Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-23
Foraker Proposes that District Attorneys
Prosecute Suits Brought by Commission.
'lLVeR SAYS THIS is INSUFFICIENT
Iowa Man Advocates Law that Will Give
Some Tribunal Real Power
SITUATION ALARMS THE REPUBLICANS
Anxiety that Majority Members of
Committee Get Together and Re-
port Bin without Ala of
Democrats.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22-Railway rate
making was again considered by the senate
committee on interstate commerce today
but in an informal way. as no measure
has been presented to the committee upon
which 1t can base it's action Views were
expressed by several members which in
dicated a sharp division as far as the
situation has developed. There is the
further indication that a majority Of the
committee will favor a measure giving the
interstate Commerce commission more
power, which means in some form control
over rates. 1t seems TO be quite well un-
derstood that three republicans and enough
democrats favor such legislation to insure
a rate-making bill being reported.
Anxious to Avoid Rupture.
Informal discussions among republican
members of the committee show that ap-
prehension is felt that il a bill should be
reported by republicans and democrats
against the wish OF a ajority OF the re-
publican members it would create a divi-
sion in the party that will work disaster
in the future. The republicans who favor
rate making legislation assert that the way
to avoid a rupture is to support a con-
servative measure in line with the recon-
mendations Of the president Some of the
opponents OF a bill giving the commission
power over rates expressed the hope, after
the adjournment OF the meeting today, that
when the views of the president have been
set forth an agreement can be reached by
the republicans on a bill which can be
reported and passed without much friction.
Views of Foraker and DoIliver.
At future meetings beginning tomorrow.
each member of the committee will be
given an opportunity to state his Views
in regular order. During the discussion
today Senator Foraker expressed the opin-
ion that it would be SUFFICIENT TO meet the
present situation If the Interstate Com
merce commission should be authorized to
take cognizance of complaints, bring suits
to enforce the laws in the United States
courts and that all district attorneys be
empowered to prosecute such cases. Sen
ator Dolver said that he believed that
the movement for control of rates had
progressed to the extent that Hesitation
srhort of Citing some tribunal st the gov
eminent such power would not be satiBfac-
tory other members of the committee ex-
pressed opinions upon various phases of the
proposed legislation but definite declara-
tions were generally withheld.
NewIands ON Corporations.
Senator Newlands after the COMMITTEES
adjourned today, said:
l have no doubt that a measure for rail-
road legislation providing for the prompt
determination of rates where disputes arise
between shippers and communities on one
hand and the carriers on the other, VIII
be passed the coming session. But look
for prolonged consideration both In COM
mittee and the senate and the public Will
probably grow impatient over the delay.
individually, | believe In comprehensive
action on the whole question Of transporta
tiOn by means of a national Incorporation
act, covering the Incorporation of new com
panies as well as the consolidation OF old,
guarding strictly against over-capitallza-
ton, preferences. rebates and discrimna-
tions and compelling an automatic but
gradual reduction i'm rates, as the total
business Of the country increases by a
Limitation of dividends
Such legislation would put the railroads
out of politics state and national, would
protect the interests of investor and ship
per alike, and would not Interfere with the
initiative and enterprise which have givO9
us the best railroad system In the world
We should do away with the absdrdity
of permitting the states 10 charter carriers
for Interstate commerce. Three-fourths or
4 the transportation OF the country IL inter
state and as interstate commerce Is clearly
entrusted by our constitution 20 the IVA =
tional government IT is illogical that forty
five lesser sovereignties should create the
machines that are to do the business for
the greater sovereignty.