The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-28
Platform Which Had Far Reach
ing Effects Is Coming Into
It's Own. e. ..
FOR RATE REFORM AND
REVISION OF TARIFF
Changes Likely to Be Made at a
Special Session of Con-
gTess.
BY w. w. Jermane,

Washington, Dec. 2s.-The "Iowa
1dea,' which was so severely attacked
by organization republicans within and
without that state, and was finally over
ridden at home by decisive vote in
state convention, is today having its
innings. The Iowa platform of 1901, it
will be recalled, proposed two specific
remedies for the trust evils which were
then commanding such general, atten-
ton. These remedies have now become
republican issues, and toward securing
their acceptance the energies of the ad-
lninistration are now bent.
The first definite proposal of the Iowa
platform was that legislation should be
enacted to put stop to discrimination
in railroad charges, under system, OF
there should be such modification in
tariff schedules as might be required to
prevent their afording "a shelter to
monopoly
Drove Henderson Out.
1t was this "Iowa Idea,' nominally
at least. which drove the Writ uous Hen
derson into laying down his commits
sion as speaker of the house. 1t was
this declaration which another republi-
can representative. from that state de-
clared to be g dirty lie The stand
pletely that they forced Governor Cum
Minis to run on a platform highly OBJ
noxious to him. In short. the reaction
in Iowa against the liberalizing tenden.
cy which was showing itself, proved
most sweeping. But today conserva-
tive leaders are coming to recognize
that the safety Of the national party
and It's continued hold on the confidence
of the country, depends on it's progress
Sive action along these two lines.
Delay in Legislation.
The idea Of an extra session of con,
gress In the spring finds little favor in
congress. Nor is there a prospect of
much affirmative legislation now. The
argument which is chiefly quoted in
opposition to the spring session. is that
not enough time will elapse between
now and The early summer for the prop
er hearing and investigation Of such
momentous questions.
But there is strong and apparently
growing support for an extra session, IN
the autumn, in order that sometime
try is again in the heat of congress
sional campaign. The next eight months
would give about the right period fol
such inquiries. Called in special SEES
sion, congress could apply itself to these
two great subjects, and would have 6
chance to demonstrate what the republi
can policies in connection with then
were. This is the more probable, pro
gram. The president is likely to >bt
persuaded to abandon his desire for {
spring session, and the extreme stand
patters their plan for delay until thu
regular session Of December, 1905.
Press for Settlement.
Many phases Of these questions pres
for settlement. Railroad accidents
quite as much as railroad rates: are at
tracing public attention and inviting
congressional scrutiny. In the tariff
and revenue laws may be found room
for many corrections Of detail. 1t i
unlikely that the attorney general AM
the secretary of the treasury will 81
straighten out the drawback situation
that 1t will not need some new legisla
ton.
Then, the proposed removal of tn
tax on alcohol used in the arts appear
in a stronger position than ever before
and it would be surprising if anothe
congress should expire without real &C
complishment in this line.
This is an old question upon whic
some new light has recently come
Everybody agrees that it is contrary t
public policy to load the alcohol use
In the manufacture Of hat, with a ia
of $1.1O a proof gallon, which is ofte
So g. wine gallon. The only disput
over freeing it has concerned the feas
bility of accomplish hing this withou
frauds on the treasury. The interna
revenue bureau has been quietly cor
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