St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-03-21

inserted. 1t has been found that the
Florida law is different from the Others,
in that the railroad commissioners have
judicial powers, and are state court.
When Senator Toilette was Gov. OF
Wisconsin, the legislature did not give
the Wisconsin commission the absolute
power, which the Hepburn bill would, to
the Interstate commerce commission,
over railroad rates and transportation.
On Monday Mr.. Culberson, democrat,
OF Texas, made an address OF nearly two
hours in the senate on the railway rate
bill, in opposition to Senator Foraker's
IDEAS. He spoke without notes quoting
many court decisions to prove that Con-
gress had the power to control foreign
and interstate commerce, and pointed
out what he considered the defects in the
present bill, and of the necessary legisla-
ton required to regulate transportation
charges, and explained the measures in
his own bill. He claimed that the power
to regulate commerce would also EN-
brace the power to FIX rates of trans
portation, because that transportation
was commerce. Mr.. Foraker challenged
that statement and that Congress
granted Federal charter to the Union
Pacific Railway, acting under the com.
merce clause, for he insisted that Con.
gress was using proprietary power in
fixing post-roads, rather than one under
commerce. Mr.. Culberson replied that
it was legislative power. In his argu.
ment he stated that "the grounds OF
judicial interposition are CONSTITUTIONAL;
there is no necessity of incorporating in
the bill the right OF judicial review" He
felt that Congress could delegate the
power given in this bill to a commission
that it was wise to do it, to correct the
great abuses, and exercise wholesome
and restricting influence. He received
many congratulations at the close.
Mr.. Simmons of North Carolina, Mel
son OF Minnesota, and Rayner of Mary
land have made speeches during the week
IN the senate on the bill. Mr.. Rayner's
address brought out pretty lively de-
bate and some sharp retorts. He believes
that discrimination is the real issue and
he is ready to vote for the bill. Mr.. Mel.
son was also ready to vote on this bill.
He believes that Congress can vest the
commission with pc wer, but the exercise
of that power was administrative and
not legislative in nature. Senator Bailey
OF Texas has returned and he has differ
ent view which some OF the democrats
think is not constitutional. Senator
Tillman stated his views on the bill and
believes there should be amendments. If
there not some action in the Senate,
ito grant speedy relief through com.
mission. there will be an outburst of sur
prise and indignation which will shoot
over the country" And it will be
paramount issue in the next election he
thinks.
NJ T. Clapp, chairman of the COM
merce commission, in a recent address,
has given some facts in a nutshell.
There is government ownership or super
vision of the railroads in every country
but the United States. There should be
sworn annual statement OF business
done and of rates and charges made by
the eight large systems of railways
valued at $11, 100000 with daily
earnings OF SIS 100000. 1t is known
that man connected with one system
is also interested in Others and not only
those men control the railroads, but
they are at the head OF leading industries,
banking firms, oil and steel combinations,