The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-06-02
THREE ABSORBING TOPICS
Bowcn-Loomis Case, Rate
Legislation, The Tariff.
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL,
Hearings Before Senate Commit
tee, a Travesty.

wEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Three topics are being discussed IN
Washington these days to the almost
total exclusion of all others. They
are railway rate legislation, the tar
III and, to a less extent, the Bowen
Loomis investigation. It will be re-
called that Herbert w. Bowento
begin With the least Important
while Minister to Venezuela, for
warded to Secretary Hay a report in
which he enumerated certain charges
against Assistant Secretary Of State
Loomis, etTecting Mr.. Loomis' con.
duct as former Minister to Venezuela,
which charges Mr.. Bowen declared to
be in common circulation in Caracas.
Secretary Hay replied immediately
with warning to Mr. Bowen not to
sanction the charges n any way, and
the President, who has the greatest
faith in Mr.. Looms, made perfume
tory investigation and dismissed the
charges. When, however, Mr.. Bow
en- learned that Secretary Taft who,
acting on Instructions from the presi-
dent. is conducting very thorough
Investigation. Meanwhile, Secretary
Loonis has preferred charges against
Mr.. Bowen as the instigator of the
publication of the charges. While
The allegations are all of like char
ucter, the most important is that Mr..
Loomis accepted a $40. 900 check FROM
the Asphalt Trust for promoting its
interests in Venezuela. Above aud
beyond the fact that the charges
affect the honor of high official 0f
the administration and the discretion
Of one OF its diplomatic representa-
tives, 1t has an important internat-
ional side Ia it; bearing on the exist
ing controversy between the United
States and Venezuela concerning the
concession of the Asphalt Trust 10
Venezuela, the famous asphalt lake.
AT present, the investigation remains
in statu quo, awaiting the arrival OF
Minister Russell, recently transferred
from Bogota to Caracas, and who vas
secretary Of legation at Caracas dur
ing Mr.. Loomis' entire term as min
lister. 9
The most important political and
economic question now on the tapis
is that Of railway rate legislation.
The Senate committee on Interstate
Commerce has concluded its hearings
on that subject and has adjourned
without action, as was expected.
These hearings have been travcsty
from the beginning. 1t has been en-
tircly obvious from the start that
testimony derogatory to the conten-
ti0us of the railways was obnoxious
to the members of the committee and
witnesses who espoused that side OF
the controversy have been subjected
to the most lnerciless cross examina-
tions and so frequently interrupted
that many OF them were totally un-
ai,le To present adequately their side
or the case. Railway lawyers In con-
slant attendance on the committee
wrote out the questions which were
pfopounded by the Senators and
which were calculated to confuse and
disconcert the witness, II he was op-
posed to the contentious OF tho rail-
ways, or to draw out and assist him,
If he was favorable to the railways,
prlvate car companies, ct a..
or course no good will come Of tht
hearings AS II Is now composed thu
Senate committee on Interstate Com
MERGE never has and never will report
u measure unacceptable to the rail-
ways or which could possibly correct
the evils to which public attention
has recently been directed. II eve
adequate railway rate Legislation
passes the Senate it will be only afte
"a terrific fight in which the commit
lee, OF which Senator Elkins Is tn,
distinguished chairman, is beaten
1t is regarded by those who sincerel.
espouse the cause Of the people a
against the railroads as great mis-
tortuue that the opportunity afforded
The Senate committee to ascerta!l
the tacta has been so ehamelessl