Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-18
BANKS AND CAMPAIGN FUNDS
Mr. Tillman Addresses Senate on Resolution
for Investigation Of Subject, @
FOSTER SPEAKS on THE RATE BILL
Louisiana senator says Railway by
JpIimited Use ~ InJunctions
Could Annuir AII Effects Of
Proposed Law.

" ash A@Nh YIN. ~ NHsf Nil ~ - ~
ccding the taking up Of the railroad rate
bill in the senate todat Mr.. Tillman called
up his resolution directing the senate
committee on finance TO enter upon au
investigation of the question of campaign
contributions by the national banks, AMI
after he had spoken at length the resolu-
tons were offered to tie finance com
mittee.
In his speech Mr. vriliman read letter
from New York banker. suggesting that
the auditor OF the republican national
committee should be called to give tes-
timony concerning the contributions 10
the republican fund Of the last campaign.
Mr.. Tillmsn- said that tie, would not con
fine the inquiry to the republican COM
mittee, but would extend it to the demo
cratic committee. He again referred 10
the affairs of the Walsh bank of Chicago,
and in that connection was engaged I'm
sharp controversy by Mr. Hopkins, who
declared the Walsh bank not TO. he insol
vent lie also said in reply TO a ques-
ton from Mr.. Tillman that Mr. Walsh
had not been indicted
Foster Speaks on Rate BiII.
Mr.. Foster spoke for almost three hours
on the rate bill, contendng FOR the valid
ity Of the proposed legislation, urging Is
necessity in order to check the growing
powers Of the railroads aud announcing
his support OF a. broad court review with
a prohibition against temporary injunc-
tions in rate cases by the inferior federal
courts. When he concluded he was
warmly congratulated by many of his
colleagues. .ta ~ %.
After reviewing the legislation looking
to rate regulation, Mr.. Foster said It was
a mistake to think the present demands
h,,f conditions ar
from modern business and demand for
a square deal and equal opportunity IN
commercial affairs Mr.. Foster quoted
from presidential messages to congress
touching upon the need for legislation
upon this subject TO show that the ques-
ton was not a partisan one, republican
and democratic presidents alike recogniz-
ing the needs. 'F
Discussing the pending legislation, Mr..
Foster said that unless the provisions of
the rate making section are passed such
failure on the part of congress will give
impetus to government ownership, and so
far as he was concerned he would be will
ing to forego any objections he had to
other portions of the bill in order to pass
that section. He gave it as his opinion
that the railroads not only are giving re-
bates, practicng and discriminating
against localities, but are equally guilty
of exacting unreasonable rates. .,.
shippers Are Helpless. ...
Mr.. Foster said that the country is be-
coming restless. not. so much because of
excessive rates as because Of the utter
! helplessness of the shippers in the face of
the railroads. lie described the result of
this cOmbinati on- hotbed of monopoly
Mr.. Foster announced his support of Mr.
Bailey's nonsuspeHSion amendment.
He discussed the charges of unconstitu-
tionality made against the bill, saying that
II the charge was well founded our gov
eminent falls sfar satsft of the hopes and
purposes under which, it was established
and the sooner rthe people find this out
the better it will be Eor~the country"
Mr.. Foster discussed at some length the
question OF a review by the courts of the
findings of the commission. While he had
| every confidence in the commission, he felt
that there should be a check upon the
| exercise nf its power because of the dan
ger of it's abuse. II the commission vio-
lates the law by fixing unjust and unrea-
sonable rates, the courts should be open
to the railroads for the judicial determine
ton of, the case. .-s .... ......-,.
Opposes Use OF injunction. ....'
Discussing the question of the suspen-
sion OF lne ORDERS OF the commission by
the inferior court Mr., Foster declared him
self to be opposed to use of the writ Of
injunction because he believed that the
railroads would use 1t 80 as to practically
annul the work of the commission.
After discussing the effects OF over
capitalization of the roads, Mr. Foster I'M
dertook to say that consolidation was the
order of the day, and he declared that
without control Of the corporations the
people would be without any protection.
"It is inconceivable that such power
as the railroads exercise should be welded
| without disturbing business interests of
the general tranquility" he said THE
railroad men would be more than human
II they did not occasionally put to tyran-
nous use their great powers"
Mr.. Foster concluded at 4:5O p. M. and
Immediately the senate went into executive
session, adiourring at 5:SS p. m