Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-06-15
RECORD or DEMoCRATs
Beyond Reproach on Control Of
Corporations Question.
REPUBLICANS DIVIDED ON 1ssuE
President Roosevelt Hos Adopted h
Democratic Policy of Ftxinn M,xt-.
mum Rntes-Honest Voters of All
Parties Must Join to Curb R~apacity
Of Railroads and Trusts.

The Democratic record on control of
railroad rates is beyond reproach from
the peoples standpoint. Not only has
the Democratic party declared contin-
ually IN its platforms for control of
public monopolies, but the votes Of
democratic members Of congress have
been uniformly cast for controlling the
power Of railroad corporations to
charge exorbitant rates. In the last
congress the Democratic members were
unanimous for the Davey bill, which
provided that the interstate
commission should have the power to
fix maximum rates, but this bill was
voted down by the Republican major
1ty. The Esch-TUwnsend bill, which
was passed by the house of representa-
lives and which the Democrats voted
Tor, in lieu Of a better measure, was
much more complex than the Davey
Dill. 1t had some good provisions, but
lacked the plain and direct conditions
Of the bill that the Democrats propos-
ed. Why the Republicans forced a bill
that was complex and uncertain in
many Of Its provisions can be Judged
by their past position on railroad legis-
lation.
For ten years the interstate COM
merce commission has asked congress
to grant it more power to deal with the
railroads, especially the power to fix
maximum rates. During all these years
the Republicans have controlled con-
gress, but beyond passing the Elkins
bill, which has done more harm than
good to the people, which bill the rail-
road combinations favored, no legisla-
tion for the relief Of the people has
been accomplished.
President Roosevelt has taken up the
fight for the people against the rail-
roads and has declared substantially
for the Democratic contention, but a
large faction Of his party with a ma
jority of the United States senate are
secretly opposing the legislation he
recommends. This opposition Of many
Of the Republican leaders to controlling
the railroads was to be expected, for
they and their party have been receiv-
ing campaign funds from the corpora
lions and in many states it is notorious
that the railroad attorneys, agents and
lobbyists have dictated the nominations
for state and federal officers in most Of
the Republican conventions. AS the
Democrats in the last congress pro-
posed the policy which the president
has adopted, so they will continue this
policy in the coming congress. AS long
as President Roosevelt continues to
recommend legislation that agrees with
Democratic platforms and principles
he may rely upon the support Of all
true Democrats. The problem Of the
coming congress is how many Repub-
lican members will be found honestly
aiding the Democrats and the presi-
dent to control the railroads.
The exultant Democracy Of Chicago,
through the Iroquois club, promised to
stand by the president W to the end
Of aiding in giving him a third term,
if such is necessary to complete the re-
forms be has initiated. That extraordi-
nary statement from political oppo-
nents shows how strongly the business
men and other voters Of the country
feel on this paramount issue Of con-
trolling railroads and other corpora
lions. Whatever course the Republican
majority in congress may take the De
mocracy may be relied upon to vote for
any plain, straightforward bill that
will give the interstate commerce COM
mission power to fix maximum rates
and will cooperate with the president
and the faction Of his party that he
represents in passing such legislation.