The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-29

inc anv further powers to the interstate commerce
commission. We refer to the current opinion OF the
Pioneer Press, which is the spokesman Of the OPPOSE
ton in the northwest and every day or two sounds
q: solemn warning against the dangers of President
Roosevelts program. The P. P. shudders to think
what business catacysm to follow such leg1s-
lation. ~ ~. +" .-. s.re: - ~@ =.
It was not always thus. Barely four years ago
the Pioneer Press voice crying in the wilder
ness procaiming to the world and to congress that
rate legislation was comparatively necessary
Granting increased powers to the commerce
/ commission seemed then to the P Z. an imminent
and burning question - At that time Governor Van
SAINT just started his campaign against the North
ern Securities company, and the Pioneer Press with
a polite sheer at the futity of such efforts, from
day day explained that consultations Of railroads
could not be stopped. It use trying TO pre-
serve competitions said the P P, and the only way
protect the public thru government regulation
Of rates. 5&.[ E /. ~ . Es@z>2s -. 5e.s
The Pioneer Press has changed it's mind or, at
least it's expressed opinions. It is trying hard to
prove that the Pioneer Press Of 1901 mistaken,
and threatening the liberties and prosperity OF
the nation and it worries almost daily over the
disasters that will come to commercial world
from rates regulated blythe government. To show
how completely the paper has changed its front,
The Journal takes the liberty to quote from q
double column editorial the Pioneer Press Nov
%, 1901, which said IN part: =xsss.' z.*zs
The concentration ii tie hands Of few persons Of
snd
Of great railroad systems in other sections has put
it in The M to Levy ae
nous traffic which passes over their lines It is useless
to 9a o a. 6s Is i hs
to % IT the fact that they
sa y tets 81 nfe
% TopG Be- If the I
subject only to the reyeT Of the eGarts as as
restrain the railroads from making any increase to
present rates. and if the commission should find that
return from capital would have power to reduce
them accordingly So that have in the exercise
fectual Restraint upon any increase Of rates and a
sure guarantee for their gradual reduction. e.
That sounds reasonable, somehow, but it is all
wrong according to the Pioneer Press Of 1905. The
Pioneer of 1901 possessed with the idea
that it returned to the attack Nov. &c. and said:
''As it is clearly impossible to prevent the in
dividual owners of railroad from purchasing, as
individuals controlling interest in another, all
efforts expenditures to this end time, zeal and
money wasted. A far effective way is to invoke
the constitutional power of congress- It will cost nc
money and very little effort to from that body
legislation which would give the Interstate commerce
commission such enlarged powers Of control and regu
sations as would prevent the dreaded abuse Of the
new form Of consolidation in community Of owner
I Ship s;s. s%z%.z-s- .& " ~ - =: sl=.t.-
i . And Nov. 3d. 1901, the Pioneer. Press said:
.sThe imminent and burning question Of the day
is to make the power OF congress effective in larger
# government control" r.
Tt is still Gan imminent and burning question. !
The Pioneer Press did not succeed in getting it set
tied in 1901 and seems to have spent all it's zeal tx
no purpose this crisis Of The conflict it has los
all desire for 9 larger government control. Now
:: who has been talking to the Pioneer Pressf .