The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29
WHOM

To TIN EprroR or The SUH-Sir: On june
a. 1905, the Republican national convention
met at Chicago and adopted this plank;
Laws enacted by the Republican party which tho
Democratic party failed to enforce. aud whieA vefo
10, ended FOL ths protection OF the public against the
unjust discrimination the illegal encrCaohn'en'
OF vast AggrgAiions OF capital. haze been lear
lessy enforced by Republican President and new
laws insurng reasonable publicity rs IN the opera
lions Of great corporations and providing addl-
,onal remedies for tho prevention OF discnmina'
ion In freight rates have been passed by Repub-
ucan Congress.
In this record OF achievement during tho past
eight years may be read the pledges which tho ne
publican party has fulfilled We promise to continue
these policies, and declare our constant Adner-
10 the following principles.
Among tho principles which follow this,
that Of giving more power TO the Interstate
Commerce Commission is conspicuousy
absent
On Julys. 1904. the Democratic national con-
vention met at St Louis and adopted rad
ically different plank az follows:
We demand an enlargement OF the powers OF tho
Interstate Commerce Commission. TO the end 'hA'
the travelling public and shippers OF this Govern
ment may have prompt and adequate rehel rom
the abuses to which they subjected In the matter
OF transportation. We demand strict enforcement
OF existing civil aud criminal statutes against All
such trusts, combinations and monopolies' ana Wo
as may be necessary to ereoiually suppress Them
During the campaign the Democratic can
dldate. Judge Parker. said little II anything on
this subject Mr. Roosevelts one published
utterance during the campaign did not touoh
thereon.
Shortly after the election OF Mr.. Roosevelt
we began to hear that his message TO Congress
was to take II UP, On Dec. o. 1904. there ap-
peared in his messag e these words
-. -. 81
act now needed as regards the regulation OF cor
porations IS this act to confer on the Interstate
Commerce Commission the power TO revise rates and
regulations the revised rate 20 at once into cf
feet and TO stay in effect unless and until tho court
OF review revcrses It,
Early in January. 1905. Mr.. Bryan. who had
been Judge Parkers chief opponent at the
Democratic convention and had twice been
the candidate of that party. called on Presi-
dent Roosevelt at the White House; and he has
since been loud in tho expression OF his cordial
approval OF this part of the message.
on Jan II, 1905, Mr.. John Sharp Williams.
who had been chairman OF the st. Louis DEM
ocratio convention and Is the leader OF that
party in Congress. introduced bill III n.
i7B5O) TO empower the Interstate Commerce
Commission to Ak transportation rates in GER
tain tingencles, which reads az follows
That when. hereafter. the Interstate Commerce
Commission shall declare a given rate for trans
portaton OF freight passengers unreasonable
unjustly discrminatlve II shall be the duty ofthc
Commission. and IL is hereby authorized 10 perform
that duty 10 declare at tho same time what would
be a fair. Just. and reasonable rate In lieu OF tho
rate declared unreasonable and tho new ratio so de-
clsred shall become operative twenty days after
notice.
That whenever In consequence OF the decision OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission. rate has
been established and declared as fair. Just. and
reasonable. and litigation shall ensue because OF
such decision. the rate nxed by the Interstate
Commerce Commission shall continue as the rate
to be charged by tho transport alton company dur
ing tho tendency OF the litigation and until the de-
cision OF the Interstate Commeroe Commission
shall bs held to be error mai judgment of the
questions involved by the United States court hay-
ing proper appellate Jurisdiction.
Vhntdocs al this mean7 Has the President
hypnoiiged Mr. 6rydn and Mr.. Willisms2
or has he, in his Efforts TO round UP the South
gone over to the Democratic party7
This inquiry is made by one who 10 con-
sistent Republican and voted for Mr.. Roose-
velt and who would like to know.
New YORK Jan %. VoTEE.