The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-01-30
Maxwell Talks
HOUSE MEMBER ON
RAILROAD BILL
Council Action Will Have
No Effect on the House
Bill.

Of Canadian county provides for the
creation Of a railroad commission
with power TO regulate freight rates,
end IS similar in many respects to the
I b by Mr. Francis which was turned
a.. By the Council on Friday when
S,sked what slfcct the action Of the
Council would have on his bill in tho
House. Mr Maxwell said. None
whatever. EXCEPT to give some Of the
weak ones an excuse to hide behind
AS ] understand it the Council reject
ed Mr Francis bill for the alleged
reason that It would conflict with the
organic act. was aware and | so
'old Mr.. Francis, that his bill contain
~ two or three mconstitutiot N pro
v,e,o,.s, but to say thut any railroad
t.sairissian lsw wculd be IN consti-
tutanal is TO make statement that
Will not hear the sea9chlight Of trntn
do not pose as n cohstnutioaal law.
yc- hut viii have to be shown any
provision in the crganic act witch for
tids The terrific al leeislaturc from
creating raih5ad commission and
conferriug upon sula commission
amp.e n1we and authority to super
wise rail- aia and repllhte freigh,
rates within -Lr territory article six
Of tho organic act Says the legis.
lativc power OF The territory shall ex.
tend to an rightful subjects Of leglsla-
tiol aot Inconsistent with the consti-
tuition aud laws Of the United States
which is cqpal to the power of any
sovereign s,ate
Another alleged constitutional OBJ
lection e. the creation or railroad
commission is based on article nine OF
The organic act. which says that the
judicial power Of said territory shall
Ne vested in supreme court. district
courts, probate courts and justices Of
The peace Surely this cannot be IN.
terprcted to mean that nc other Of
fcer or official hudy shall possess pow
or Of judicial character If So the
judicial acts Of our county commis-
si0ners, territorial school land board
territorial board of equalization, po-
lice judges in cities, anc many other
officials must be declared Illegal and
Of no effect.
objection No 8. il eaten the driSJ
Of the opponents Of REFORM railroad
legislation. is based on tile fact that
the Chociaw and Santa Fe roads are
operating unuer charters issued by the
federal government and are not. there
fore. subject to territorial control
Granting the suth of this atlegation
is it net legcai TO suppose that IL
freight rates are reduced on an other
roads the Chocte and Santa Fe Will
have to fall In lire TO protect their
businessa Another point worthy OF
consideration. Both the Santa Fe az d
the Choctaw arc operating in direct
violation OF the acts - congress con
ferring their charters. The Rock Is.
land system acquired the Choctaw
road by methods diametrcaiiy opposed
TO the decisions Of The supreme court.
IN fact. there is pen ling n congress
now a bin by Representa- Curtis
Of Kansas, to lagalize the transfer of
the Chcctaw (a1d it's charter mind
yonl to the Rock Island system
mr.. Francis bill provided fer the
election OF railroad commissioners
which would oe in conE;ct with sec.
tion seven OF the organic act. bat my
bnl provides for the appointment Oi
tho commissioners by the governor
Uf coarse l would rather have the com.
lnissione-s elected by the people If II
were possible but half loaf is bet
Ter than none Freight rates IN Okla
homa are higher by 20 TO 100 per cen,
than IN any OF the surrounding states
and l contend that an honest commits
sion would save TO the people millions
of dollars annually without doing IN
Justice tc the railroads + comnds
sion composed Of the worst grafters in
the territory would not care % raise
the rates.
"To my mind the matte: OF railroa,
freight rates IS the meet Important is
sue before the people OF Oklahoma
excepting. pos sAbly. the statehood
question. You may quote me as say
ing that ! am going TO tabor assidu
ously for tie passage OF Horse Ril
No, 60 and that | shall see TO IL tina
every memher goes on record for o
against Il A."
reporter Don't you think Il woul