The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-09
HAIL ROOSEVELT AS LEADER
IN THE NATTER OF REGULATING
RAILROAD RATES.
House Democrats Congratulate Him on
His Adoption OF Democratic Measures
MIR. Vreeland, (Rep.) says the Pending
Bill Is Not Regulation. but Confiscauon.


WASHINGTON Feb. s-President Roose-
welt was formally acknowledged as the
leader Of the Democratic hosts in the matter
of Government regulation Of railroad rates
by Mr.. James, the youthful giant Of Ken
lucky and other Democrats in speeches
on the railroad question made in the House
to-day. This, together with the repudia-
ton by Mr.. Vreeland (Rep., y. W OF the
proposed legislation az Republican doc
trine. Endorsed by the Republican party,
were the interesting spots in an otherwise
dull and monotonous debate.
The five minute stage Of speechmadng
was reached to-day and despite the fact
that the consideration OF the rate bill was
suspended an hour while the electoral vote
was officially counted In joint convention
OF the two houses Of Congress 100 speeches
were made and adjournment occurred nearly
an hour before 1t was taken on any OF the
previous days. Four hours debate to-
morrow will conclude the talking and by
o'clock 1t ia expected that the Esch-Town-
send bill will have been passed with but
a few opposing votes.
One OF Mr.. Hearat's lieutenants, Mr..
Shober Dem, \. ". expressed his regret
that minority management Of the situation
had lost TO the Democratic party an oppor-
tunity TO secure TO the people some adequate
legislation on the matter at issue. This
was the more to DO regretted. he added,
because similar Encouragement had forced
nominations at the st. Louis convention.
the result OF which was seen last Novem-
Der, He eulogized the Hearst bill as alone
competent to deal with the problems pro-
sented by the.oondition OF to-day. but said
that rather than to vote for no proposition
at all he would first vote for the Davey bill
and then for the sch-Townsend bill.
Mr.. Van Dusen Dem. New declared that
he was for regulation OF railroad rates and
would stand with President Roosevelt in
the position he had taken. for said he,
mo moro courageous act since Andrew
Jaokson's attack upon the United States
Bank has ever been done than that Of the
President in taking hold Of the question
or railroad regulation
Messrs. Padgett CTenn.), Bartlett (Ga)
and Cochran (Aio). Democrats, discussed
the majority bill from legal standpoint,
the latter expressing tho hope that no
Democrat would vote for il.
The maj ority bill found its first advocate
said that after giving the subject much
study he was in favor Of legislative regula-
ton Of railroads engaged in interstate
commerce. The pending bill did all that
was demanded and all that was necessary
at the present time. He was followed by
Mr. Esch rep. Wis.,. one Of the Joint
authors OF the ma ority bill. and Mr.. Gros-
venor (Rep. Ohio, also IN favor OF the
bill.
Mr. Thayer Dem, Mass) congratulated
the Republicans of the House, the majority
Of the Committee on Interstate Commerce
and especially the President upon their
adoption aud support OF the Democratic
measure now pending.
Mr.. Scudder Dem., \. " announced his
inability TO vote for either Of the pending
bills.
Mr.. Vreeland (Rep.. y. " told the COM
nlittee that for the first time in his member
ship OF six years he found himself out OF
harmony with his political associates upon
any material matter OF legislation. He could,
he said give but an idea OF the reasons which
prevented him from voting for the rule 10
consider the hi. or for the passage OF the
bill.
The sch-Townsend bill, he declared.
was not approved by the Republican party
Of the country. and was not Republican III
policy II was not regulation of property,
II was confscation. IL has been said that
the bill tended 10 socialism. In Mr.. Vree-
lands opinion il was socialism. He defied
any one to point out in any Republican plat
form declaration in favor OF taking away
from the owners OF railroads the right 10
determine the rates at which they were
willing to sell their transportation.
In accepting the nomination for Presi-
dent, Mr.. Roosevelt issued a letter setting
forth Republican principles; but that docu-
ment would DO searched in vain for any
hint of his purpose, or the purpose OF the
Republican party, 10 take over from rail-
road owners the control OF their property.
He had heard She distin guished Speaker
OF the House and the chairman Of the com
mittee reporting the pending bill make
exhaustive speeches in the last campaign,
but neither Of them mentioned the posi-
bility Of this proposed legislation II Con-
Rress entered upon the policy outlined
in the bill, where would the line be drawn
If Congress undertook TO deterInlne the
price at which transportation shall be sold,
why should il not determine the price at
which the articles transported should be
soldf
Mr.. Shackleford Dem, Mo Doesn't
the beef trust do that now?
Mr. Vreeland-Maybe 80. And II II be
right TO fix the price at which beef shall
the price at which II shall be sold when 1t
reaches there.
Mr.. Kyle Rep. Ohio took issue with Mr..
Vreeland that the proposed legislation was
, not kepublCsln 1OCtflnf- ntTt Hhu come
tlp from all the people all over the country
a cry for relief. and the Republican party
was born and continued TO have It's being
TO afford relief from conditions that OPP
pressed the people. 50 that whether or
not there had been any formal declaration
in the Republican platform or elsewhere
IL was none the less Republicanidoctrine.
Mr. James Dem, KY boldly claimed
President Roosevelt as the leader of the
Democratic hosts and gladly volunteered
IA follower Speaking Of the Presi-
dents action, he said: This has not
burst upon the country like a meteor;
It has been the constant burning red light
OF danger in the political armament.
The Democracy has seen II and the De-
mocracy has called attention to it. 1 look
forward to the day when he will send
message to Congress saying that he wants
this House to put all trust made articles on
the free list. look forward to the day
when he will send message to the Congress
saying that We ought 10 20 back to the pris-
tine days when ii was esteemed right 20 be
honest, when the taxation should be borne
by rich and poor alike, and ask US TO re-
habilitate the income tax in this country.
Democratic applause | want TO say now
TO the President that this side Of the cham
Der will follow him when he fights under our
Tag. We know that the soldiers followed
him CALAMITY up San Juan Hill. but no
more CALAMITY than the Democracy will
follow him when he charges the HarTi-
man Vanderbilt Cassstt-Hill in this coun-
try Of wealth and greed. Applause on the