New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-01-07
A HOT RATE HEARING.
Mann and e. T.
Bacon Exchange Personalities.

Washington, Jan. 6.-The meeting Of the House
Committee on Interstate Commerce to-day wal
replete with sensational incidents. hearing was
being given to persons interested in the Cooper
Quarlss bill, E p Bacon. of Milwaukee, chairman
Of the Interstate Commerce Law Convention being
first heard. From the moment he took the stand
until he left It Mr. Bacon was subjected to scath-
ing rebuke by Mr.. Mann. OF Illinois, for certain
statements made by him in publication known as
Freight" well in public addresses Mr..
Mann quoted from statement alleged to have
been made by Mr.. Bacon. that, owing TO the oppo-
sition of the majority Of the two committees of
Congress- there possibility OF legislation to
restrict the carriers further
DO you think that true?" inquired Mr..
Mann.
Mr.. Bacon answered that he believed it was true
at the time.
ct know" angrily retorted Mr.. Mann. that was
a libel and Islander. know IT was false and 1
believe you knew 1t false
Mr. Bacon calmly replied that he did not want
to be classed as falsiher, which only served
further to anger Mr. Manu. who said that people
who wrote articles must be held responsible for
them.
Again reading from the publication referred to,
Mr. Mann said it was stated in Mr.. Bacon's adj
dress before the St Louis convention that over
three-fourths of the Representatives in Congress
owed their presence there to the influence Of the
railroads. and he asked Mr.. Bacon if that state
ment his
Mr. Bacon answered lildt MS rcIIlaIhS 44du DOClA
extemporaneous. but he had no recollection Of
making the statement
II believe" said Mr.. Mann, you thought any
man in the country could go out and libel any
member OF Congress. 1t fortunately is true that
people generally pay no attention to such state
rnents''
Mr. Bacon insisted he never made the state
ment but admitted saying that four of the MEM
bers of the House Committee had declared they
would permit no action any bill until definite
action was taken the COoper-Qu bill
We want to ascertain who those four men are"
said Mr. Mann
The witness. however. refused to answer. saying
it would not be proper for him to name them.
Mr. Shackleford Of Missouri then Indignantly
inquired: II ask you. sir. if Mr.. Shackeford was
one OF them
mo sir was the reply.
You went over TO the Elkins bill.' said Mr.
Mann, and because the committee won't follow you
fast enough you say We are under the influence Of
Mr. Bacon denied making the statement and
added that he had kept back certain elements and
interests in regard TO the proposed legislation He
admitted that after the revised Elkins bill was
law.
League Club in Chicago. at which, he said. at
tempt made TO influence him in favor of the
Elkfns bill. Il laughed at them" he said, when
they read the pooling clause of that bill. and said
ii had as much chance snowflake in hades.''
Mr. Bacon closely questioned by Mr.. Mann
as TO the authorship Of the bills To restrict the
carriers and said that the solicitor OF the Penn
sylvania Railroad did not draw the Nelson Coriss
bill but did draw the Elkins bill. and the Cooper
Cuarles bill framed along the lines of the latter
The Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce
to-day agreed TO take up all bills relating rail-
road rates and kindred subjects on Friday, jan
uary L. II is expected that hearings will be given
on some OF the bills and that others may be re-
ferred to subcommittee for investigation.