New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-05
FIRM FOR A RATE BILL.
PRESIDENT IN EARNEST.
Determined to Secure Federal Regu-
Lation of Freight Charges.

xr-ss1ine4on Oct 4-"President Roosevelt is
ssaa in earnest on the subject % railroad rate
legislation, and Is just as determined as ever
tha: legislative regulaIons shall be enacted
looking To federal supervision OF the freight
rate situation"
This statement was made to-day. after con-
ference with the President. by Representative
townsend. Of Michigan. one OF the authors OF
tbs xo-ca1led Townsend Railroad Rate bill,
rvn,Gh passed the House of Representatives AZ
80 last session The conference was the most
s,.e,ss+inr and important held at the White
r-,,,s. +o-dav The President has taken up the
subject Of railroad freight rates with earnest
sszi-e 10 reach such conclusion will be
KeneraIlv satisfactory. but he adheres 70 the
n-inciple embodied in the legislation proposed
81 the last session OF Congress.
Representative Townsend called to discuss
the subject with the President and to speak
nf the necessity for the making OF changes in
the measure which he and M. Esch introduced
!ast winter Mr.. Esch informed the President
that he could not be here at this time but that
Afr Townsend and he were in entire accord.
Mr. Townsend did not have opportunity TO
20 into the subject fully with the President to-
day but the President requester him to call
Hgain at go T. N. tomorrow He did not
know whether the President intended to have
others present st The conference or not, as he
l2d no intimStOn OF a genefaj conference OF
Senators and Representa- lives on the subject.
II have no authority TO represent the Presi-
dents views as TO railroad rates. said Mr..
Townsend but I can say that he entertains
now the same views in principle he expressed
In his message last December. He believes tha2
to either the Interstate Commerce Commission
e TO some other body ought to he given the
authority 90 adjust rates found IN he uEreason-
able The crux of the whole matter is not that
the commission should fix rates, but that it
should have the power TO substitute a reason
able rate for one found OF investigation to be IN
sust without such authority the evils COM
blamed OF could not he reached.
Have any suggestions been made of changes
IN the Esch-Townsend measure was asked
Some changes may be made, replied MI
ToTnsend but they will he for the purpose Of
making the bill clearer certain points, It Is
Intended OF course, 10 include in the regula-
tio7s n-}vate cars. refrigerator cars and ter
rniraI charges We thought they were covered
BE- no question about them they will be in
Guided in the bill in definite way One thing
le 7r7f-e certain There will be no narrowing
Ce The scope Of the bilf-no modification or the
r,-irrirles involved. The interest OF both the
sbirrers and the railroads are to be subserved
&-ba5v wants to do an injustice 10 the trans
roortatiou lines and the bill agreed upon VIII 1Vt
he unfair 20 the railroads -
AZ Townsend said II vas expected that the
senate Committee Interstate commerce
--o,r5 orepare and report measure 10 resu-
-. ~.i1-oa5 freight rates While he dld not
-. = 5afrs+e idea as TO the scope of the Sen
re measure he regarded il as doubtful Whe1heT
,bs members Of the Senate committee Wouiu
60 zifr senator Foraker that the PROPOSE
fior involved only question Of methods.