The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-26
STAND BY ROOSEVELT.
House Votes in Favor OF His Position
on Railroads.

on Railroads.
An effort to secure an endorsement
OF the Hepburn bill for the regulation
OF interstate commerce failed in the
mouse OF representatives this morning,
put the member went on record by a
large majority in favor of the endorse
ment OF Roosevelt's policy concerning
the regulation of railways, and re-
quesung the Kansas Senators
(pluraD and representatives to vote
for the administration bill" AS the
administration bill and the Hepburn
OH are generally supposed to be the
same thing, it was probably a dis
unctlon without much difference.
). > simmons, of Lane, and Speaker
Stupps tangled up during the discus
sion OF the bill. Stubbs is getting in
the habit of taking part in debates on
the floor, and naturally, it brings him
into conflict with the members to a
considerable extent. Mr. Stubbs was
IN favor OF the passage of the resolu-
ton. Simmons thought that the state
legislature had no license to take out
chips in the game, and dictate to the
congressional delegation what it
should do. He said the representa-
ttves in congress knew a great deal
more about the matter than people
out here in Kansas can know. Mr.
Stubs said in reply:
All this local legislation about rail-
roads which we are talking about here
is child's play compared with the i'm
pOrtance of this interstate commerce
bill now pending before congress.
Ninety per cent of the rates on freight
in this state are made under the inter
state commerce laws and state legis-
lation cannot touch them. 1t is only
the remaining 10 per cent to which
state laws apply. At present the in
terstate commerce commission is help
less except to advise the railroads
what they ought to do. The commits
sion cannot enforce its orders I be-
5~1,,
on record as endorsing the policy of
President Roosevelt"
a. G. Mead, of Mitchell, thought
that the representatives in congress
would like to have instructions in
such matters. w. P. Hackney and
Robert Stone were of the same opin-
ion.
c. D. Jones, of Norton, moved to ta-
Bile the resolution, and this plan re
celVed considerable support, there be-
ing 81 votes for it and A against it.
The resolution over which the fight
occurred was introduced originally in
the senate, but was identical with a
resolution introduced in the house. The
senate resolution passed, and was mes
saged over. 1t then went to the COM
mittee on state affairs, and the COM
mittee on state affairs reported back
some amendments, which the house
considered today. 1t was one of these
amendments that contained the refer
ence to the Hepburn bill, and this was
amended form will have to go back to
the senate, and a conference committee |
may be needed. The resolution as pass
ed by the house follows:
Whereas, The rates of transportation |
Of persons and property in our inter
state commerce vitality affect all classes
of our citizens;
Whereas, The existing tariff rates
for the transportation of persons and
property in our interstate commerce are
higher now than the present business
interest OF the country viii justify, and
in numerous cases extortionate;
Whereas, The interstate commerce |
commission, since the decision of the
supreme court of the United States, is
without power under the law, to deter
mine what are Just and reasonable /
and property, in our interstate conf
merce and enforce any order made by
said commission in relation thereto
Resolved, By the senate, the house
therein: That our senators
be instructed and our representatives in /
congress be requested to vote for, and
use all honorable means TO procure the ]
speedy passage of q law further defln /
ing the powers and duties of the inter-
state commerce commission or inter-
state commerce court, so that said COM /
mission or court shall be empowered in /
all cases after hearing, to determine /
what are just and reasonable rates for
the transportation of persons and pro |
perty in our interstate commerce, ana
with full power to enforce any order
made in relation to such rates of trans /
portatiOn and property, and to secure /
such enactment at the present session
of congress, we recommend the passage
of President Roosevelts administration
bill.
Resolved, Further, that correct cop !
les of this resolution be enrolled, sign /
ed by the speaker of the house and
president of the senate, and sent to each |
of our senators and representatives /
in congress; and that a copy be sent to
the president of the senate of the Uni /
ted States. and a copy to the speaker
of the house of representatives; and /
THAI they be requested to lay the same
before their respective bodies