Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-01
WIDE RANCEOF RATE DEBATE
Mr. Campbell of Kansas Sweeps Horizon Of
Trust Evils.
FIRST SPEECH IN oPPoSlTIo
Mr.. Perkins OF New York objects to
Any Government Control
of Business Enter
prises.

WASHINGTON. Jan. a.-Discussion of
tho railroad rate bill continued in the
house today. Incident to it two speeches,
the efforts of Mr.. Campbell CkanD and Mr..
Martin IS. d. took a wider range and
swept the horizon of trust evils gener-
ally. Mr.. Bartlett (Ga), a minority men1-
boz of the committee reporting the bill,
made two hours speech, In which he dis
cussed the legal and constitutional ques-
tions involved and advocated the passage
Of tho bill as a proper remedy for an in
tolerable condition.
The first speech in opposition TO the BILL
which concluded tho days discussion. was
made by Mr. Perkins IN. " lie based
his opposition to government control OF
rates on an inherent aversion to govern
ment control of business enterprise. Red
tare and fixed conditions, he said. were an
irseparable part of government action ON
any matter. A bill was passed granting a
federal charter to the Carnegie foundation
for the advancement Of teaching. The fund
cor ssts of 100000 the income of which
Is to furnish pension to retired edu-
Gators.
Campbell opens Discussion.
Right to dam Rock river at Grand De-
tour, ILL.,, was granted by the house today
before the discussion on the railroad rate
measure was begun. The discussion was
opened by Mr.. Campbell CKan).
With the avowed intent ON of reaching
the Standard Oil company Mr.. Campbell
offered an amendment, which he will press
later, emphasizing the placing of all pri-
vate car and transportation facilities un-
der the regulation of the Interstate Com
merce commission. He quoted from the
testimony of railroad officials. showing that
the beef packers practically make their
own rates; the Standard Oil company had
dictated I'm the same manner: poultry, fruit
and dairy products were subject to the
same control
Reverting to the Standard Oil company
Mr.. Campbell declared: But yesterday
they issued decree TO the attorney general
and the governor of Missouri that further
prosecution of a suit now pending in the
court against them must be stopped or they
will destroy the value of billions and Bill
lions of property within the state of Kansas
and the Indian Territory.
"Ye gods" exclaimed Mr.. Campbell, after
he had read a statement from an officer
of the Standard Oil company announcing
| that If the prosecution in Missouri did not
cease the producers of oil in that section
| would lack facilities to market their prod
uct THE power of monopoly stopping
the prosecution of suits pending In the
courts by threatening the innocent pro.
ducer
And the beef packers today in Chicago
| are claiming immunity from prosecution
| for crimes committed because they ad.
mitted their crimes under what they con-
sidered to be an implied understanding
| that they would not be prosecuted"
Georgia Man supports Measure.
Asserting to the provisions of the bill
! and regarding no excuse as necessary foI
uIitng with the majority i'm the report
| from the committee Mr.. Bartlett CGa) gave
an extensive analysis OF the rate problem.
! The railroads, he said, had appealed tC
| the constitution to escape regulation by
| the states and were now appealing to the
same document TO escape federal control
He limited the credit due the president
saying: While it is true the president il
two messages has urged legislation of thi,
| character, he is not entitled to the credit
OF having originated the proposed legis
| lation.'
! Mr. Bartlett declared the railroads had
within the last six years increased freigh
rates 50 per cent and yet had not RAISED
| the wages of employees.
! speech of south Dakota Member.
| An exhaustive discussion of the develop
ment of trusts and monopoies and theii
! effect on business was indulged in by Mr.
! Martin Is. d., who has a bill pending tC
! control such organizations. Raising prices
T., for commodities and fTeights and dlscour
agement of individual endeavor were tn,
result of the sitting OF competition.
Mr.. Martins bill provides federal con
troll over corporations through publcit,
features and stock watering restrictions.
Mr. Perkins IN. " followed in opposi
| tion to the bill
A bill was passed giving a federal char
ter To the Carnegie foundation for the ad
vancement of teaching. having been called
up by Mr.. McCleary (MinnD He explained
| the purpose of the corporation to be t
administer a 100000 fund donated by Mr.
Carnegie the income from which is TO b,
applied TO pensionng retired educators.
The house adjourned at 5:l7 o'clock.