The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-10
PRESIDENT BENT
ON RATE REFORM
Rockwell Will Continue to Press
for Regulation of Railroad
Tariffs.
WILL
TOUR THE COUNTRY
Subject Is Beginning to Overshad,
ow the Matter of Tariff Re-
vision at the Capital.
BY w. w. Jermane.

Washington, Dec. 10.-Representa-
tive Mann of Chicago is likely to be
appointed chairman of the subcommlt-
tee, which it is proposed to appoint
from the house committee on interstate
and foreign commerce, to 60 about the
country next summer making special IN
quiry into the need for legislation to IN
crease the power of the interstate com
MERGE commission, in accordance with
recommendations in the president s
message. At meeting of the full
committee yesterday this plan was dis
cussed and quite generally favored.
Chairman Hepburn thinks it will be
adopted.
The subject of stronger federal super
vision of railroads, which includes con-
troll Of rebate practices and regulation
Of rates, as we'll as compelling better
safety appliances, is becoming over
shadowing and Of paramount import
ance. 1t is now exciting more inter
est in Washington than the tariff re-
vision project.
White House Councils.
Every day some additional congress
men go to the White House to find that
the president is very insistent that this
subject be taken up in earnest at this
session and that a good start be made
toward accomplishing something, even
them all that he means what he said in
his message and that he considers this
subject of more pressing Importance
than any other now before congress or
the country.
Opponents 81 this legislation who at
first thought that it would be simple
matter to delay all progress by the old
and simple device Of hearings before
the full committee, now think that this
may NOT be entirely effective. The i'm
preston is gaining ground that some
legislation must eventually. be passed
.aRI that it is only a'squestion of what
shalf be the nature Of the compromise
4 between the railroads and the shipping
" inSeRests. This view IS responsible fol
S.le plan to have a section Of the house
committee which has the duty Of fran
ing the bill, go about the country aD(
get the ideas of both railroad men ant
shippers.
President in Earnest.
should aI d. be be- borne 'H in mind n0os agai,
that he is deeply in earnest. There i
no recommendation in his message tina
represents more emphatically his owl
individual thought and study. He is de
termined to devote his influence to sc
curing the passage of law in accord
ance with his recommendations. If i
is not accomplished at this session h
will press the subject in the next con
gress, and if not successful then, will
keep up his efforts to the end Of hi
administration.
Senators and house members fror
the middle west and far west who ma
not favor this legislation will certain
ly be brought into line for it by tn
intensity Of the president IS attitud.
They fear the effect of his advocac
and will hesitate to put themselve
dorses him and these members will nc
care to be placed on the defensiv
among their own constituencies.
In the last analysis the legislatio
will probably only be opposed by me
who represent those eastern state
where the railroads have a strong hol
and whose politics is not as open an
aboveboard as it is in the west.