The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-04
Agitation Will Soon Bear
Fruit in Washington.
TO FORCE INSPECTION
Bill to Regulate Other Than Rail.
road Corporations.
PRESIDENT RoosEvELT's IDEAS
They Will he Embodied in Legtsla-
ton and Not Permitted to Re-
main u Mere Record.

From The Journal Bureau. Room, <6. Post
Budtdts0, Washan0ton
Washington, Jan. 4.-More power to the
Interstate commerce commission. That
is what congress is to hear from the
shippers Of the northwest as result OF
the Northern Securities merger. Much
was heard last session from the shipping
interests of the Mississippi valley in be-
half of the so-called Cullom bill, which
was the measure which embodied their
wants. Its passage would have given
power to the commission to make rates
and then to enforce them by suitable pen
alties.
A bill similar to the Cullom bill will
appear at this session. 1t is not yet
quite evident whether it will be drawn
by Senator Stephen ElkAns who succeeds
Cullom as chairman of the commerce
committee, or by some senator or repre-
sentative more in harmony with the in
terests of the shippers and less with those
of the roads. The shippers are already
represented here by a committee, of which
E. P. Bacon, Of Milwaukee, is chairman,
and Mr.. Barry secretary. They seem more
than ordinarily hopeful, and say the feel
ing in the west and northwest is SO strong
| that senators and representatives can
hardly afford to disregard it.
Result of the Helena Meeting.
The consolidation has been particu-
larly called to the attention of congress
| by the resolutions adopted at the Helena
| meeting of the governors The republican
| congressman particularly from the north
| west are hearing from their constituents
who insist that they do something. Just
what to do, neither constituents nor con-
| gressmen seem to know. The latter would
| like very we'll to "pass up the task. They
| are all very 10th to talk, being unwilling
| to offend either their constituents or the
railroads. From the private conversa-
/ ton Of the members 1t Is evident that
they are disposed to agree with Chair
| man Knapp that a proper supervision Of
4 the consol idated railroads is omre prac-
/ ticable and desirable. than amy attempt to
use the federal power to put obstacles
| In the path of the combination 1t seems
probable, therefore, that discussion will
center about the bill increasing the pow
ers of the commission.
A subject close to this and one which
| may absorb the interest in it, is Roose-
velt's plan for publicity and supervision
of trusts. From reading his message it
|
I of railway capital, as much, if not more,
than the great Industrial combinations.
| A bill embodying the presidents ideas
| will unquestionably be introduced shortly
after the holidays by some senator or
representative enjoying his entire conf
dence. It is said by we'll informed men,
bers that the measure will affect all cor
porations doing interstate business,
| whether railways or industrial trusts.
| The act will necessarily create an Of
fee similar to that of controller of the
currency, and will create a department,
which will do for federal corporations
what the controllers Office does to the
national banks. 1t will establish sys-
tenn Of compulsory inspection; agents will
be authorized to demand access to the
books and accounts of the great industrial
combinations doing interstate business,
and to discover what are their profits,
their paid capital, their reserve, and in
case of railroads, what rates they are
making, and whether such rates are uni
form to all shippers, and fair to all points
They will discover whether the money OF
such corporations Is being used to affect
, legislation. or to crush out fair compe-
) tition. All these will be embodied in re-
ports, which will be given to the public
at reasonable intervals.
Many have imagined that Roosevelt
would content himself with the delivery
Of his message to congSess. They have
concluded from past experience that the
message would stand as a matter Of
scholastic interest, an addition to the lit.
erature of the subject, Some have con.
: cluded that congress might make 8
feint at doing something, and that the
end would be like the remedy for trust,
proposed for political purposes just at the
close of the last congress- But those who
think this do not know Roosevelt. The
president will attempt to make his rec.
nm a iNns hoor fr,yj&. he 20 1o T.,
) reasons that he will have the support o,
public opinion, and the responsibility viii
rest where 1t belongs.
w. W. Jermane.