The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
FALSE REPORTS OUT.
We're That Executive Had Mod
flied His Views.
HemenWay, OYerstreet and Cur
tbs Say People Are Aroused.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 1A-During
the summer the public was entertained
with articles appearing from time to
time in various newspapers to the ef-
feet that the views of President Roose-
welt on the railroad rate question had
materially changed and that when the
session OF. congress opened it would be
found that he was not nearly as much
in earnest as he had heretofore been
reported to be. Such articles usually
went on to say how the sentiment
throughout the country was changing
in favor of the railroads. and predicted
that no action would be taken by con
gress These predictions have scarcely
been verified. President Roosevelt has
come out more strongly than ever in
favor Of the passage of some bin that
will make the government the deciding
factor between shippers and carriers in
the matter Of railroad rates, and he is
receiving hearty support from members
of congress, of both parties and both
houses. In fact the situation from the
railroad standpoint seems to be gTaVer
today than ever before and the educa-
tiOnal campaign which they conducted
at great expense and through numerous
agents seems to have wholly failed to
produce the results anticipated. Last
week the American Hardware Manufac-
turers' association in session in this city
passed a resolution cordially endorsing
''the plans for railway regulation pro-
posed by President Roosevelt and rec
Ommend that such railway rate regula-
ton be enacted by congress at its next
session The passage of this resolution
was preceded by considerable wire pull
ing although not of the kind reported
IN the press, as some of the most active
" engaged in opposing rate regulation,
who we're reported as being here Tor
that purpose, were not here and those
who were here took no part in the dis
cussion. At the Joint banquet of the
National Hardware association and the
American Hardware Manufacturers as
ISOLATION, Representative Burton OfOhiO
was enthusiastically applauded when he
declared that there should be no re
bates granted to any favored merchant
or manufacturer, that terminal charges
should be made equal to all and that
there should be general lowering Of
rates.
A gentleman who is strongly OPP
nosed TO the presidents policy and
who has toured the country this sum
Iner attending conventions of various
sorts to ascertain the sentiment on this
subject, told me that while he was
satisfied the conservative business ele-
lnent in this country was opposed to
government supervision of railroad
rates he was surprised at the deter
mination shown by President Roose-
welt. "I was told by some gentlemen
who saw the president today" he said,
that the president was absolutely
rabid on the subject, and that he de-
nounced the railroads in the strongest
terms imaginable. He has made up
his mind that he is going to get rail-
road rate legislation out of congress
this year" I quote the above as an
evidence that the president has not
weakened, inspired reports to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
Senator HemenWay of Indiana, who
i'm frr q fer 10
g sees no reason why a measure which
will correct the evils complained of in
connection with the railroad rates
should not pass the senate at this ses-
sion. Without committing himself as
to the specific form in which it should
take, Senator Hemenway said he was
willing to subscribe to the general
principle Of regulation.
Representative Overstreet. also OF
Indiana, says the house will certainly
pass a comprehensive measure, and
believes the senate viii do likewise
He knew the president believed in and
would advocate the enactment Of a
law dealing with the general principle
of rate regulation, but did not think
the president was welded to any par
ticular form of bill 1--WE all want
remedial legislation" said Mr.. Over
street, land we expect to get it, but
just what it will be I am unable tc
predict %
Representative Curtis. of Kansas
says that there is no doubt as tC
where the people of his state stand or