The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-16
HILL UNFAIR, SAY
RATE REF0RMERS
Great Northern President s Inter-
view Brings Out Reply
from Clement.
Morton's Compromise Plan Wins
Approval on Both Sides Of
the Controversy.
e9sw York Sun Special Service.


with James j. Hill in New York, in
which Mr.. Hill declared that the inter
state commerce commission would be
made the most powerful body OF men
on earth by carrying out the presl-
dent g recommendation that it be given
authority arbitrarily to fix railroad
rates. attracted wide attention. The
interview was read with deep interest
by senators and representatives. by the
railroad officials who are in Washing
ton to oppose any drastic legislation,
and by members Of the Interstate COM
meroe commission.
The railroad officials and the con-
gressmen who are opposed to increas-
ing the powers Of the commission SAID
Mr. Hill had clearly stated the rail
roads side of the case and made 1t
plain that serious trouble would fol-
low the granting OF Increased power
to the commission.
Unfair, Said Commission.
Members of the commission contend
cd that Mr.. Hill had not stated the
case fairly and Judson G: Clements,
vice chairman of the commission, gave
out the following statement defining
the increased authority which the COM
mission seeks and the reasons for it:
IL know of no proposition Of the
character mentioned by Mr.. Hill ito
give the commission right to fix rates
arbitrarily The president 9 recon-
mendations contained no such sugges-
ton, but do ,evince keen appreciation
and the need of it's Improvement. Mel
Their has any such proposition ever en-
anated from the commission.
"The fair adjustment Of railway
rates is too important a matter to be
discussed or dealt with Unexpectedly
# should be considered dispassionately
in the true light Of actual facts and
conditions and with the utmost care
for all interests involved.
The Real Proposition.
'"The real proposition that is being
titled by others is that, when the com
mission has, upon complaint and notice
to the carrier, and after full investiga
ton, conducted like a proceeding II
court, found the rate in question TO be
unreasonable, it shall designate -and IL
sonable, and that this shall go init
effect unless the same shall be con
demned bv the court. Certainly sucf
O. proceeding cannot be fairly called ar
bitrary ans, autocratic.,,
"There is no rS question ton OF sonfis e
equal protection to the shipper and t
fhe public, as well as to the propert.
Of the carriers.
eff shippers have any rights in tn
issue, according to the theory of tn
present law, there ought in all goo
conscience to be some method devise
whereby they can be definitely and &C
tually ascertained and protected, with
out the sacrifice of the property or jus
interests of either party.'
Elk1ns Has a Plan.
Senator Elkins is conducting an az
tive fight for his plan to establish a
interstate commerce tribunal for tn
~. settlement of all rate disputes betwee
railroad and steamboat lines and thej
patrons. He believes this idea will b
adopted instead Of legislation givin
more power to the Interstate commerce
commission. It is the intention of Sci
tator Elkins TO have a conference wit
the president at an early date, not late
than Saturday, and go over with hi
the Sawyer bill Of 1898, which create
such tribunal as Mr.. Elkins favor
He will explain his view fully to tt
president Ind hopes to secure his a
proval Of the plan.
Mr.. Elkins visited Attorney .Gener
surance that he will carefully exami1
the legal features Of the bill. He al
talked with Senators Knox, Forak
and others regarded as lawyers Of prof.
sinence, and found that thei views col
,cided with his own. It is his unde
standing that Speaker Cannon a.
Chairman Hepburn of the house int
state commerce commission now ayr
that his suggestion is a good one al
that they will not oppose his plans
adopted by the senate.