New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-24
VOTES R. R. INQUIRY.
HOUSES ACT UNANIMOUS
Talman-Giliespie Resolution In
dorsed in Speeches.
Iron Tho Tribune Bureau. J

Iron Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington. Feb. 23-The Tillman- Gillespie
resolution directing the Interstate Commerce
Commission TO investigate and report on rail-
road ownership Of coal and oil lands and prop
critics and monopoIes and determinations in
the transportation OF those products. passed the
House to-day without opposition. and will be
presented in the Senate on Monday. when Sem
stor Timan viii move concurrence. The indi-
cations are that the resolution in it's amended
tgm, which is less general in character than
1ten presented in the Senate, will promptly
become a law.
The original Tillna- resolution included the
,nvestieation OF railroad interest ownership
ana control in all other products besides coal
and oil lands and properties. This language
yss changed in the House When the resolu-
,ion is approved by the President. the operation
Of the law will require an immediate investi-
ration by the Interstate Commerce Commits
s5on and a report at its earliest possible con-
veuienoe
The commission II is said. will have great
5,@culty in furnishing the complete report called
sor without the expenditure Of much time. but
many facts relating TO the subject in general
ere already in the possession OF the commits
s,on. and these will be furnished first Already
overloaded with work, it is expected that there
will be some delay on the part Of the commits
sior, in completing Investigations ordered. The
resolution In one way Will make the work Of the
commission easier. il makes the obtaining or
..stir,ony from railroad officials on the part Of
the commission compulsory. whereas the law
be-s,ofore has given the commission only dis
-.+,,,.-,- ,,ovrer in obtaining testimony. The
o--.-ization Of the Interstate Commerce Com
ission * already perfected for investigations OF
the kind required.
The debate on the resolution occupied an hour'
and consisted 90 a succession of speeches. III
pronunciation OF alleged practices ana an IN
dorsement Of the proposed investigation.
NJ Townsend. Of Michigan. presented the
resolution with unanimous report from inc
Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee.
In explaining the resolution. Mr. TOWNSEND
said:
This resolution was born Of settled eonvicjion
NJ, he people as reflected in Congress, that mus
dee ana wrong are being done them by certain IN
interstate carriers Of coal alo on hat n is
he duty OF Congressman. when great SoIhpiStIsrs
are presented by numerous citizens or hlsh chat
scter against conditions which are alleged inJurl-
C,sv 70 affect producers and consumers OF t4e ne
TlainTs with view 20 determining. trst whe5heF
he complaints ere well fonna s Sr' TosSiiIe
whether existing laws being violated. ana
,birS n any new legislation Is necessary.
II Rss been confidently alleged that certain rail-
ros6 COMPANIES have large holdings OF coal ano OH
a c5T sses ofaoers Of these roads own sufficient
~ lie stock Of oil and coal companies. when used
- convection with the stock owned by roads. 10
enable them 10 control such companies; that by
reason OF such ownership, dealings ana collusions
tile great necessities OF nlooern ne Dos 90
oil are made more expensive TO the consumer. ana
q ,s re 1rodt,nts are Injured II not ruined
II is alleged that hundreds Of owners OK coal
lion Tor the reason that the roads which under the
lsr should serve them either fail entirely IN fnI-
rishinG the Of transportation or else iurlsn
them SO inadequately 10 make operation unprot-
49, ,,- -, .t, csr orl,, he that every con-
EU1er Of coal and oil is subject 10 the prices OF
monopoly which are those OF extortIoh anu ~
Re adequate 10 reach these evils II they are lounu
70 exist but there can oe 10 ,ect its Citizens
against q It's law made creatures ana "Ie6 a
publicity reveals evil Congress viii be able ana
The resolution as originally presented 10 the
ton 10 biturainous coal The Senate resolution in
GUIDED al other Products Ihe genueL a5 a iIor
hacked by facts showing that oil should he ineud
e. The committee believes that carriers OF az
kinds Of coal and oil should De me sInyecls oI
investigation and that the Interstate commerce
aosSon saoelG make srfs n its 0ossession re-
lsung this subject; IL has an organization l9r
the work and information should be immediately
This irvestigaiion should be made promptly. fear
honest carriers who are striving faithfully
the public: il is but just 10 the people that on
may whether It is serving the public as IL IS
entitled 70 be served
Mr.. Grosvenor briefly Endorsed the resolution
and explained that he believed ii would accom-
plsh much in showing certain railroad managers
that Congress was not so puerile and ignorant
OF passing events as 10 be satisfied with the
explanation Of conditions made by certain rail-
road officials.
Ny. Gillespie. Of Texas. joint author of the
resolution, said that since its Introduction ne
had received many letters from both Democrats
and Republicans. and that II half what he heard
was true there was a system Of commercial
brigandage prevailing compared 10 which the
Desperate Of pioneer days was child
The House devoted the remainder OF the day
10 minor matters and passed several bills among
which was The famous Mussel Shoals Dam DILL
which was before the House from the President
VINO returned u with suggestions from the sec
rotary q War as 70 amendments. The bill per
lnits the creation Of an immense water power on
the Tennessee River in Alabama, and has been
PENDING before Congress for several years
MO DAMAGE.