The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-12-15
They Fear an Attack From
the White House.
PRESIDENT RAISES ISSUE
Chief Executives Recommendation
Anent Interstate Commerce Com
mission is Causing
Apprehension.

A Washington special says: En-
largement OF the powers of the inter
state commerce commission is one OF
the questions which will be pressed
vigorously al the present session OF
CONGRESS. 1t can be said that in the
mind of President Roosevelt no prob
lem more important than this to all
the people of the country is likely to
engage the attention OF congress this
winter.
In conference with members Of both
the senate ana the house of represen-
tatiyes, the president has emphasized
the arguments he advanced in his mes
sage in favor of an extension OF the
powers of the interstate commerce
commission. With several members
he discussed the subject Friday,
earnestly advocating the recommenoa-
tions contained in his message. 10
two paragraphs in the message he has
directed particular attention. In a
talk with Representative Graf, Of 1lli-
nois, he indicated these points OF the
message:
Above all else We must strive to
keep the highways Of commerce open
to all on equal terms; and to do this
it is necessary to put complete stop
to all rebates.
| do not believe that, as fair secur-
ity to shippers. the commission should
be vested with the power, where CIV
en- rate has been challenged and after
full hearing, found to be unreasonable.
to decide, subject to judicial review,
what shall be reasonable rate to take
it's place; the ruling Of the commits
sion to take effect Immediately and to
obtain until it is reversed by the court
of review.
Until 1897 the interstate commerce
commission exercised the power to
regulate railroad freight rates, but the
supreme court then decided that under
the law the commission had no such
authority. Western members of con-
gress, especially, have urged On behalf
of their constituents, that the power
recommended by the president be con-
ferred by law on the commission.
They have told the president tina. no
question is of greater importance to
the people than this, and that they
really are more interested in it than
they are in the proposed revision OF
tn tariff. The president is in entire
agreement with this view and proposes
to exert his influence to bring about
consideration of the subject at the
present session.
Trusts Grow Apprehensive.
Three possible reasons for the pres
ent demoraliZed condition Of the stock
market are talked of in washington.
The first is the inflated values Of many
stocks from which it IS claimed, has
resulted a natural reaction; the Sec
ond is the recent interesting tactics Of
4uSudS a. AoWoSl1, ~ ASooLSAA c%ao
the third, to which the most signifi-
cance is attacheS apparently, is the
presidents recommendation in his an
nual message for an increase in the
powers of the interstate commerce
commission.
The persons who put forward this
latter view say that the sig fnanclers
of the country are really apprehensive
of proceedings inimica- to their inter
ests as result of the presidents attt-
tude, and that the panic in stocks is
the natural and logical result.
Neither the president nor Mr.. Cor
telyou these same men assert, made
any promises to the trusts of immun'
ity from molestation cf any kind at
tendant on their gorgeous contribu-
tions to the republican campaign fund
in the recent contest, but other repub-
licans, so high in the councils Of the
party that their assertions carried
much weight, did make such prom
ises and the trust interests relied upon
them