The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-23
CLASH HAS COME.
Republican Members of Elkins' COM
uittee Hopelessly Divided.

Washington. Nov 23.-Ralroad rate
making is being considered by the SEN
ate committee on interstate commerce
but 10 am informal way, as no measure
has set been presented TO the commit
tee upon which it can base its action.
Views have been expressed by several
members which indicated sharp oil
vision as far as the s1tuatlon mas de-
Veloped. 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. lit seems to be quite well under
stood that three Republicans and
enough Democrats favor such iegisia-
ton to insure a alternating Oil be
ing reported.
Informal discussions among Repubh-
can members of the committee snow
that apprehension is felt that If bill
should be reported by Republicans ana
Democrats against the wish of a ma
jority of the Republican members, it
would create a division in the party
that Will work disaster i'm the future
The Republicans who favor rate
making legislation assert that the way
to avoid a rupture is to support con-
servative measure in line with the rec
concentrations of the president. some
OF the opponents of a bill giving the
commission power over rates express
the hope that when the views of the
president have been set forth an agree
ment can be reached by the Repubh-
cans upon a bill which can be reported
and passed without much friction.
At future meetings each member Of
the committee viii be given an oppor-
tunity to state his views in regular or
der.
Senator Fora l1er expressed the opinion
that it would be sufficient to meet the
present situation if the interstate com
nerce commission should be authorized
to take cognizance Of complaints, bring
suits to enforce the laws in the Unit
ed States courts and that all district
attorneys be empowered TO prosecute
such cases Senator DOiliver said he
believed that the movement for control
of rates had progressed to such an eX-
tent that legislation short Of giving
some tribunal OF the government such
power would not be satisfactory. Other
members of the committee expressed
opinions upon various phases Of the
proposed legislation. but Efnite decla-
IA lions were generally withheld.
Senator Newlands said:
q have no doubt that a measure for
railroad regulation. providing for the
prompt determination Of freight rates
where disputes arise between shippers
and communities on the one hand, and
the carriers on the other, win be passed
a the coming session. But I look for
prolonged consideration, both in the
committee and the senate, and the pub
lie viii probably grow impatient over
the delay
Individually. I believe in comprehen-
sive action on the whole question Of
transportation. by means of q. national
incorporation act. covering the inc0r-
poration of new companies. as we'll as
the consolidation of old. guarding strict
" against capitalization, prefer
ences. rebates and determinations, and
compelling an automatic but gradual
reduction in rates as the total business
of the country increases, by a limita-
fion of dividends.
Such legislation would MT the rail-
roads out Of politics state and national,
and would not interfere with the in
itiative and enterprise which have given
us the best railroad system in the
world
1--WE should do away with the absurd
ity of permitting the states to charter
carriers for interstate commerce. Three
fourths of the transportation of the
country is interstate. and as interstate
commerce is clearly instructed by orr
constitution to the national government,
it is illogical that forty-five lesser SOW
ereignties should create the machines
that are to do the business Of the great
err sovereignty"