The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-26
CUMM|NS TELLS
ELK|NS He IS A
RAILROAD TOOL

Des Moines, Ia, March 26.-Governor
Cummfns has mailed 10 Senator Elkins
vi west Virginia reply to the senator's
letter In which he criticised statements
made by the governor In speeches TO the
voters or Iowa regarding his examina-
tion before the senate committee on inter
state commerce. when 1t had the Railroad
hate bill under consideration
The governor says that the senator ac-
cuses him OF falsehood I'm declaring that
MS cross-examination was hostile: that
hn attorney or the railway companies sat
al the right OF Senator Elkins during the
examinations; that Senator Elkins APP
peared TO be in communication and sym
pathy with the attorney that the at
torney handed to Senator Ell<ins ques-
lions 10 be asked the governor.
III says the governor in this letter
10 the senator, you understand your
duties and obligations as chairman OF a
legislative committee 20 be similar TO
those OF an advocate, have no criticism
20 make OF your conduct. except 10 say
that you were on the side OF the railway
instead OF on the side OF the people.
i have thought. however. that as chair
man of such a committee your duties
and obligations were more nearly like
those OF a Judge. namely. to hear both
SUES WllnOut DlhS, OF
ard then to decide impartially without
fear or favor.
You heard patiently. but II was clearly
apparent I'm your cross-examination that
you had decided the case IN favor OF the
railroads and were determined 10 shatter
my evidence II you could. The cross-ex-
animation shows concluaively that you
had made up your mind that the proposed
authority ought not TO be given TO the
Interstate commerce commission, and
that the power sought to be given was
unnecessary, dangerous and filled with
disaster to commerce.
1T was from beginning TO end just such
a cross-examination as an attorney for
the railways companies would have con-
Quoted, and Il was unseemly FOR you to
essume that attitude.
THE scene I'm your committee room is
sharply stamped on my memory. and II
Is impossible that | can be mistaken
about II. Sitting squarely at your right
hand, Just a trifie behind you. sat a gem
tleman who. as i was afterward Informed.
Is ex-senator Faulkner. / inquired what
relation ne bore TO the investigation. and
] was told that he was an employe OF
the railway companies TO resist the pro-
posed law.
II do not know whether the other
senators saw him or not, for their faces
were turned toward me, and therefore
away from him; but l do know that you
saw him--frst, because he was so close to
YOU that you could not turn your head
without seeing him; second because you
were in conversation with him a part OF
the time: third. because / saw him, with
his hand on your sholdsr. pass To you
questions which you returned and then
put to me- There can be no mistake about
this for my senses were as alert just
then as human faculties can be.
you may believe that an investigation
carried on In this manner IL In accord
ance with fairness and decency l do not.
You may continue your belief II you like.
but / shall continue in my denunciation.
'It appears 10 me that II you propose
90 assail all persons and papers and
magazines that have admitted your loyal
ty to the railroads and questioned your
fidelity TO the people, you should give
some attention 10 the attacks that come
from points nearer Washington than
Iowa.
THE truth is, Senator, that YOU have
fairly established the reputation OF stand
ing for the railroads In the United States
senate. IL is most unfortunate that any
senator should acquire such a reputa-
tion among the people of the country.