The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-12-28
STANDS BY TEDDY.
Congressman Conner Unqualih-
eddy FavorsRoosevelt Plan.
.FAv0Rs RATE REGULATION,
Judge Conner Busyat Home this week
But Finds Time to Out Line Work
Of Congress.

in close touch with affairs. IN all parts
of the Tenth District. He will return
to Washington, the last of the week
and will spend New Years day in the
Capitol City. In response to the Re-
views request, Judge Conner has
found time, however, to give brief
outline of the problems and difficulties
confronting the present congress. All
of his constituents will be glad to
note that he reiterates emphatically
the position taken by him at the be-
ginning of the agitation, in favor of
rate regulation. Judge Conner says:
"In answer to your inquiry as to what
may be expected from the present
Congress in the way of legislation, |
might say that there are number of
live questions which will be up for
cosideration. The rate question absorbs
more attention than any other, in
view of the fact, presume, because
the people generally are most inter
ested in it. The President, in his mes
sage a year ago, and in the one deliver
ed to this Congress, clearly defines his
position, a nd indicates his purpose to
secure legislation before this Conrgess
adjouns. What is desired, is that the
inter state commerce commission shall
be given power when complaint is
made against an existing rate, to fully
investigate the complaint, and if sat
isfied that the rate complained of is
unjust, unreasonable or unjustly dis
criminatory, to substitute another
rate, which shall go into effect within
reasonable time, and remain in force
until set aside by proper tribunal.
The scope of the legislation desired is
frequently misunderstood, and some
times purposely misrepresented. The
object is, not to give the commission
power to initiate rates, but to substi-
tute rate where the one complained
of by the shipper is condemned by the
commission. The law to be passed,
in my judgment, will embrace private
car lines, switches, private cars and
the like, all of which heartily favor.
My prediction is that before the ses-
sion closes, such legislation will be
enacted as will settle the agitation
which has existed for some time.
Another question which will be dis
posed of at this session of Congress is,
that Of Statehood for the Territories
of Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico
and Indian Territory. The plan most
in favor seems to be to admit Oklaho-
ma and Indian Territory as one state.
The insurance question is attracting
a great deal of attention, and especial
ly since the investigation by the Arm
strong committee in New York. The
disclosures brought out in this inves-
tigation have attracted the attention
of the people to the vicious methods
employed in the management of these
great institutions. Insurance of late,
is not regarded as luxury, but nee
essity, and the disposition of the law
maker is to find way to regulate
and control it. A number of methods
have been suggested, but up to date,
no one plan has received the endorse
ment of {. majority of either branch of
Congress. In view of the decision of
the Supreme Court of the United
States made approximately forty years
ago, that insurance is not commerce,
the question arises as to the power of
Congress to regulate it as inter state
commerce. There is feeling that
if this power does not exist, there
will be some difficulties in the way of
securing proper regulation, in view of
the fact that the states seem indispos-
ed to move with. sufficient celebrity in
the direction of regulating them. The
matter will be given most thorough in
vestigation. / am rather disposed to
believe that if Congress declares that
insurance is commerce, and subject to
regulation, that when the question
shall come again before the supreme
Court of the United States, it will
treat insurance do q community WHICH
can be bought and sold, and subject to
regulation as interstate commerce.
The Supreme Court of Iowa, in a late
case, holds insurance to be commerce.
The Panama Canal question is with
us, and will remain for some time. 1t
is stupendeous proposition, and will
require the greatest care in carrying
out the project to successful conclu-
sion, in order to avoid criticism and
scandal. The interest which the peo-
pie generally are taking in it, | think,
will insure such careful scrutiny of
the expenditures, that the danger of
extravaganza will be reduced to the
minimum. have perfect faith in the
honest purpose of those in charge of
the construction of the Canal, but
when you reflect that $1,000 people
are now employed on this great work