New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-22
TAFTON RATELAW CHANGE
THINKS Reform NEEDED.
Explains Presidents Proposals at
AEron, Ohio, Meeting.
IRy Telegraph to The Tribune,


Of the War Department the chief speaker
here this evening 1T mass meeting IN Connec-
ton with the State campaign. The meeting
drew an immense crowd. and the Secretary's
speech was warmly applauded.
In beginning Secretary Taft indicated the ma
tonal as well the State Importance of the pend
ing campaign in Ohio. He declared that the de-
feat OF Governor Herrfck would heralded as the
dawn Of new socialisuc Democracy significant
Of what was to happen in the next Congress and
Presidential elections. He said
The truth is perfectly apparent that Mr.. Bryan
IS gradually resumng control over the Democratic
parry. ana proposes to assume the aggressive in
controversy in which he hopes to array the poor
private property and freedom Of contract to Grip
pie the federal courts that are now such bulwark
IN Ihe defence of the constitutional rights of indi
railways, privately owned and maintained govern
nlent railways, and in every way to introduce
system OF paternaliSm leaning toward socialism.
dustrtal and social progress of this country.
- ms movement In favor Of government ownership
" 9aoIc utilities to include the commercial! rail-
Ioaqs Is not mere chimer2: it finds its beginning
IN the proposition for municipal ownership of street
Nct;IsIs ~ T Styoy 1uIlne o. ChiCaao oy tsayop
Mcclellan
Secretary Taft said that Tom L. Johnson, Of
Cleveland. known advocate of the single tax
system and Of government ownership OF public
utilities, was earnest supporter Of the Demo
cratic ticket IN Ohio and, in his belief. the triumph
Of that ticket would bring Organism and Johnson
ism TO the front the issues upon which we are
TO fight the next Presidential campaign" He con
tinued:
II is the purpose and always has been of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in the policies which he has recon
mended for adoption by Congress TO meet danger
political conditions by renedying the actual evils
which every one must recognize, and thus in
trenchIng ourselves against the assaults of So
cialism. the suppression OF individualism and the
instigation of class hatred based alleged injus
tice and abuses that do not exist
He has, therefore: been most active in the pro
and in the securing Of legislation aid in
I torCeLnenI he believes as every one must who
the most serious abuse Of the last decades has
between individual shippers and as between differ
ent localities. and. indeed in some instances, by
for the service Itself '''-' VIM ''''''--7
THE COMMERCE COMMISSION
In exhaustive discussion OF the present law
under which Interstate Commerce Commission
operates. Secretary Taft explained how railroad
rate questions were brought before the commission.
and. through the commission, before the courts He
indicated many Of the difficulties under which The
commission operates, Of which lead to rever-
sal OF the commissions orders by the courts He
said:
These results convinced those familiar with the
Law and anxious that it should operate effectively
changes necessary were first
vision authorizing the commission. in declaring a
rate to be unrea sonabe To declare at time
what a maximum reasonable rate and TO malls
that maximum: and, second, that the law should,
under proper penalty require obedience 10 the or
der Of the commission; and thus compel the carriers
treat the order with respect reservtng to
re 7 10 f L Siai S1JTarsede,s oT ff-a7 decree
The two short amendments to the present law I
have Just described ali that the President has
fe have 99 attempted to state as essential
effective Interstate commerce law BY max
ing such changes, which are just and necessary we
can put ourselves on solid ground to resist the
radical propositions OF Mr.. Bryan and his follow
ers who would take the railroads from private con-
troll and put them under government management.
Secretary Taft discussed objections to the
proposed changes in the Interstate Commerce law.
and added
II may readily be conceded that the great bulk OF
the rates reasonable both in and Of themselves
and in respect to the other rates but BY unTsas9n
be done, and when it is understood by the rail-
to be less and less.
NOT GOVERNMENT CONTROL
He maintained that such supervision as waz pro
posed was not taking the railroads out OF the
hands Of their owners and that it did not
approximate government ownership. He held that
the Interstate Commerce Commission could dispose
Of cases brought before it rapidly and Justly
the courts. saying:
The admitted truth is that the railroads T. the
and have thus ruined their competitors. and that
decade last past that veTT few railroads were ex
empt from It That giving rebates has ceased to
%he IL It vii retarn when Business grows dg
and competition between the railroads grows in
tense in case Of business depression, no one can
tell The evils of chief moment to-day are undue
discrimination between localities in rates and be
individuals not in rates but IN peculiar priv
leges The new amendments are framed to meet
both Of these abuses, well as rates excess in and
I do not look for any great revolution TO be eS-
fected by these amendments proposed by the PresI-
dent The present Interstate Commerce law has
done much good. As amended. il win do much
more good. This good VIII be apparent when after
the tribunal has been operating with its new pow
ers for number of years confidence in its ability
and fairness shall he felt by both shippers and
~atTxav men The rules laid down by the Supreme
Court for determining whether g rate IS reasonable
~ HE and the circumstances iustifying
as much force before the Interstate Commerce
C;ourfssion under the new law as under the old.
thrown about the interference with rates are not
srPected hv these amendments in any respect what
ever When one calmly examines me proposed
amendments they will be found TO be most con-
servative
Discussing Ohio State issues Secretary Taft cor
dfau, approved the administration of Governor
FIe-rlck and applauded him for his attitude toward
the temperance legislation framed in the Brannock
local option laws He discussed the charge OF
Governor Herricke opponents that he was sub
sarxient to George B. Cox and the Republican ma
chine Of Cincinnati He declared the charge was
g-svA one that It was new doctrine in Ameri-
90, noIitfcs that - man IS to be defeated because
=. tho character Of some Of those who vote for
ht, " He made it plain that he did not approve
vtoJ- of the Coz methods in Cincinnati, but main
+a,nsd that Governor Herrick should not be held
responsible fo- them
THE PLAYERS RECEIVE JOHN DREW.
John T,rew's election TO the presidency Of The
r,1a1o in succession to the late Joseph Jefferson
vas celebrated last night at the clubhouse Of that