Evening journal., 1905-11-17
ROOSEVELT STILL
AFTER RAILROADS
President is More Insistent
Than Ever For Rate
Legislation
CONGRESS EXPECTED TO SOON ACT
Bv William woln smith.

Washington, ID. c. Nov 17-During |
the summer the public was entertained (
with articles appearing from time TO
time IN various newspapers TO the effect
that the views OF President Roosevelt
on the railroad rate question had ma
torally 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 re-
ported TO be. Such articles usually
went on 10 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 bill that
viii make the government the deciding
factor between shippers and carriers
in the matter Of railroad rates and he
is receiving hearty support from mem-
bers of Congress, of both parties and
both houses
In fact the situation from the rail-
road standpoint seems TO be graver to-
day than ever before and the educa-
tional campaign which they conducted
at great expense and through numer-
Gus agents seems 70 have wholly failed
10 produce the results anticipated. Last
week the American Hardware Manu-
facturers' Association in session i'm
this city passed a resolution cordially
endorsing "the plans for railroad regu-
lation be enacted by Congress at its
next session" The passage OF this
resolution was preceded by consider
able wire pulling although not of the
kind reported i'm the press as some OF
the most actively engaged in opposing
rate regulation. who were reported as
being here for that purpose, were not
here and those who were here took no
part Ia the discussion.
AT the joint banquet of the National
Hardware Association and the Ameri-
can Hardware Manufacturers Associa-
tion, Representative Burton OF Ohio.
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 an and that
there should be a general lowering or
rates.
gentleman who is strongly opposed
to the Presidents policy and who has
toured the country this summer at
tending conventions of various sorts TO
ascertain the sentiment on this subject.
told me that while he was satisfied
the conservative business element i'm
this country was opposed to govern
mont supervision of railway rates. he
was surprised an the determination
shown by President Roosevelt Il was
told by some gentlemen who saw the
President to-day" he said. chat the
President was absolutely rabid on the
subject. and that he denounced the
railroads In the strongest terms inari
able. He has made up his mind that he
os going TO get railroad rate legislation
out Of Congress this year." I quote
the above as an evidence that the Presi-
dent has not weakened. inspired re-
ports TO the contrary Notwithstanding
Senator Hemerway, Of Indiana, who is
in town for few days. says he sees
no reason why a measure which will
correct the evils complained Of IN con-
nection with the railroad rates should
not PISS the Senate at this session
Without committing himself as to the
specific form In which 1t should take.
Senator Hemenway said he was Will
ing TO subscribe 10 the general princi-
pie OF regulation. Representative over
street. also OF Indiana. says the House
win certainly pass a comprehensive
measure. and believes the Senate viii
do likewise. He knew the President be-
lieved IN and would advocate the enact
ment OF a law dealing with the general
principle OF rate regulation, but did
not think>the President was welded 10
any particular form OF bill. 1--WE an
want remedial legislation" said Mr..
overstreet. "and we expect TO get 81.
but just what it viii be I am unable to
predict"
Representative Curtis Of Kansas, SAYS
that there is no doubt as TO where the
people OF his State stand on the ques-
ton. The President win find abund-
ant support among our people in his
endeavor TO get relief from the imposi-
ton OF the railroads" he said. The
oeiesaton from Kansas is practically
unanimous on this subject as we be-
..eNe something should be done 10 re-
AeFe enecfusily the condition that in