Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-07
ELK|NS HAMMERS
At BEN T|LLMAN
SAYS SOUTHERNER POSES AS
PEOPLES CHAMPION
Lengthy Speech on Rate Bill by West
Virginian Makes Senate Sleepy.
Bill Passed for Circutous
Cable
BY Associated Press.

by Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April Elm making
an effort to get the senate to agree
upon Il date for taking a vote on the
railroad rate bill, Mr.. Tilman made
the important statement that one week
more probably would exhaust the gen.
eral debate on the measure. He failed
to secure the consent of Mr.. Aldrich,
who said that he would not be willing
to agree to vote on the bill until it was
more nearly perfected than it now is.
During the day there were three
speeches on the rate bill. The first
of these was made by Mr.. Elkins, who,
situation demands Legislation Indicated
many defects in the pending bill. Mr..
Gamble followed in support of the bill,
and Mr.. Kean closed in opposition.
Mr.. Elkins was frequently interrupt
ed and several spirited colloquies
marked the progress of his remarks.
When Mr.. Elkins had concluded, Mr..
Gamble of South Dakota spoke in
favor of the bill, predicting that a fail
ure to legislate would result in gov
ernment ownership of the railroads.
Mr. Kean also spoke on the railroad
rate bill, declaring that congress
should not exceed the authority grant
ed by the constitution in dealing with
the question of commerce between the
bill transcends this authority, in that
it provides for regula ton of commerce
by the interstate commerce commits
sion.
TiIIman Fails
Mr.. Tillman made an Intellectual eff
fort to secure an agreement upon a
time for taking a vote on the rate bill.
He said that so far as he had been
able to learn the set speeches would
be exhausted by the end of next week.
Mr.. Aldrich objected. saying that it
was necessary to consider amendments,
and expressed the hope that the meas
ure would be so amended that he and
Mr.. Tillman might unite in the sup
port of it.
Elkins Declares Himself
Mr.. Elkins announced at the outset
his desire to secure Legislation that
would secure to the people Il prompt
and adequate remedy for the evils, in
justices, abuses and wrongs of every
kind practiced by railroads or in any
way growing out of their operation,
but he said that while he favored the
pending bill he wanted to make it
better and stronger
II stand first for the interests of the
people of my own state" he went on,
"and after that for the interests of all
the people of the United States l have
no interest that can affect my judg-
ment or prevent me doing my duty as
a senator as l see it,
He declared his principal objection
to the house bill to be that it does not
go far enough in remedying the evils,
and expressed the opinion that if
enacted into law it would prove a gen.
eral disappointment. He said that he
was in hearty accord with the presi
dent on the subject of rate regulation
and then indicated the respect in which,
according to his opinion, the bill falls
short in accomplishing all that should
be accomplished by railroad legislation.
Among these were the following: A
prohibition against railroads producing,
selling or shipping their own coal and
other like articles in competition with
other owners; a requirement that
switches shall be built where needed
to accommodate business; a require
ment compelling interstate roads to
make connections with connecting lines,
and a requirement for the fair and
just distribution of cars among ship
pers.
Commenting on these omissions. Mr..
Elkins made reply to the contention
that they could be covered by state
legislation. He said:
Law Not Invoked
"In the state of West Virginia and
nearly all the states there has been
legislation on these subjects, but for
many reasons the law is not invoked"
He had, he said, introduced amend
ments covering these defects.
1.-THE most important of them" he
said, sis the one providing that inter
state lines shall make prompt connec-
tions with connecting branches of
lateral lines and fair, just and reason
able prorating arrangements with
them
He then spoke of the great improb-
ability that additional trunk lines will
secure admission to the great cities.
"The people must, therefore, in the
future depend largely for the future de-
velopment of the country and contin-
uance in business on short lines of rail-
roads reaching rich sections"
Illustrating his point by citing the
condition in his own state, Mr.. Elkins
said:
"In the state of West Virginia and
Othpr states there are MANY mon who