Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-02-25

itely but that it could hear cases and
make recommendations Since thai
time there have been only twenty-six
cases, making total in the whole
eighteen years of only sixty-two for
NAL complaints against railroad rates
The burden of nearly all the com
plants presented to the commission is
preference and discrimination"
Here Mr.. Hepburn read extracts
from the old law regarding the powers
of the interstate commerce commits
sion. showing that the provisions made
were for combating the evils growing
out Of determinations and unjust
treatment of shippers.
II was glad to hear your hearty ap.
plause of the Presidents views on this
subject" continued the speaker. He
says that the legislation of the fifty
eighth congress, which I have just
read you, must be enforced. He
realizes that it covers the ground and
that it makes provision for solving the
problems presented by rebates, pri-
vate cars, private switches, and such
evils. He is not asking more legisla-
ton on this point but he demands that
it be enforced. He also demands that
the interstate commerce commission
be given power to fix just rates and
reasonable rates, to be in effect with
out exception nor discrimination, until
the court, if it sees fit after e hearing
of both sides, shall consider it an un-
reasonable rate.
But gentlemen have confused the
case and the facts, think, to repro
bate congress, the Iowa, delegation,
and myself.
This, congress now in session, In
December last year, began the work
upon the railroad rate question as
had outlined in my letter to Mr.. Wal
lace. Iowans have charged me with
browbeating one of the witnesses be-
fore the committee of which l was
chairman, but have letters in my pos
session, from him, in which he speaks
in most cordial manner of my cour-
tesy to him throughout the hearings of
the whole case.
Early this season began the prep
aration of the bill which I thought
would carry out the Presidents idea.
I had conferences with him at various
cabinet. The first bill did not like
and kept working on it until had
improved 1t. l took it to him for his
inspection and he approved 1t as it had
been written. then took 1t to the at
torney general to have it put into that
legal language that would make it
Withstand any attacks, through the
courts, which it's enemies might make
upon it. That bill, approved by the
President, written in legal form by
the attorney general, was the bill
introduced in the house Of representa-
tives. When 1t came up before our
committee we found that eight of the
eleven republicans approved Of the bill.
Two of the others each had a bill of
their own and the. other one-we did
not know where he stood. The six
democrats on the committee we're
bound by caucus agreement to support
another measure. 1t took nine votes
to get that bill out Of the committee.
I wanted my bill reported. I wanted
a bill to meet the approval Of the Pres
ident.
IT went to Esch and Townsend and
said to them: You put your bills to-
gether, combine them, amend them
with sections of my bill Then will
move favorable report and the bill
will be taken up in the house as the
Esch-T Townsend BILL This was done.
I secured the special order under
which the bill was adopted
II say this modestly and would not
mention my participation in the affair
but for the charges that have been
made against me- The bill got all but
seventeen votes in the house.
"And yet gentlemen have charged
me with deserving my constituents and
violating my trust.
81 have had, from first to last, the
benefit of the advice of the President,
of Secretary Taft, Secretary Shaw,
the attorney general and all my col
leagues from Iowa except the demo.
cratic member. whom did not ask
for help, but who do not doubt, would
have helped me had asked him.
/" In view of all that has been said,
did not want to go to this meeting
with this seeming boastfulness. It is
not pleasant thing for a man to
state what 1 have stated here in self
justification, because of the seeming
egotism that is in it. But 1 have a
letter here that am very proud of,
and very glad to have it, and have
brought it here to read it to you.
"tOf1ice Of the Attorney General,
Washington, D. c., Feb Is, 1905:
My Dear Colonel Hepburn. You
write asking me if 1 can properly say
to you whether in the proposed amend
ment to the interstate commerce law
your attitude has been adverse to the
made in the Presi-
dents message, or otherwise. / see
no reason why cannot answer your
letter and give the information you de.
SIRE
1.-The Presidents message con-
tanned two recommendations First,
that the commission should be given
the power to fix the future rate for the
transportation of persons and property
if the rate in force should be found to