The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-14

Presidents Recommendation Con-
corning Freight Rates May
Not be Pressed This Session.
HARDWOOD IN WASHINGTON
Will Pledge to Mr.. Roosevelt
the Support Of Twenty-six
Thousand T. T. a. Men.

From Our Regular Corrcspondcnt.)
WASHINGTON, p. c.. December a.
II is probable that Congress-. despite tho
wishes OF President Roosevelt, Will not
attempt TO carry out at this session his
recommendation that the Interstate COM
merce Commission be given power to
regulate freight rates 1t Is known that
the President wishes action to DO taken
at once, but 1t Is assorted that the oppO-
sition to such legislation within Repubi-
can ranks Is so strong that delay Is abb
solutely necessary, In order to give him
time to collect his forces and make his
fight.
Tho President has been told by some
Of the most prominent men In the Re-
publican party that 1t Is going to be diff
ficult TO get the Republicans in line In
favor Of such legislation. Sena Ell
kins, chairman OF the Committee on
Commerce, had q long talk with Presl-
dent Roosevelt recently. and listened to
all the chief executive had to say con-
corning the wisdom Of such Legislation.
but 1t cannot be done at this session.
said the Senator, whose fortune OF many
millions is chiefly in railway property.
Senator Ell<ins has declared, however,
that he favors empowering the govern
mcnt to fix the rates which the roads
shall charge the public for service. Nat
,irally, the declaration has created COM
ment. S53s
Extra Session Next Fall.
1t is not difficult to find members OF
Congress who openly declare they are
opposed. to such. legislation as the Prcsl-
dent proposes, as being radical, social
istic and subverslve of tho principles on
which our government ls founded.
Doubt is heard expressed as to the con-
sttutionelity OF such a law.
a. al ~ "a r1,hn
arc opposed to enactii,g a law like the
one proposed by tho President ~ his
message, will fight against a caucus for
the purpose Of lining up Republican or
Democrats on the ques ton. There Is no
doubt that the ma jority of the Democrts
In Congress favor legislation OF this
character. and possibly majority of i he
Republicans do also. Quite naturally
opponents of the measure object to any
action which might tie their hands. u
IL said the President wishes to find out
the stength OF the sentiment among the
Republicans In favor Of the law before
he indicates whether he wants a aucus
called for the purpose Of having the
members bound.
tits believed now that an extra session
next fall Is almost assured. The Presi-3
dent recognizes that there Is really not
time at the present session for the re-
vision OF the tariff and for the enact
ment Of such Legislation regulating the
m ilways as he deems necessary. It lis
believed he will call an extra session \ for
early next fall and that in his special
message, he will call for the enactment
of legislation revising tariff schedules,
and for the passage OF a law regulating
freight rates. It is not to be understood
thatSthe President has yet been DEF eated
In his wishes for: tariff revision and Tor
No O
come off 1t has only been postponed
II is sure to come, and 1t is believed that
next fall is the date he has selected for
the pitched battle.
I Has Support Of ~. p g. M LEM
r,o1onel John IS. Harwood, n Of Richmond.
chairman Of the Leg islative Commlttee 81
the National Travellers Protective Asso-
ciat lion, appeared before Il subcommittee
Of the Judiciary Committee OF the House
this afternoon, in behalf OF the Oil to
amen the bankruptcy law so as TO IN.
clude ,york1nen, clerks, travelling sales
men and city statesmen among the pre-
ferred creditors when g firm goes il1 10
bankruptcy The amendment to the law
provides that the salaries Of the, classes
Of employees mentioned, to the amount OF
three hundred dollars. which nave neen
earned three months priorAto the 1nsti,
tuition Of bankruptcy proceedings, sllall
be paid from any assets prior to de tli IA
ton OF bankruptcy. .5 !,
Colonel HARDWOOD made m cStcnqed
statement before the subcommittee ana
was given close attention. lie SAID atter
the herring that he had little doubt ene
subcommittee, at least, would RECOMMENDS
the passage Of the amendment
Colonel HARDWOOD and :. W. Crandall,
OF st. Louis, chairman Of the National
Rlilwny Committee OF the I, ~ AZ, nave nave
an engagement to see the President ilt
noon tomorrow. They will assure him
that in his efforts to have the. consress
enact : a law empowering the Interstate
Commerce Commission to .regulate freight
les he has the hearty support Of the
as 900 men who compose the Travellers
Protecuvo Association of America. Col-
onel 1Iarwood snld the drurnm liners were q Z
unit in support Of the law as propos's.u'
and that the 25,0l0 men composing thG
membership Of the United Commercial
Travellers were as strongly for IT.