The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-15

Won't Delegate His Vote to Any
One.
Wants to Know What President
Wants.
is FOR RATE REVISION.
Opposed to ch-ToWnsend Bill
Because Illegal.
Congressman Murdoch Asks
Pointed Questions.
IS FOR RATE REVISION.

It was announced in a Wichita dis
patch in Tuesdays State Journal that
Senator Chester I. Long had declined to
comply with the request of the Wichita
Commercial club. and declare his posi-
ton concerning the question of rate reg
ulation. Mr. Longs reply to the Com
mereial club was quite lengthy, and
amounts simply to an elaboration of the
reasons which he has already set forth
concerning his refusal to commit him
self
MI. Long was frequently interrupted
during his speech by sharp questions
from Congressman Victor Murdoch and
J. E. Howard, well known Wichita
shipper. It seemed from the tenor of
these Interruptions that Mr.. Long did
not have the sympathy of his audience.
It is also rather significant that W. r.
Stubs, in an interview at Kansas City
yesterday, also warns Senator Long that
the time has come for him TO get right
on the railroad issue. Mr.. Stubs said:
Senator Long would better line up with
the solid sentiment of Kansas. Every
one in the state is with the president
on the question of rate legislation.
understand that Senator Long is holding
back because a senate committee is go
ing to introduce a bill to cover the mat
have time to investigate the new bill"
Topeka politicians are not surprised
at the attitude which Mr. Long has
taken.
After having gone as far as he did,
said one old time political authority
yesterday, Long could not possibly go
back; it would not do at all for him to
capitulate to the demands of the Wich-
tia people. His only play now is to
stand pat"
This is evidently the way Senator
Long looks at it. He said in his speech
yesterday afternoon:
The resolution you present to me, af-
ter reciting that there is an effort being
made to secure the passage of an act
comforting additional powers on the in
terstate commerce commission express
es the fear that the senate may not con-
cur with the house of representatives in
this legislation, and urges me to an
nounce my support of it now, and later
on to use every means in my power to
secure the passage of the measure CIV
ing to the interstate commerce commits
sion this additional authority.
This resolution is entirely different
from that reported in the newspapers
last Sunday morning, for in that the
statement is made that it was the sense
Of the Chamber OF Commerce that I get
on the right side of the rate question
and stand with the president in his en-
deavors to get just and equitable freight
rates.
when I saw that statement in the
papers, / suggested that as / would be
in your city for several days the proper
course to pursue was to present me the
resolution personally in order that 1
might make some observations upon 1t.
This request on my part has been ac-
ceded to and the resolution has been
presented accordingly.
THE resolution as reported gave the
inf that against the DTeS1-
dent on this proposition and urged me
to proceed to get right. As presented to-
day the resolution urges me to state my
position now; and later that I use every
means in my power to secure the pas
sage of the measure.
Why He Can't Comply.
In substance it urges me to support
the Esch-Townsend bill which was
passed by the house of representatives
at the last session Certain criticism
has been made upon my refusal to state
definitely what bill I shall support in
the senate 1 purpose to state to you
somewhat in detail the reasons why l
cannot comply with your resolution L
cheerfuIy accede to your right 10 Pc
titiOn me to do this. / take no oftenSe
at your urging me to support the mea-
sure that you believe TO be in your IN
/ terest.
The right of petition is inviclable
and is conceded by all % be tire proper
course to pursue on the part of con-
stiruents to make known their wants
to their representatives. I do not wish
it to be understood that L have no
sympathy with the principles of your
demands, or that believe there is no
reason or cause for your request for
addition legislation. Everyone admits
that the conditions touching freight
rates in different parts of the United
States, and especially in this state, de-
mand additional legislation. Ny posi-
ton on this general question is well
known and has been repeatedly stat
e..
Turning to Mr.. Howard, Senator
Long said: You know what my posi-
ton is on this question
No" replied MI. Howard
you do not know where I stand%
Il do not"
I have written to you many times
and have explained to yeu my posi-
ton
Mr.. Howard replied: You have
never come out and stated to me your
position You have had considerable
/ correspondence with me but you have
never told me where you stood.
1.-THE constitution provides that. The
congress shall have the power to regu-
late commerce with foreign countries,
among the several states and with the
Indian tribes
Under the decisions of the courts
/ congress can exercise that power by
/ fixing rates to be charged in the future
( between points in the different states;
CT it can say that the rates must be
reasonable and leave to. some sub
ordinate administrative body the duty