The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-30
THE BACK TRACK.
Story that MT. Roosevelt Is not so keeE
 for Rate Legislation This Winter.

Story that MT. Roosevelt Is not so Keen for Rate Legislation This Winter. Wa shington Special to New York Herald.
 Another change has occurred in ad- )ministrative tactics regarding the rail- broad rate problem, and it comes on the heels of the news that there is to be a great conference of railroad managers and railroad lawyers here next week to endeavor to agree on bill that will be satisfactory to the trunk lines as well as to shippers.
 A week ago the President was full of the idea of having the matter set tied at this session of Congress, and 1t was reported from the White House that Attorney General Moody would prepare a bill which would embody his ideas and those of the President and that the administration would urge that this bill be passed this winter.
 But an entirely different story came from the White House today after the Cabinet meeting. This was that 1t was not the intention of the Presi- dent and his Cabinet to press on Con- gress an administration measure dealing with the railroad rate problem. because such a measure would bo doomed to defeat.
 This is a ligtning like change. The announcement is now made that the President and the Attorney General opinions and that the Attorney Gene ral will only give his advice to those members of Congress who desire it.. It Is also said that the Attorney Gene ral has already talked with members who desired to discuss the rate prob lem with him.
 This is not only a radical departure from the program. but it Is a change from former methods of the President. When the antitrust legislation was before the last Congress the bills were agreed to by the President and the leaders of Congress and they were drawn by Attorney General Knox. The program as arranged by the President went through without a single change, and the reason for 1t was that the rail- roads got what they had been asking for for several years. the repeal of the criminal clause for granting rebates and giving secret rates.
 Senatorial sensitiveness has. of course. had something to do with the decision of the administration to hold Its hand in the preparation of a bill of its own. but the controlling reason. Ol COuISP. IS lHe meeting WHICH HdS been arranged between the railroad men and the shippers to be held here next week.
 It is said that nearly all the trunk lines and great systems will be rep resented, Great things are expected from this conference. The railroad men will be prepared to meet tho ship pers' national body as represented by E. P. Bacon, of Milwaukee, and other organizations interested In having the power to establish rates given to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
 The railroads want a bill which will legalize pooling. The shippers want a bill which will not permit the Inter- state Commerce Commission to estab- fish rates on complaints and proof that the rate Is excessive, review to be had before the United States courts Whether these interests can be got ten together the conference next week will determine. It has been intimat. ed that the shippers would be willing
 to have pooling clause put into theil bill If they could obtain authority fol | the Interstate Commerce Commission
 to establish and change rates.
 If these two widely separated inte | rests can get together on a bill it i!
 likely that there will be legislation thii
 winter whether the administration
 presents a bill or not. because witt | the railroads and the shippers botl
 for a measure there would be almos