Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-27
AGAINST ELKINs BILL
Governor cumnins Writes an Article
In Which He Shows That the Ell
kins Measure Would Not Meet the
Exiqencies Of the Rate Situation.

kins Measure would Nos "ees .''e
Exieencies of the Rate Situation.
Des Moines Dec. Ex-Governor cum
minis does not believe that the scheme
which Senator Elkins is reported by
the papers to have evolved, for the es-
adjustment of a court to exercise our-
isdiction over and decide questions ar
Using under the interstate commerce.
commission, will be effective or Will
give the relief which is demanded by
the shippers and the people.
AS compared with the plan proposed
by President Roosevelt in his message
to yitalize the Interstate commerce
commission, itself, the Elkins scheme is
not worth serious consideration, If II
be as reported.
The governors views on the subject
have been elected by a railroad publ
cation called Freight" published In
New York City, which recently tele-
graphed him for his opinion of the Ell
kins proposition. 1t having been COM
monty known that the governor was
one of those who went to Washington
to urge the president to recommend to
congress an increase in the powers OF
the commission, the railroad people
who have been fighting the Quarles-
Cooper bill have been especially an
xious to know his opinion of the var
ious schemes proposed as substitute
therefor.
Governor Cummins' communication
to Freight in reply to it's request for
an expression of opinion, was as fol-
lows:
December Ii, 1904-Editor Freight
New York, N. ": Replying to your
telegram beg to say that the presi-
dents message relating to the extern
sion of the powers Of the interstate
commerce commission is both timely
and sound. 1t proposes to authorize
a commission which can act speedily
and without all the formalities which
attend regularly organized court, and
having the power, If necessary, upon
it's own initiative, to substitute a rate
for one found to be unreasonable or
unjust, and to make the rate thus sub
stituted operative Immediately.
If this be done it will afford some re-
lief to the shippers and localities suf-
fering from excessive or discrimina-
tive rates. / believe that the presidents
views are universally approved among
the people.
The bill. which, according to news
paper report, Is to be brought forward
by Senator Elkins, establishing a cir
cult court of interstate commerce to
take jurisdiction Of all matters arising
under the interstate commerce act
would. in my opinion, furnish no prac-
teal relief for the evils of excessive
and discriminating rates.
The examination of freight rate in
a court hampered by all the rules
which regulate the introduction of evil
dence. accompanied by the delays
which are common in such tribunals
attended with the cost which is Incl
dent to technical litigation, and follow
ed by no effective result until the SUI
preme court of the United States is
reached, will afford no remedy to the
business interests of the country.
To establish such court for the orr
ginal hearing of complaints as an an
swer to the demand WHICH the people
are now making is to keep the promise
to the ear and break it to the hope.
(Signed) A. B. CUMNINS.