Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-30
AS TO RATE MAKING.
The Senate Committee on Inter
State Commerce Meeting.
QUESTION NAY DIVIDE REPUBLICANS



Washington, Nov. 2S.-Railroad rate
making was again considered by the
senate committee on interstate COM
merce Wednesday, but in an informal
way, as no measure has yet been pre-
sented to the committee upon which Il
can base its action. Views were ex-
pressed by several members which in
dicated sharp division as far as the
situation has developed. There Is the
further indication that majority OF
the committee will favor a measure
giving the interstate commerce COM
mission more power, which means In
some form control over rates. 1t
seems to be quite we'll understood that
three republicans and enough demo-
Gratis favor such legislation to insure
a rate-making bill being reported.
Informal discussions among repub-
lican members of the committee show
that apprehension is felt that If bill
should be reported by republicans and
democrats against the wish Of a ma
jority Of the republican members, 1t
would create division In the party
that will work disaster in the future.
The republicans who favor rate-mak-
ing legislation assert that the way to
avoid rupture Is to support a con-
sentative measure in line with. the
recommendations of the president.
Some of the opponents Of bill CIV
ing the commission power over rates
expressed the hope after adjournment
Of the meeting Wednesday that when
the views Of the president have been
set forth, an agreement can be reached
by the republicans upon a bill which
can be reported and passed without
much friction. II
At future meetings, beginning Thurs
day each member Of the committee will
be given an opportunity to state his
views In regular order. During the
discussion Wednesday Senator Foraker
expressed the opinion that 1t would be
SUFFICIENT to meet the present situa-
ton If the interstate commerce COM
mission should be authorized to take
cognizance Of complaints, bring suits
to enforce the laws in the United States
courts and that all district attorneys
be empowered to prosecute such cases.
Senator Dolliver said he believed that
the movement for control Of rates
had progressed to the extent that leg
islation short Of giving some tribunal
of the government such power would
not be satisfactory. Other members
of the committee expressed opinions
upon various phases Of the proposed
legislation, but definite declarations
were generally withheld.
81 have no doubt that q measure
for railroad regulation, providing for
the prompt determination Of freight
rates where disputes arise between
shippers and communities on the one
hand, and the carriers on the other,
will be passed the coming session. But
l look for prolonged consideration
both in the committee and the senate,
and the public will probably grow
impatient over the delay.
Individually, I believe in compre-
hensive action on the whole question
Of transportation by means Of nation
al incorporation act, covering the in
of new companies, as well
as the consolidation Of old, guarding
strictly against over-capitalization
preferences, rebates and discrimina-
lions, and compelling an automatic but |
gradual reduction in rates as the total
business Of the country increses, by q |
limitation of dividends.
"Such. legislation would put the rail-
roads out of politics, state and nation
al, would protect the interests Of in
yestor and shipper alike, and would
not interfere with the initiative and
enterprise which have given us the
best railroad system in the world.
1--WE should do away with the absur- |
iity Of PERMITTING the states to char
ter carriers for interstate commerce. |
Of the transportation Of |
the country is interstate, and as inter-
state commerce is clearly entrusted by |
our constitution to the national gov
eminent, 1t is illogical that 40 lesser
should create the ma
chimes that are to do the business of |
the greater sovereignty.
-.--.I- 49,