The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-05
ATTACK NOR TON
BAKER MAKES RI
IN THE HOUSE.
He Offers a Resolution mtimating That He
should 10 Arrested and Prosecuted
FOR Violating tho Anti-Itebste Law
When Trafnc MaDaEeror santa Fc Road.


for Violating tho Anu-Rebate Law
When Tranic ManaEeror santa Fc Road.
WAsHINGToN. Jan. 4.--For the past week
1t has been apparent to observers in Wash
ington that the revelations made in Chicago
before a committee OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission concerning rebates
granted by the Atchison, Topeka ami Santa
Fa Railroad would ultimately lead TO at
tacks in Congress on Paul Morton, Secre-
tary OF the Navy in President Roose velts
Cabinet, who az vice president and head
Of the traffic department Of the railroad
under investigation granted rebates to one
or more important industrial concerns.
This expectation was realized to-day.
when the House assembled for the first
time since the holidays, in the presentation
OF a resolution asking the President whether
the retention Of Mr.. Morton in his Cabinet
IL in harmony with his denuncation Of re-
bates in his last annual message and con-
ducive TO the public interests.
The fact that the resolution was fathered
by Representative Baker of New York.
known popularity as "Anti-Pass- Baker,
from his having refused an annual rail-
road pass and published the news Of his
action In the newspapers. did much 10
weaken the force Of this initial effort against
Mr. Morton, but ii is significant as show
ing that tho testimony indicating tnnt
member Of the Presidents official family
violated the anti-rebate law will not be
permitted to pass unnoticed.
Mr.. Bakers effort IA regarded as only the
entering wedge IN an attempt not only TO
get at Mr.. Morton personally, but to ascer-
tam, with view 10 prosecution. how gen.
orally the anti-rebate act has been violated
by railroads
The forgotten circumstances was revived
to-day that Mr.. Morton had publicly ad-
mitted that he. as traffic manager Of the
Santa Fe bad granted rebates TO beef
packers and That he knew this was in Vio-
lation of law Mr.. Morton appeared be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Commission
in Washington on Dec 10. 1901 and in answer
10 Comui-aoner Clements, said
Yes. sir it vas an illegal contract. 1t
was Illegal when we made II aud Wa knew
that
In answer to a question by Commissioner
PrOuty he said
j think it was Illegal 50 long as we did
not publish the tariff II wo published
the tariff il would be perfectly legal My
impression is that they did not want Us to
pu blish the tariff.
Inc Baker resolution starts on with
denuncation OF trusts, quotes President
Roosevelt "a saying in his annual massage
that 1t il necessary 10 put complete stop
20 all rebates refers 20 the recent testi-
mOny Of the present traffic manager Of the
Santa fe that MS road had granted a secret
rebate 10 the Colorado Fuel and Iron Com
panv inter the enactment Of the anti re-
bate law Saya that the effect OF this rebate
waa to bankrupt certain competitors, men
tions Paul Morton as the traffic manager
of tho road s. hon the secret rebate was
allowed. and reports him as defending
his action. To this preamble the follow
ing resolutions, in characteristic Baker
style. are appended
Ef.oire1. That this Houae respectfully asks
the President ,hcther II is ~ harmony with
his rn"ssage OF Dec 6. ond nlso conducive 10
tho public interests. 10 retain Mr. Morton
a. secretary ot the Nav and be- II further
I.s..irrf Th4f as Tho Secretary Ia tho
Prrsdeutin recent letter 20 The District Com
- gain taken MP with his Cabinet the matter
Of 4 smoke nuisance. urWing that the head
o4ending company be arrested again and
again At Tho shortest possible" intervals.
This House o. presses the opinion that nothing
would so surely restore public confidence
lea the administration OF Law rs the arrest
and .ro.oruiior NJ both Tho Secretary Of tho
NAVY and N. Ul1lc manager OF tho Atchison.
4 1pekg and Santa l4 Railroad Compnny
ior shat COTS Wfc4 q baref4ced disregard
of iav ~ having granted "a the Colorado
flcl and IRON Company tho aforesaid secret
rcbaie
II the House should pass these resolu-
tions in their present form. the President
would probably return them or ignore
them rs impairment and as dealing with
matters which did not concern the House.
If the Leaders decide to let any resolutions
70 through. they will be SO worded To
give the President chance TO explain
about Mr. Morton's alleged violation Of
the Inv without being compelled 10 OK
press an opinion a. to whether Mr. Morton
should retain the Navy portfolio and should
not bo arrestei and prosecuted.
In spite 81 the fact. however. that Mr..
Baker is interested in the movement 10
can Mr. Morton 70 account, 1t is generally
believed here that the Republican leaders
in Congres. will feel compelled to take some
notice Of Mr. Mortons action in granting
pected soon.