The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-05-26
BIG FIGH COMING
IN THE LEGISLATURE
RAILROAD INTER
ESTS LINE UP MEMBERS ON
FREIGHT CARRYING CON
TEST-WlLLi INVOLVE
SEMAToRsHIP- P. ELKIN'S
ABILITY TO DELIVER COUNTRY
VOTES MAY WIN HIH
STRONG SUPPORT.

5ss y,ITTSBURG, Pa, May 25--LeglSte-
-aire nominees of both parties are al
ready being lined up in preparation
Ssr one of the greatest battles be-
) tween vested interests that has ever
Z been fought at Harrisburg. II is be
tween the railroad and the traction IN
aerssts Of the State, and involves the
Z repeal OF the special act of 1887 when
Z 9ofbias street railways from entering
the freight or express business
The Republican organizations OF the
slties of Philadelphia, Pittsburg and
Allegheny are said to have been al
ready lined UP on the side of the trac-
ton companies, and numerous sub
II alrH.an traction lines in the towns and
xnIrd class cities have been sounding
their legislative nominees to line them
M for the repeal of the obnoxious
law
While battles have been fought in
che past over the same proposition,
and the railroads have invariably
won out, principally through the in
aduence of Senator Quay, the situation
Is expected to be materially different
AT the next session, and tied up with
she fate of the repeating law may be
the election of a United States SEN
safnr-
While no authoritative statement
can be secured from any of the parties
at interest, it has been learned that
-Eofrn p Elkin, of Indiana, WHOSE boom
Tor the Senate to succeed Senator
Quay will no doubt meet with the bit
aerest kind of opposition from the
Pennsylvania railroad, and who is
= Fro,
1.hIses, may be supported by the inter-
esS that desire the repeal of the law
Eorbidding street railways to transport
freight
IN return for this support Mr.. Elkin
sEisI, 1t is understood, be able to deliv-
ger 80 the traction interests enough
{ country votes to insure the passage OF
che repeater. With the So votes from
philadelphia and Allegheny counties,
nut SO from outside need to be cor
rallied to insure passage OF the repeater
Sn The lower branch. Mr. El1ins
friends are said to control the organ
Izafions in enough counties to produce
:aztese votes.
President Gallery, of the Pittsburg
Railways Company, While unwilling
10 admit that his company was party
10 any such fight, expressed no sur
urisa when the matter was brought to
ms attention, and did not deny that
the Pittsburg Railways Company
might take hand. He explained that
1T was the special act passed by the
.egisIature of 'S7 that had cut the trac-
=sIo1, compares out of freight and ex-
aTess business, but pointed out the
Sact that some newly formed street
railways were operating under rail-
road charters.
From other sources it has been
learned that the lines are being strict
sy dawn for the coming contest. and
Chat the weakness the traction inter
esIs have in the past shown in get
=aag the votes of the country members
sr5u not be so much in evidence next
session. Nearly all the agricultural
districts are now being net-worked
-svIth trolley lines, and the advantages
OF these systems in delivering farm
produce and garden truck to market
ss-a1n express schedule is appreciated.