West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-06-01
OUR washington LETTER
The Senate Committee on Railway
Rate Legislation
CONTROLLED ENTIRELY
BY THE RAIL ROADS.
The President Still Determined TO
Call An Extra Session Of
Congress in October.
ION Oar Regular Correspondent

A'N H"NANhNa lNIiSAN ohNW mas hSNH
brought 10 a close. In other words
the Senate committee on Interstate
Commerce has concluded its hear
ings and adjourned, as was expect.
ed without action. Rarely has a
more pitiablc spectacle been pre-
sented to the public gaze than that
OF Senator Elkins, Dollivcr, Cullom,
kean, Foraker, Clapp and Millard
pretending to conduct an investiga-
ton into the advisability Of railway
rate legislation when every one of
these men was in reality, determin-
ed from the start TO distort the facts
and, nolens, volens, make il appear
that there exists no occasion for
remedial legislation. Had it not
been ridiculous to observe the OBJ
sequiousness OF the respective Sena-
tors TO their masters. For instances
Senator Cullom talked very bravely
and almost espoused the cause OF
the peoplc-until the President of
the Illinois Central Railway appear.
ed TO testify. Then Mr.. Cullum
"heard his masters voice." and the
scene was reiterated when the repre-
sentatives Of the Armour Private
Car Company appeared before the
| committee. Senator Dolliver ring
ed before the officials Of the Chi
cago, Burlington q Quincy Railroad
and Senator Clapp was obsequious
in his Difference to J. ]. HILL As
for Senator's Elkins, Foraker and
Kean, they were openly antagonis-
tic TO every man who testified
against the railways Senator FL.
kins sat throughout the hearing with
railroad attorney on either side Of
him and obedient!y propounded the
questions which they wrote oUt for
HIM while Senator Kean barely
short of insulting in his method of
interroRating witnesses who opposed
the interests which he represents.
Throughout the hearings daily re-
ports have been furnished TO every
newspaper correspondent in Wash
ington by two different reporters.
The reports have also been mailed
d a ly TO numerous newspapers
throughout the country. The re-
ports were free, but anyone who ex-
perienced any curiosity asto who paid
the expenses of preparing and dis
tributing them ne c d only have
attended a session OF the committee
and then compared the distorted
character Of the reportsf which in
every instance elaborated, strength
ened and supported the testimony
favorable to the railroads and dis
torted, weakened, and even altered,
the evidence prejudicial to the con-
tentions of the railroads TO have
satisfied his curiosity.
Now that the hearings are con-
cluded Senator Kean has gone
frankly TO the President and urged
HIM not to call Congress in special
session assuring him that it will do
no possible good. The President is
however, determined to convene
the Congress on October 70, all
though it is barely possible he may
be dissuaded before the time comes.
In any event, it is certain that no
good will come out Of the hearings
just concluded. 1t is barely posi-
bic that there will be found sufici-
ent strength on the floor of the
Senate 20 pass an effective rate bill
in spite Of the committee but that
it can never be done with the assist
ance of, nor without the violent op-
position Of the committee is as.
surcd
There is bare possibility that
the committee will report a measure
which will be passed without serious
opposition by the Senate. II is
held by some Senators that, in view
OF the public clamor for action, il
might be wisest TO pass a bill which
must inevitably be pronounced un.
constitutional by the courts. This
view is, at present entertained only
by a minority Of the committee.
The argument in lbs favor is that
while appearing TO respond to the
public demand, it could not iniure
the railroads and when declared IN
constitutional by the courts that
fact could be used as an argument
that any legislation dclegating the
rate making power unconstitutional.
The scheme is o. confer on the
courts, instead of on the Interstate
Commerce Commission, the power
TO fix maximum rate. Attorney
General Moody, In an opinion
which he submitted 20 the commit
tee at It's request, declared that Con-
grcss had the power 90 fix rates, or
TO delegate that power to a com
mission, but that we're it to attempt
90 delegate that power 20 the courts,
which are separate and co. ordi-
nate branch of government, 10 would
be unconstitutional. An opinion
ON the latter point was not request
ed by the committee and no little
dlspleasure was exhibited when Il
was found that Mr.. Moody had ans
wercd more questions than he had
been asked.
Things arc shaping themselves for
a bitter tariff debate in the next
Congress but with. apparentlV. little