The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-01-18
CHANDLER SEES CONSPIRACY

CHANDLER SEES CONSPIRACY
William e. Chandler, once secretary of tn
lavy and formerly senator from New Hampshire
believes that there is Matching in congress a cor
piracy against the rate bill This Is his poin
# view:
1t is now conceded that to prevent over
whelming republican disaster In the con-
gressional elections next November, bill
must be passed giving the interstate COM
merce commission power when rate Is
shown to be unreasonable to fix a rate to
take its place. The railroad plan, therefore,
is to put poison into the commission pro-
vision for court proceedings. There are
twelve republican members OF the house COM
mittee and six democrats. The republican
members are to be induced to act together
as a unit and all are to agree TO support the
clause majority OF them may agree upon,
both In the committee and In the house.
At least seven OF the republican members
against five are to be induced to adopt the
poison clause and the railroads are sure
they can carry 1t through the house by re-
publican votes, and sure that they can pre-
vent the senate from striking 1t out. This
plan Of the railroads is likely to succeed. An
attempt will be made through the cabinet to
induce the president to agree to the poison
clause and to advise it's adoption.
Consul General Bray recently forwarded
from Australia to the department of commerce
and labor report of the government0Wned
and operated railways in Australia, In Whlcn
he shows from the official figures that the
net earnings of the state roads for the last
two years were as follows: For the year end
ing June 80, 1904, $19,761,6 SAG; and for the
year ending June 80, 1905, $22,745,5OS. These
official figures cannot fail to depress the mag
mates of the American railway systems who
are not only plundering the people but are
debauchng the public servants, eleyating TO
positions of power and mastershlp polltlcai
servants and bosses who can be relied upon
to fight all efforts looking toward the nation
securing the enjoyment and benefits OF the
enormous earnings of its public utilities
Arena.
Mr. Hamlin like other advocates OF the
present policy of letting the railroads charge
as they please, subject only to the sway OF
local and individual influences, disclaims any
intention of defending policy of favoring
one section in railroad rates at the expense
of another. but this is what he really does
Let 1t be assumed that the costs of ranspor-
tation vary according to distance-and In
rough way this is true subject to the modify
ing effect of station or loading charges on
long distance rates. Now take the Bos
ton BuffaloDenver Observation-Disclosures being
nearer 10 denver tnhH bostpH ny souiS WV
miles Mr.. Hamln thinks 1t perfectly fair
that Boston should have the same rate or
total charge to Denver as Buffalo. The
charge on Boston transportation Is either
profitable or Improbable 10 the railroad from
Boston to Denver. III IL Is profitable. then
Buffalo In that case Is being overcharged and
taxed for the advantage OF Boston. and tho
undue advantage Of the railroad company:
IL II Ii Improbable. then Buffalo IL paying an
unreasonable high rate TO promote Boston
interests. by no possibility whatsoever can
the rate or charge be made the same In both
cases without unreasonably and unfairly help
Ing the one locality ut the expense of the
other. Now New England cannot afford to
stand on any such proposition as that. II de-
mands justice. not special fayors at the ex.
pcnse Of possibly more favored sections OF the
country than this.--Springlled Republican.