The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-01-13
THE PRESIDENTS NEW
FREIGHT RATE ISSUE
(Mail special 10 the Advertiscr.l

(Mal Special 10 the Adyertiser)
WASHINGTON, d. c, Dec. zt.The Congressional surprise
o present has been the boachng of
Commerce regulation OF freight rates which President Roosevelt
lis earnestly amponing Dull and interesting the topic
might the reader the legislative situation in which
personalities ptted against each other and in which the
President and Congress may become vigorously involved make
o absorbing concern Primarily the question is over cenerng in
body probably of special judges the right what
lis and equitable freight and also to give that the
power o enforce its decisions.
days before the converting of Congress- of the Pres
den callers inquired whether there to be much OF interest
during the winter legislation that he would He replied
that there would be- in all probability little
He hoped Congress would legislation in accord with his
on that
6" do not want to say what that is just now the President
added and the conversation directed other AS
would probably be treated his then forthcoming message thu
confidential document the proprey Presidents
scrvat:cn will be realized
The President had in mind the
regulation of freight 1t needless explain what an
question President himself has all along fully
realized 1t involves ANNUAL transactions the extent of millions
upon millions of dollars and the well ordered adjustment of
less and businesses mention entire communities
The popularity of the Presidents recommendations has become
Immediately apparent Especially the Western States the people
almost universally sections pushing their Senators and
members of Congress get busy and they fail to do
good number of them will be left home when the elections
held two years from
The much of the House upon
sweeping legislation President
has virtually knded fire under them and they be doing
something Fhe railroads necessarily hostile altogether
the recommendations but they have good their
side and naturally with such interests involved will
insist full and complete consideration of legislation
that may be pressed Little has been heard of the railroad side
the propositions advanced 1t is not however, be doubted
they will be fully heard Nearly all the influential both
branches OF Congress have relations of less character
with the railroads in their vicinity This holds particularly
true Of the Senate.
two committees Interstate Commerce with
those topics have already been stirred by the Presidents
The chairman of the Senate Committee Mr.
Es, of West Virginia is himself railroad who has part
paed the construction of railroads and knows much
Congress about the operation such properties At first
he counseed the President slow but the President preferred
to follow his opinions with the result that Mr. Ens to
degree changed his attitude but to such extent favor
any legislation this session of Congress There have however,
been many urgent at that end OF the apo about
the regulation of freight The hoa headed leaders, like Sen
Allison Of Iowa. although determined that Congress shall
act hastily indicating that there must be preliminary action at
this session. looking forward to final legislation the next
his colleague Senator Dover with but brief service
rim the Senate thus far being worried seriously by the camo Of
his constituents for Congress regulate freight rates
In his committee Senator Ekins has very heads
Some OF her former of big states who keep
finger constantly the public pulse and know the political value
of prompt action when deep seated popular demand
The chairman of the House Committee is Colonel Pete" Hep
br1 of Iowa. veteran member who has been through
political crmmage He growing old public honos He
hardly enthusiastic about hasy legislation
Senator Ens but he and his Committee will be largely guided
Speaker general the House Just as Sen.
Ekns and his committee will be in guided
sentiment of little cotere of Senate leaders, who
largely from the general sentiment of that branch of Congress-
r The railroads already gathering their fight
and will strengthen themselves between and December
by possible that legislation that will be
orally around the Capitol that the fight must the
session of Congress- If will be the dominating subject
of half dozen other Congressional topics
d prominent in the public mind.
Tic President distinctly the champion of the people this
matter and his championship full of political possibilities Should
he win decided victory his popularity would be increased
there who prophey that his declarations about
accepting another term in 1908 would be than
against blow Congress might
become dominant of the 1906 campaign Democrats might
the There telling what of srug
gle suddenly precptated the national forum will take
+ ERNEST G. WALKER.
Co In %
Iagrmt. b Dated Oct 49,
IA, tavamoto Ktnuro 70 tJutcbtnson