The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-14
SPLIT IS IMMINENT
REPUBLICAN, LEADERS DOESN'T LIKE
 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Consider that Recommenaatien of Gov ernment Regulatlon ef Freight
 Rates Beaes III for Their
 Dear Corperatfena.

washin1ton, Dec. 13.--(Special. )-- Partisan Republicans are apprehensive and partisan Democrats are prayerful of a row between the administration and certain erstwhile powerful leaders Of his party over President Rooseveft's insistence upon regulation of inter- state commerce by Federal law and the giving of more power to the In- terstate Commerce Commission.
 Not a few political oracfes are to be found who predict that contest has begun to brew on this question, involv- ing railway traffic which is bound to prove the biggest struggle any admin istration has had on it's hands since . Republican President went to the White House.
 The first signs of a conflict are to come from the Senate and from no less potent seigniors of Republican policy than Messrs. Aliisop, Aldrich and Cni- lom. the steering committee or tne Senate. They are. as of old. opposed so any interference with the big cor perations which they regard as the creators of whatever prosperity the country enjoys Especially are they against any railway-rate fixing policy by the Government. which has been foreshadowed by President. Roosevelt in the increased powers he urges TOT
 
 What posters the policy ma king tri- umvirate of the Senate is that Presi- dent Roosevelt wants something done in this business right away: not only that, but they think they see indica- tiofis that he Is going to have the Dem ocrats of both houses solidly with him. to say nothing of possible serious di- visions in his own party.
 Many House members believe the Ixsf l. -f.A and passed, although Chairman Hep burn of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee is stoutly oppos- cd to the measure. The argument against the bill. by which most store Is set, is that 1t gives the Interstate Commerce Commission practically leg islative power over railway rates. and that this power would be absolute and Irresponsible. as it could not be re- viewed by the courts. Whatever the outcome every lawyer in Congress con- fesses 1t is a big and momentous ques- ton.
 What President Roosevelt said about 1t in the outset of his message at the assembling for the present session. following his discussion of the rela- tions between labor and capital. Is as follows:
 When we come to deal with great corporations the need TOT the GoVern- ment to act directly is far greater than In the case of labor. because great cor porations can become such only by en- gazing in interstate commerce. and in terstate commerce is peculiarly the field of the general government.
 That interstate commerce is pecu- liarly the field of the general govern ment' finds little endorsement among Democrats and none among Republi- cans. The sentiment might have come from any Socialist or Populist and pass ed with silent ridicule. Coming from President just overwhelmingly elect ed, 1t would be amazing if there were not those who are ready to apologize for the expression as a lapsus caliml The evident intention being to say tha the regulation of interstate commerce to prevent extortion, etc.. was peculiar ly the field of the general government
 But the message proceeds from thi. point: