Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-03
UNNECEssARY PEssIMIsM.

Former Senator Chandler Of New
Hampshire is pessimistie in regard to
proposed legislation for the regulation
OF railroad rates. He fears that either
nothing will be done at the coming ses.
sion Of congress or that IL anything Is
done IL will give more to the railroads
than to the people. He thinks that "the
simple proposition Of the president will
be so overlaid with qualifications as to
be worthless, or the bill will be so
crowded with additions justly objection
able or Of doubtful utility as to make its
passage through both houses impos-
sible." So strongly is Mr.. Chandler i'm
bued with this pessimistic spirit that he
seems even to fear that President Roose.
welt may be Influenced to alter his views
in regard to rate regulation.
1t seems to us that the New Hamp-
shire statesman is unnecessarily appre-
hensive and that he is not benefiting the
cause to which he is unquestionably
friendly by such uttennces as he has
given to the public. Everybody realizes
that the policy which Mr.. Roosevelt ad-
vocates cannot be achieved without a
most determined fight The opposition
TO 1t is very formidable, The concerted
power of the railroads Is enormous in
its influence, not only in congress but
also with the people, and 1t is being ex-
erted in every direction where 1t is ex-
pected to count. Its hold upon congress
is still exceedingly strong, but it may
be doubted II 1t will prove to be as po-
tent in the 1fty-ninth as in the last con-
gress. There has been a great deal done
within the past year to enlighten the
public mind on the subject of railway
rate regulation and there is very good
reason to believe that this has increased
sentiment in support of the policy urged
by Mr.. Roosevelt Congress will give
heed to this. Even in the senate there
are men who are showing for the first
time a disposition to look favorably
upon the public demand for rate-making
legislation, recognizing the fact that
such legislation is sooner or later in
evitable. The bulwark of the railroads,
as Mr.. Chandler points out, is still in the
senate, and in that arena the battle for
the people must be fought, but there is
reason to believe that the contest there
will not be without practical result.
Possibly in the impending fight the peo-
pie may not get all they ask, but some
progress, there can be no doubt, will be
made and whatever gain is made will
be permanent.
Mr.. Chandler says the railroads are
getting in their money and work and
free passes everywhere, while very little
is being done on the side of the people.
1.-THE fight will be between organized
corruption and unorganized helpless
ness" This indicates an inadequate es-
Innate of the weight of public senti-
ment. The very fact that the railroads
are doing what Mr.. Chandler alleges is
creating or strengthening feeling in
favor of the proposed legislation. Their
course is furnishing convincing testi-
mony as to the desirability of such leg
islation. Perhaps the note of apprehen-
sion sounded by Mr.. Chandler may
prove serviceable in arousing the people
to greater activity in support of the
president, but we are inclined to think
that more would be gained by taking
less pessimistic view of the situation
and presenting to the people a more en-
couraging outlook. So far as President
Roosevelt is concerned, there is not the
least reason to doubt that he will be
found firmly standing by the position
taken in his last annual message regard
ing rate regulation.