The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-11
Aroused.

The Hon. CHARLES Il. TOWNSEND Of
Michigan. one Of the godfathers of the
railway rate scheme, gave the House,
the country and the railroads some in
formation which they all need. Why is
there such pother in the White House
and the House of Representatives about
the railroads? Mr. TOWNSEND tells.
Wish to say in conclusion. Mr.. Chairman, /
believe the people are aroused to this situation.
They believe that tho great railroad interests OF
this country have wA1ed powerful. and through
combinations and other devices have ovcrridden
the safeguards OF the people in many instances.
and arc able not only to nullfy tartn laws and to
make and break men and cities. but they have
entered into the realm OF politics and there have
exercised their powerful influence in attempting
10 shape legislation. Gentlemen may say this
measure Is the entering wedge OF anarchy which.
driven by the sledge OF public demand, will split
ssunder our present Industrial system and adopt
a communism In Its stead. II may be. II depends
upon the peoples representatives whether It is so
or not The great majority OF the people fair.
honest and intelligent. They are not asking that
any Injustice shan be done any interest In the United
States. But they insist and they will demand that
the creatures which they have licensed shall be
their servants, not their masters. This bill may
not be perfect. but friend OF the railroads. |
viii say TO you who oppose 1t because It goes too
far. you had better accept It. There will never
be day In the history OF this country when tho
people will ask less. To morrow they may demand
more. Let the railroads comply with this law
and voluntarily correc, any evils not covered By
tn hui and ID u1u le ,v.1 ut,
lie, them oppose It's Just provisions and they
wilI bat accumulate troubles against day OF judy.
ment."
As a member of the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Mr.
TOWNSEND believes that he speaks the
sentiment OF every member Of it, whether
Democrat or Republican, when he says
that "thc people have been patient and
long suffering and now are demanding
a fair deal
The phrase a fair deal has a familiar
face. II points to the source of Mr..
TowNsKNp's inspiration
Just when did the people become
aroused, if they are aroused, about
the railroads?
They were not aroused in 1890, 1900,
1904 The Republican national platforms
of those years had not a word to say
about the curbing of the railroads and !
the magnification of the Interstate Com !
merce Commission. Mr.. ROOSEVELT !
was elected by the votes of men who were !
not themselves aroused, and who had /
no means of knowing that he was aroused, /
as to the railroads.
Somewhere between the Tuesday after
the first Monday in November and the
first Monday in December Mr. RoosE-
WELT became aroused His message Of
Dec. communicated officially some Of
his emotion He has since commune
Gated more, unoffically in Philadelphia.
II is understood that he will continue
these unofficial communications should
he Senate show that it is not aroused
Mr.. ROOSEVELT is wonderfully popu-
ar man, a skilful and almost clairvoyant
politician If he is the people, the peo-
pie are aroused. But do they know it7