The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-02
WORKING DAY AND NIGHT.

through Mr.. Roosevelt's bill to give
the Interstate Commerce Commission
power to fix rates. Mr.. ElkinS has
been having hearings intended to
try to convince the country that there
is no need of legislation. One railroad
magnate actually went so far as to
declare that the power ought not to
be conferred because it was already
possessed by the Commission. The
special pleading which is being put in
the newspapers and being sifted to
enable Mr.. Aldrich (the Car of the
Senate) to use to kill the House bill
or hug it to death by notwithstanding
amendments is along the usual lines
that monopoly employ. There Is no
vigorous criticism of the measure or
of Mr.. Roosevelt-oh, no. The whole
inquiry is directed to prove that rates
are as low as they can be without de-
stroying vested interests, that some
other remedy rather than the one sug
gested is the proper method, or that
the courts should SETTLE or something
else that will deny lower rates and
end favoritism.
The Elkins program is plausible and
shrewd-worthy of the magnates who
employ it. 1t is seconded by a Litera
ry Bureau set up in New York that
is sending out interviews and argu-
ments so worded as to convey the i'm
preston that the Roosevelt act is
wholly unnecessary, and that the
shippers are greatly in their own light
to ask Congress to legislate. For ex-
ample, the latest product of the bu-
reau, quotes an Illinois railroad man
as saying that Competition has done
the work hitherto and l believe will
continue to do So" that consultations
have not tended ito impair the eff
cheney of competition" and that 'if
instead of agitating antagonistic legis-
inclined to recognize the interests
which they and the transportation
companies have in common, and meet
the railways on the ground of that
common interest, better results would
be obtained as regards a satisfactory
Literary Bureau is busy sending out
such material. Much of it finds its
way in the newspapers and some
newspapers print it all sandwiched in
with the news of the day. Some real
railroad organs print some of the ar
seeking in a more personal way to
create public sentiment against regula-
ton or reduction of railroad rates.
The investigation at Washington and
the activity of the Literary Bureau is
Intended to serve as an excuse for the
Senate to ignore the popular demand
for legislation to fix railroad rates.
The House promptly passed the bill
and it is an open secret that before
the Senate could begin its considera-
ton Senator Aldrich hastily took his
departure for Europe. 1t is well known
that no legislation affecting any mono
poly, trust or gigantic concern can
pass the Senate unless it has the 90.
k of Senator Aldrich on it. Worlds
Work, which is not inclined to be in
harmony with the attitude of men like
Bryan, has taken the measure of
Aldrich's influence when it says in the
current number: Zone Senator from
Rhode Island has probably more in
fiuence today than all those from the
States west of the Mississippi. 1t is
hardly an exaggeration to say that
five men in the Senate control the fate
30
before it, 1t is an anomalous and
shameful state of affairs OF course
it is no exaggeration. Everybody
knows that when a piece of legislation
bears the disapproval of Aldrich,
Allison, SDooner and Foraker
it might as well be buried
as brought into the Senate. The
fifth man referred to by Worlds
Work was Senator Plat, of Connecti-
cult, who died last month. The other
Republican Senators sometime chafe
under the rule of the Big Five, but
their rule is so easy and benign that it
is not felt as a yoke. In all local or
matters. the Big Five per-
NIT the other Senators to do as they
will and they help them. 1t is only
upon a great matter that touches the
great corporations that the five are
omnipotent.
Worlds Work goes on to say--and
there is too much of truth in it-that
cit is a standing gibe that large
proportion of our Senator'S represent,
first of all, the railroads and trusts
and powerful interests which bought
them their seats-and their actions
confirm only too plainly the tags
which the public sees upon them.
There is but one way that Mr..
Roosevelt can secure the passage of
the railway rate bill through the Sen
ate. 1t is to cut off the supply of every
Senator who refuses to vote for the
bill-to put the question to each one
direct: Which do you prefer, the
right to control government patronage
or the favor of the railroad magnates.
If he grants the same executive favor
to the Senators from Trustville as to
those who come from People's-R Rights,