Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-04
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Some Talk as to Rate Legis-
lation Today.
NEW YORK POLITICS
MR.. oLCoTT BELIEVES PARSONS
WILL BE CHAIRMAN.
A Gold Heart Presented by People of
Colorado-A Foot Ball
Conference.
NEW YORK POLITICS

Railroad rate legisla IN the subject
OF informal discussion by the President to-
day with some of his callers. Members of
both branches of Congress paid their re-
spects to the President prior to the con-
vening of the two bodies. but only a few
| of them had business of Importance to
| bring up.
Representatives Esch and Townsend, re-
| spectively of Wisconsin and Michigan, had
brief conference with the President re-
S2rding rate legislation. At the last ses-
sion of Congress the rate measure which
bore their names passed the House of Rep
reseniatives. but the Senate failed to act
upon IT. They expect to reintroduce their
bill at the present session. Mr.. Townsend
told the President today that the measure
practically WIS completed; that he and Mr.
Esch were putting the finishing touches to
1t and that 1t might be introduced tomorrow
Mr.. Townsend said the measure would
not differ in principle from that which he
and Mr.. Esch presented in the last Con-
sIess. 1T will be an application" said
he, of the ideas contained in the bill which
we offered last session. 1t will provide for
an interstate commerce commission OF
seven members who shall have authority
TO adjust any particular rate that, in the
opinion OF the commission, is unjust or dis
criminatory. The rate as fixed by the COM
mission shall be in force after thirty DAYS
until the courts have passed upon 1t. In
the proceedings before the courts 1t will be
necessary for the railroads to demonstrate
that the rate fixed by the commission Is
unfair to them or confiscatory.
Our bill does not differ in essential de-
tails from that proposed by the interstate
commerce commission, although in details
there is difference. Both measures how
ever, embody the main ideas of President
Roosevelt"
When Mr.. Townsend was asked whether
the commission bill had the approval OF
the President any more than the bill OF
himself and Mr.. Esch, said Il do not I'M
derstand so. Both bills contain the prin-
ciples for which the President is struggling.
They provide that where a given rate has
been declared to be unfair new rate may
be substituted for it and go into operation
within thirty days"
1t is the consensus of opinion that the
Congress committees will endeavor to pre-
sent to the Senate and House a bill that
will embody the best features in all of the
propositions made.
Conference on New York Politics.
Representative Olcott of New York, who
a few days ago withdrew from the fight
for chairman of the republican committee
of New York county, talked for a few
minutes with President Roosevelt this
morning to the situation in that county.
Representative Parsons will, in my
opinion, be unanimously elected as chair
man of the county committee" said Mr..
Olcott. so far as / am able to learn.
there is no objection to him In any direc-
ton"
What about the suggestion that dark
horse should be brought out, some one
who has not received the Endorsement of
either Odell or Platt?''
Il haven't the least idea that there viii
be any serious opposition TO Mr.. Parsons
that he will be opposed in the conven-
ton"
rs his selection satisfactory to the
President "
Il see no reason why it should be I'M
satisfactory, and ! have not heard that the
President is anything else but pleased
with the harmonious condition in the
county,"
Mr.. Olcott said that the President had
not taken an active part in the matter in
any way. but that naturally he was inter
ested in affairs.