The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-22
FOR BETTER RATES
Interstate Commerce Com
mission Wants Power.
BILL IS NOW FRAMED
RooSeveIt'S Words Gives
Friends Encouragement


lie interstate commerce act by giving
the commission more power TO regulate
Interstate commerce and enforce its rul-
lngs Mr. Howard is the Kansas mem
Der Of the executive committee and he is
Ia close touch with its affairs. The
passage Of the bill is not made contin-
gent on the demand Of the railroads 10
recognize traffic associations. as Gov
ernor Larabee and others in the commit
tee opposed that suggestion on princi-
pie" In a letter 70 Mr. Howard friend
SAYS.
senator. Spooner has not yet indi-
,ated whether or not he viii introduce
and take charge OF the bill in the sen
ate. but we are stin hopeful he will do
60 His action VIII depend, think. upon
what the organization OF the senate COM
mittee on interstate commerce turns out
10 be, when viii be determined in a day
br two. II it is so constituted as TO De
likely 10 report our bin favorably, I am
confident he viii accede ID the commit
tees request. The Republican commit
tee on committees Of the senate was
announced Wednesday, and contains a
majority OF men Of railway affiliations,
which is, OF course, bad for US, but
think we have produced such a sentiment
among influential members Of the senate
in relation TO the placing Of railway men
on the interstate commerce committee
that they hardly dare put in more men Of
that stamp on the committee. have ad-
dressed a formal communication on the
subject in behalf Of our committee 70
Senator Platt, Of Connecticut. who is
chairman OF the committee on commit
tees. and have also brought personal in
naence TO bear upon him and certain
other members of that committee. which
7 think VIII not be without effect.
Mr.. Barry and myself have had two
interviews with Chairamn Hepburn Of
he Interstate and foreign commerce
committee OF the house. and he has fully
consented 20 introduce cur bin in the
house at once, ana he evinces much in
terest In its passage. There are four
vacancies 10 be filed on that committee,
and have addressed a strong communi-
cation to Speaker Henderson on the sub
sect of avoiding the appointment Of men
Of railway affiliations to MI those vacaa-
oies. and have also urged upon Mr.. Hep
burn that he should exert his influence
in tins direction. which he VIII do.
Everything Is looking more and more
favorable for US. except that the expec-
tati1us which Commissioner Prouty had
thar 81 section Of the railway interest
meu- ned IL my previous communication
to Inc members Of the committee would
1sr oppose the passage Of our bill. he is
loss confident IN regard 70 it I have
never had the belief myself that any
considerable element OF the railway in
terest would assent 70 or accept anything
in the way Of legislation that would be
OF any practical benefit or afford any
protection Of consequence to The public
We must make up our minds TO meet the
combined opposition Of the railway i'm
terest and trust 10 arouse a sufficiently
strong demonstration OF public interest
81 our measure 10 be effective in melting
congress TO enact the necessary legisIa-
tion. As members OF the committee IT
via be necessary for each one Of us 70
exert himself to the utmost in bringing
voice OF the people 70 bear in an ef-
fective way upon members of congress in
both houses. and it VIII then be for the
congress 10 determine whether Il viii
listen to the voice OF the people or the
voice OF the corporations. think In view
Of President Roosevelts ringing words
IN relation 20 the control Of corporations
in general and the restriction of the
railway power in particular. we may
confidently hope for success IN the end.
lie put 1t in his message As he stated
20 tho delegation from our committee
that conferred with him on the subject.
and 7 th.nk we have reason 70 he Wei
So dsled with the manner in which he has
do-e 81. Eternal vigilance. however. must
he our vatchword untii the battle is won
,.lr Barry and myself have had inter
views With Senators Jones and Cockreu
who are sardcd as the leaders Of the
Democratic side Of the senate on this
slbject. and they are very strong in their
declarations that they win not permit
the apps lament Of any railway men %
,iii the Democratic Vacancies on the inter
state commerce committee. there being
-hrae vacancies 20 be allied By the Demo /
Gratis There ara two vacancies To *
a4ed bv the Republicans. We have Sc
.ected names which we recommend foI
appointments to I'll all the vacancies On (
aoth ies. after having made careful in
vestlEation as 10 their respective senti- /
me1ts ana the probability OF their sew
crafty accepting the appointments
The Diu as IT viii be introduced is as
-oliows
4 BILL
Re IL Enacted. by the senate and House 4
Of Representative Of the United States (
% America. tn Congress Assembled;
Section Il That section ten CT an act 4
satided An Act 20 Regulate Commerce /
7s amended March second. eighteen hun
5-ed and eiEhty-one be amended 50 as 70 /
read as follows:
Sec. IL. Every carrier. every lessee,
trustee. receiver. officer. agent or repre-
sentative Of carrier. Who shall trans
sort or ofer 10 trasport traf5c Subject
10 this act 81 any ether rate or unon
lny other terms CT conditions than are
su,v published in accordauce with The
provisions of the act or who by TIE
ayueut ~ any rebate, or bv any other
device. departs frona such Published rate
% Che transportation az such traf5e
y who transports such trs1ic without
avirs FIRST published q tara applicable 10
he same .ssreeabl 70 the provissosss
q the act. and any person who procures
IT s5lictrs 70 De done. or assists. aids
" abets a. the doing Of any ore ef The
foresaid acts. shall he deemed guuiy q
rais5emeauor. and shan. llpoa convicuon +
hereof. be subject 20 q ane - ngt less
han Eve thousand dollars. aor rore than i
0cary thousand dollars Ter each such
f-euse
Any person sShether an elnpl1ye er
rr.ncIrai - Hae7osr ~ S 1-rm or
5o.asrv. CT an einp,er-. ag-sg ~ otlcer