF all concerned. although In no
manner ready TO surrender the authority
onferred upon IL by the constitution and
tatutes.
Chairman Reagan. after everybody had
the closest attention was
aid TO his wordssaid that there was no
uestion but what It WAS in ordor that
omething be done, as great loss was be-
NJ susutained by the people of the State
nder the tariffs now In force. The rail-
pads had, no continued. expressed de-
ire for q settlement. They had asked the
TO surrender nothing substan- |
al and II was possible that the proposi-
ons they had made were entertainabie
4 all events, the commission was willing