Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-20

lation by the railroad Of the order 50
in case of rate making II the law per-
mitted the railroad companies to en-
join 1t, it would simply make a farce
of the whole proceedings. In writing
this communication I am reminded OF
the circumstance Of the interstate com
merce law convention held in Chicago
on the goth and 9th Of last October.
I gathered from the editorial remarks
of your paper that said convention Was
uncalled for, serving no special pur-
poses and ill-timed. / assumed that
such a position was taken from lack
of correct information at that time.
If l remember rightly you censured
Mr.. Bacon, the president OF the asso
citation, mildly, for calling the conven-
ton. Let me explain. First the inter-
state Commerce Law Association was
formed at st. Louis last year. It's
purpose was to sustain the president In
his position as to rate making. The
year had expired and 1t was the duty
of Mr.. Bacon, the president, to call
the meeting. The call was quite gem
eral and included those and those only
who were in favor OF the president
recommendation. The call for fhe
convention was-not for the purpose OF
a discussion upon the merits OF the
matter that had been accomplished
and its questions settled.
The convention was called for the
purpose of electing officers for the en-
suing year, the raising OF FUNDS 10
carry out the organization for sne
campaign at Washington, when con-
gress assembled, to hold up the hands
and assist President Roosevelt pe1ore
congress. It is the only organization
entirely Of that character and with tne
powerful organization opposed TO the
presidents views, it seems to be
very necessary and proper one. II
matters but little as to how delegates
were appointed to this convention 80
long as they were a unit In carrying
out the purposes Of the convention.
Two delegations were in attendance
from Marshall county. Mr.. L. z. MOTIFS
representing the Marshalltown COM
mercial club and myself representing
the Meat Producers Association OF
Marshall county. There was much ais-
cussion on the question OF methoos
pursued by those opposing the presi-
dents views. Any method diHerlns
from the presidents language found no
favor in that convention. The presl-
dent saws: That whenever a rate IS
challenged, and after fair and iuli
hearing, 1t is found to be unreasona-
BILE. the commission shall have the
power to substitute therefore rea-
sonable rate and said rate shall go IN
to effect at once"
The reason for the strong opposi-
ton to this by the railroad and other
great corporations is not easily UNDER
stood. After the ena ctment Of the IN
ter-state commerce law it was gener-
ally understood and agreed to that the
Inter state commerce commission had
exactly this power and in pursuance
thereof cases were tried before the
commission, DEGREES were entered,
rates were made by the commission
and this was done In q great many
ca ses The railroad companies COM
piled with the law with but little COM
plaint and for ten years this was In
full practical force. What is asked
now and all that Is substantially asked
is a restoration Of the practices OF the
inter state commerce commission the
first ten years of its existence. But
a compromise having within 1t any ele-
ment OF uncertainty as to the power
Of the commission to fix reasonable