Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-28
Y. T. 0DELL ON
CORPORATIONS
Des Moines Attorney Delivers
Strong Address Before High
land Park College Students
DANGER OF CORPORATE GREED
odeII Claimed Greed of Corporations
Exercise Most BalefuI Influence in
Nations Affairs = Lays Blame to
United Senate and State Legislators
Candidacy for District Attorney.
.pecial to Times-Republican,

Special to Times Republican
Des Moines, April 2S.-Taking as the
keynote of an address before the stu
dents of Highland Park College the
statement that this country can not
endure under corporate domination,
Attorney w. Z. Odell of this city de-
livered a strong address in which he
stated that 1.-The tyranny of corporate
wealth, that is today exercising such
a baleful influence in the administra-
ton of the affairs of this nation, is
the danger that confronts the Amer
lean people today. No question since
the time of Washington compares with
1t in Importance" In the address Mr..
Odell touched on the rate question
and the enthusiasm of the students
proved the wide spread interest in the
subject. Mr.. Odell is carrying out
we'll laid plan of campaign against the
domination Of the corporations and to-
day stated that he was in the fight to
remain till the end. Mr. Odell was
the author of two bills which have
been presented to the legislature di-
rected against the present government
of the railroad commission.
In his address before the Highland
Park College students Mr.. Odell laid
the blame for the condition of affairs
to the failure of congress "for the last
thirty years to exercise it's authority
to curb and control railroad service
and railroad rates as applied to inter-
state commerce.
Continuing, he said: "The state gov
ernments have been nearly as bad in
discharging their duty to the people
of the different states in this important
particular. If congress and the state
governments had been as loyal to the
people for The last quarter of CEN
fury as they have been to the railroads
and trusts it would have been a phys
ical impossibility to have built up
these great industrial combinations
that are today depressing the business
interests of the country because the
trusts depends upon concessions made
lie generally"
After discussing the legal phases of
the question as to whether or not con-
gress has the power to fix rates, Mr
Oden showed the consistency of the
senate in acquitting Judge Swayne for
riding on a pass when every member
Of the senate had pass in his pocket
and ridiculed both the house and the
senate for not seeing the ludicrous side
to the matter of impeaching judge
for riding on passes and then riding
on passes themselves. Carrying the
matter further he severely condemned
the house for attempting to vote to
itself $4,000 for mileage during the
interim between sessions when there
was no interim.
In closing he said: "The senate Of
the United States can put an end to
this distracting controversy for the
house has responded to the strong pub
lie sentiment that is abroad in the
land, whether or not in good
faith, am not certain. Wheth-
err the senate will free itself
from the domination of cor
porate control time alone can tell.
We are hopeful but not sanguine
Senator Elkins, the author Of the Ell
kins rebate bill that increases the rev.
enues Of the railroads. 1t is estimated
s15 900 annually serves notice on
the American people in a recent inter-
view that the senate will never confer
upon the interstate commerce commits
sion the power asked for by the people,
and that the arbitrary right to fix the
freight rates of the country, which
amounted last year to nearly $1,000
100000, shall remain forevermore IN
the hands of the general managers OF
the railroad companies" He further
stated that he hoped the time would
come when every one would be on the
same footing and competition, not
combinations would fix the price Of the
necessities of life.
Mr.. Odell in a private conversation,
stated that the suggestion of his name
for railroad commissioner was sur
prise to him 81 am not candidate
for anything, and don't expect to be-"
said Mr.. Odell. II am interested in
this fight, however, and expect to stay
in it 10 the end. I was astonished to
read in Everybody's Magazine that the
corporate domination in Iowa had cost
the cattlefeeders of this state $12,500-
600 during the year 1904. I believe
this is the greatest question before the
people ard that it will remain live
issue till it is settled right. I never
held a public office but once and that
was when the people elected me may
or when I was away from home, and