Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-11-10
DEMAND POWERTO MAKE RATES
Interstate Com Convention Finds
No Other Rem for Existing Evils.

A~o ~ "
Ou' Of the clash between opposing
delegates to the interstate commerce
law convention, in Chicago, which was
~factionally divided, there developed
two distinctive platforms relating to
railroad rate legislation.
The regular" convention, champion
Of the utterances Of President Roose-
welt, embodied In n resolution the ideas
of the chief executive regarding regu-
lation of railroad rates and determined
to urge upon Congress the enactment
Of legislation which Will give power to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to regulate unjust or discriminating
rates.
The so-called trump" convention,
headed by David NJ. Parry, of Indian
apolis, and made up of men who re-
fused to pledge themselves to the
Roosevelt plan, adopted resolutions ad-
hitting the existence Of railroad rate
evils, calling upon Congress to enforce
existing laws against violations Of the
same and to provide necessary legisla-
ton. but emphatically protesting
against the investiture Of authority
upon any appointive body such as the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The second days session of the In
terstate Commerce Law convention
considered resolutions setting forth its
approval Of President Roosevelt and
urging broad legislation. Speeches
were made by many dcnouncing the
railroad and trust magnates. and urg-
ing that transportation facilities be re-
stored to the control of the people.
Noyes Kendall of Colorado says the
railroads have converted Denver into
a m lung hospital and glob%e-trotters'
station" He urged immediate action
in the rate question. making the asser-
ton hat Denver's industries had been
ruined by railroad discrimination in
favor Of other points.
Delegate J. D. Doherty won ap-
plause by d%enouncing the Senate as a
most obstinate body before which the
question must 60" Chairman !. II.
Mccall of Los Angeles, Of the resolu-
ton committee, submitted his report,
and said:
THE control of interstate commerce
to-day is in a dozen corporations. These
corporations are controlled by a dozen
e This power should be restored
to the people"
Ex-Governor Vansant OF Minnesota
characterized the 'bolters" as goats
and called the attention Of the dele
gates to the unanimity Of the country
on the rate question. Mccall cited de-
cisions to the effect that the empower
ing Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to regulate rates is con-
stitutional, one Of the rights Of gov
eminent.
After much discussion a report was
submitted by Mccall agreeing with
President Roosevelt that the only con-
stitutional and effective method for the
supervision Of railroad rates, classif-
cations and practices is by amending
the interstate commerce act so as to
provide that the Interstate Com
merce Commission should be vested
with power, where a given rate has
been challenged and after full hearing
found to be unreasonable, to decide,
subject to judicial review, what shall
be a reasonable rate to take Its place,
the ruling Of the commission to take eff
feet Immediately, and to obtain unless
and until It is reversed by the court
Of review, 1t was adopted. A fund
Of $1,000 was subscribed to further
the work Of the convention. E
A summary of the platform adopted
by the convention which stood by the
demand Of e. p. Bacon, of Milwaukee,
chairman Of the Interstate Commerce
Law League, that President Roose-
velt's position be unqualliedly sup
ported, was as follows:
Congratulations to President Roosevelt
for his stand relating to rate legislation,
commentator to the House of Repre-
sentatives for cooperating with the
President, n urging Lhat the interstate
commerce commission be vested with
power to fix substitute rates for any rail-
road rates successfully challenged, said
rates to prevail until reversed by a court
Of review.
In the so-called trump" convention,
Of which n. w. Mcleod, OF st. Louis,
was chairman, the platform makes a
uSSldI ~ VI uhloSoIiohSu AaASh III
the wisdom and integrity Of President
Roosevelt in dealing with public ques-
tons; recognition of existing evils con-
nected with transportation. interests;
demands rigid enforcement of existing
laws, which, II inadequate, should be
amended to provide effective relief;
expresses dissatisfaction with the In
tcrstate Commerce Commission and
protests against granting it additional
authority. ".
AS II result Of the diametric opposi-
ton which arose among the delegates
there developed the organization of a
new national body to rival the Inter-
state Commerce Law League. The In
terstate Commerce Law League re-
appointed q. p. Bacon of Milwaukee
as chairman OF the executive commit
tee and authorized the continuance Of
the organization In It's present form.
The sum Of $4,000 was subscribed
for propaganda work and a committee
was appointed to visit President
Roosevelt to inform him of the action
of the convention.
Interesting News Items.
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