The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-12-23
REGULATION CT RATES
Congress Preparing to Amend
Interstate Commerce Law.
THE SENATE GETS CALLED DOWN

senator Platt of Connecticut Criti-
cises Its Loose Way of Doing Busi-
MESA Place For Patent Cranks
Two Views of the Capitol.
Washington, Dec. 21.-[ Special. AL
though no legislation is expected at
this session amending the Interstate
commerce law, there is a great deal
being done about 1t. Those who have
been opposing any measure which
would fix rates or give tribunal the
power TO control rates have come to
the conclusion that the time has come
when such a measure must be con-
sidered and enacted into law. The
country is convinced that the pres
ident is right in suggesting such a
measure, and, though nothing except
gathering of information may be done
this session, it is almost sure that the
next congress will pass an important
law. The advocates of granting the in
terstate commerce commission power
to fix rates are strong, but they are
likely to be met by the opponents with
a bill to create high court Of inter
state commerce which shall pass upon
all questions of transportation.
Two Busy Men.
Senator Elkins, chairman Of the in
terstate commerce committee of the
senate, and Representative Hepburn,
chairman of the same committee in
the house. are unusually busy while
oil IL to fp arv-VrI
out the recommendations Of the pres-
dent and for an interstate commerce
court are referred to their committees,
while those who wish to present their
views seek these men or ask to be
heard by the committees. Men with
new ideas, good or bad, go to Elkins
and Hepburn and explain what ought
TO be done. These men are also com
PEELED to stand between the radicals
of one side and the extremists of the
other. They hear the antagonistic
views Of the shippers and the railroad
men. Notwithstanding such trouble
some times however, l have not heard
that they intended to retire from the
committees.
Senator Mitchell Wins.
After many months - indeed, since
the death of Senator Hanna a year
ago--Senator Mitchell of Oregon has
succeeded to the Craftsmanship of the
committee Oh interoceanic canals
There was a time when the senators
who manage affairs Of the senate did
not want Mitchell to have the place
and suggested that he should change
with Senator Spooner. This he re-
fused to do, and, standing out for the
rights Of seniority, he won. Senator
Mitchell is very much interested in the
canal construction, as are most sena-
tors OH the Pacific coast.
a Place For Patent Cranks.
In the senate annex, known locally
as the Maltby, where number of SEN
ators have committee rooms, is place
where cranks of various kinds gather
and~talk about the injustice of the gov
eminent and seek TO have the laws
changed. Their particular corner is the
room OF the committee on patents.
More people want the patent laws, the
copyright laws and the trademark laws
changed than any other single class
The room of the committee ON patents
was moved TO the Maltby when Sena-
tor Pritchard, now a federal circuit
judge was chairman. Pritchard had
numerous visits from colored men, as
he was the particular champion Of the
race, and he found ii more convenient
TO have these large delegations gather
in the annex rather than in the capitol
building When Pritchard went out OF
the senate Kittredge of South Dakota
became chairman Of the patent com
mittee. There has been a decrease OF
colored visitors, but corresponding
increase of those who want to change
the patent laws. Kittredge personally
knows more inventors than any other
man in the senate
Two Views Of the Capitol
Il wish you would spend more time
with the children in the capitol" re-
marked member of congress to his
wife II want them to have recol-
lections of the grandeur of the build
ing, its noble columns, impressive cor
ridors and marble staircases"
"Well, they are likely to tumble down
LuOSc SlulTCdSeS, she relOTIeu,
''and then they would not have men,
cries OF anything"
And the children continued to re-
main where they could play on the
city lots and will have their memories
cultivated later.
Called Down the Senate.
Occasionally some senator rises In
his place and crticises the business
methods of the senate. OF course ev-
cry one about the capitol knows that
the senate proceeds in happy go-lucky
manner until some real serious ques-
ton is presented, and then IT gets
down to business and strict adher-
ence to precedents and forms that
show there are rules and regulations
which IL is willing TO observe. 1t was
Senator Plat OF Connecticut who felt
called upon to tell the senate that Il
should pay more attention to business.
A claim bill was pending, and there
seemed to be little knowledge concern
ing its provisions. II want to call at