Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-11
UR|l|NGPROkP1 ACTION
Legislation Amendatory OF the
Interstate Commerce Act
Urged Upon Congress.
Petitions and Letters Being Re.
ceived by Congressman and
Senator'S.
II Is Desired to Give Commits.
sion Power to Enforce Its
Decisions.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 11.-Great
public interest is at present attracted to
the subject of legislation amendatory
OF the interstate commerce act. This is
manifested by the large number of let
tiers and petitions that are being re-
ceived by senator's and representatives
urging prompt action on the measure
which is submitted to the Fifty-seventh
congress by the organized commercial
ton to be considered at this session of
congress Is of SO much Importance to
the commercial welfare of the country
and to the people generally as that en-
bodied in the bill proposing to so
strengthen the interstate commerce act
as to make the rulings of the commits
sion binding and effective until reversed
by the courts. The growth Of public
sentiment in favor of this legislation
has become so pronounced during the
! past few years that early action by con-
gress is regarded by many of the rail-
road corporations as necessary to fore
Slhli SCIlouS ioi 6V'SbAAANiA
ownership of transportation lines.
There has been strong and persistent
demand for the enactment of amend
ments to the interstate commerce act ever
since the supreme court handed down
its decision to the effect that the commits
sion created by the act was vested with
no authority to enforce its findings. The
commission was thus Invested OF the pow
er which It was supposed to possess and
which it exercised for some years after
the enactment of the law. Legislation
designed to give effectiveness to the rul-
ings OF the interstate commerce commits
sion and place the common carrier un-
der government control, SO far as its
public service Is concerned, has been
strenuously opposed by some OF the rail-
road companies, and not until the past
year have they ever manifested dis
position to cooperate with business and
commercial organizations In move
ment on congress for remedial measures
to- correct the intolerable conditions
growing out of unjust rate discrimina-
tions-conditions which in some cases
are seriously affecting the export trade
of the United States In certain commod-
titles. and in other instances building UP
the industries Of one section to the dis
advantage OF another.
1t is not to be inferred from the fore
going that the carriers are identified
with the present movement for the leg
jslation under discussion. On the con-
trary, the influence of certain large and
potential transportation companies has
been exercised very recently to nip IN
the bud movement on the part of some
of the railroads to support measures
framed to prevent ruinous rate cutting
and eliminate the unjust determinations
which have been seriously felt in ship
ring circles for many years. Attention is
directed to the conciliatory spirit which
Exists in certain railway quarters today
in striking contrast with their attitude
on this question heretofore. But it is
apparent that the majority of the trans
portation companies OF the United
States will be found arrayed at the pres
ent session, as they have been in the
past, against any measure designed to
restrict their perfect freedom of action.
The widespread public interest in the
legislation amendatory of the Inter-
state commerce act found expression in
the Interstate commerce law convention
IclQ III LOUIS ASONSIUD6E ~, 1JuU
Delegates were present from forty-one
commercial organizations, representing
industrial enterprises with millions Of
capital, employing Thousands of men,
and reaching out into every state and
territory in the union The sense of
the convention was we'll expressed as
follows: In the Judgment of this con-
vention 1t is Of the utmost Importance
that the prevailing desire among the
commercial and Industrial organiza-
lions of the country for the enactment
of such amendments to the interstate
commerce law as will insure its more
effective operation in removing existing
inequalities and unreasonable exactions
in transportation charges and prevent
ing the practice of Determinations now
so prevalent, should be impressed upon
members of congress Ia the most forci- |
BILE manner" The convention invited
the commercial and Industrial organiz-
ations OF the United States to unite in |
the movement to secure prompt action !
on the part OF congress in enacting the
desired amendments to the act. A sys-
tematic effort was made to secure ac-
ton during the last congress- but his
tory repeated itself. and the national
lawmakers adjourned without having
an opportunity to consider the measure |
in open house BY dilatory tactics. and
without even the semblance OF fairness |
or disposition to discuss the question
on its merits, action by committees has
time and again been deferred.
Recent developments have been such |
as to make 1t incumbent upon congress
to act. The time is opportune, and fur
Their delay would arouse such feeling
Of resentment in commercial circles as
to render possible serious agitation for
radical measures against the carriers.
Public opinion is In sympathy with the
present movement. This is apparent
from expressions by prominent states.
men and business men, by the testi.
mony submitted to the Industrial COM
mission on the subject of transporta-
ton, and Is the known desire OF GER
tain representative railroad men to
meet the friends of the proposed legls-
lation In a spirit of compromise. .Atten-
ton should also be directed to the ac-
lion of the Legislatures of Michigan,
Kansas, Wisconsin and other states in
passing joint resolutions urging upon
the necessity for prompt rem
edial legislation. The firm attitude TAX
IN by President Roosevelt in his recent
In discussing this subject is of
the deepest significance. and is indica-
tive OF the vast change that mas taken
place in high quarters In this question
within recent years.
Conservative railway officials private
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