The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-06-09
CORPORATION CONTROL.
Record OF Democrats Beyond Re-
proach-Republieans Divided
on This Issue

The democratic record on control OF
railroad rates is beyond reproach from
the peoples standpoint Not only has
the democratic party declared conun-
ually in its platforms for control OF
public monopolies. but the votes OF
democratic members Of congress have
been uniformly cast for controlling the
power OF railroad corporations TO
charge exorbitant rates. In the last
congress the democratic members were
unanimous for the Davey ILL. which
provided that the Interstate commerce
commission should have the power 70
tx maximum rates. but this bill was
voted down by the republican majority
The Esch- Townsend bill which was
passed by the house OF representatives
and which the democrats voted for.
In lieu OF a better measure. was much
more complex than the Dayey bill IL
had some good provisions but lacked
the plain and direct conditions OF the
bill that the democrats proposed. Why
the republicans forced a bill that was
complex and uncertain IN many Of its
pFONAnlyuS fhu NC INAbN1 ~ NANAA
position on railroad legislation.
For ten years the interstate COM
merce commission has asked congress
to grant II more power 10 deal wi.h
the railroads especially the power 10
tx maximum rates During all these
years the republicans have controlled
congress. but beyond passing the FL
kins bill. which has done more harm
than good TO the people, which bill
the railroad combinations favored. no
legislation for the relief Of the people
has been accomplished
President Roosevelt has taken up
the fight for the people against the
railroads and has declared substantial
" for the democratic contention. but
a large faction Of his party, with a
majority OF the United States senate.
are secretly opposing the legislation
he recommends This opposition OF
many OF the republican leaders to con-
trolling the railroads was 10 be expect
ed. for they and their party have been
receiving campaign funds from the
corporations and IN many states IL is
notorious that che railroad attorneys.
agents and lobbyists have dictated the
nominations for state and federal off,
GERS IN most Of the republican conven-
tons As the democrats in the last
congress proposed the policy which the
president has adopted so they will con-
tinue this policy in the coming con
gress. AS long as President Roosevelt
continues 70 recommend Legislation
that agrees with democratic platforms
and principles he NAV rely upon th'
support OF all true democrats. Th'
problem Of the coming congress IS how
many republican members viii b
found honestly aiding the democrat
and the president to control the rail
roads.
The exultant democracy OF Chicago
through the Irocuois club. promised q
stand BY the present. even to the en-
OF aiding in giving him a third term
II such IS necessary TO complete tn
reforms he has initiated That extra
ordinary statement from political OF
ponents shows how strongly the bus
ness men and other voters Of the coun
try feel on this paramount issue @
controlling railroads and other corpora
=, tons Whatever course the republican
! majority in congress may take III
democracy may be relied upon TO vot
, for any plain. STRAIGHTFORWARD BILL tina
Will give the interstate commerce com
! mission power 10 fix maximum rate
and will cooperate with the presider
and the faction Of his party that b
represents IN passing such legislation