Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-05-05
ELK|NS ON RATE BILL.
West Yirginiaa Makes a Notable
Contribution to Great Debate.
NOT A RAILROAD SENATOR

*N&f1@ y " 49,
State and After That For the Inter
ests Of All the People - Points Out
Defects In Hepburn Measure.
Senator Stephen d. Elkins of West
Virginia, chairman of the senate COM
mittee on interstate commerce, made a
memorable speech on the 9th instant
ON the Hepburn railroad rate bill. Mr..
Elkins' practical experience in the con
struction and operation of railroads
and his familiarity with railroad rate
questions as they rave come before
congress periodically in recent years
served to give to his speech unusual In
ferest. He was given the closest atten-
ton by all his colleagues, n at the
conclusion of his speech was warmly
congratulated upon his contribution to
the great debate on the railroad rate
question. The editorial comments In
the newspapers throughout the
try have been highly ~commendatory OF
the speech and suggestions proposed
by Mr.. Elkins for solving the railroad
rate problem. No other speech de-
livered on the subject has elected such
wide and favorable comment from the
press. At the very outset DIR. Elkins
toek occasion to say in answer to Ger
tain criticisms: Because of my sup
posed interest In railroads 1t is charged
and believed that | favor the rail-
road side of this question. This has
been so often repeated that l am
sure 1t will be p~ardonable il | say, In
justice to myself, that my interest on
the side of the shipper is ten times
greater thar on the side of the rail
roads and that my interest in railroads
is confined to those in my own state"
Stands For West Virginia.
Prefaclng his remarks with the state
ment. 81 stand, first, for the interests
OF the people of my W state, which !
am proud to represent in part on this
floor, and after that for the interests OF
all the people of the United States"
Mr.. Elkins launched at once into a dis
cussion of the Hepburn rate bill. Said
he: mo amendments were allowed In
the house and none was allowed in
the senate committee on interstate
ALTHOUGH there were some
fifty submitted to the committee by Its
members. 1t is the opinion of many
senator's who have given the subject
careful consideration that the bill
should be amended and In q way that
will remove doubts as to its constitu-
fionality and make its provisions clear
err and stronger in the direction of af-
fording remedies for existing abuses.
49, haartflv fha nhfarfG and mr.
poses of the bill. and / will vote for
IL, but | want to make it a better and
stronger bill. My chief objection to
the bill is that ii does not go far
enough. II makes no attempt to pro
vide remedies for many existing abuses
hy railroads, especially in the state of
West Virginia senator Elkins said
that unlSss the Bill was properly
amended he feared it would prove a
disappointment e the people.
~aI believe In rate regulation of inter
skate commerce by congress in the in
eerest Of the people" said the senator.
Il believe congress has the power to
M rates of interstate carriers and can
authorize under proper restriction q
subordinate tribunal to carry out its
viii In this regard" I
Mr.. Elkans explained that he believ-
ed in the right of review by the courts
Of the orders of the commission affect
ang the rights and interests Of carriers,
shippers and localities alike and in the
right Of the courts to suspend the or
ders made by the commission, but only
upon requiring a deposit of money in
court pending the determination Of the
case to be paid to the shipper in case
the order of the commission lowering
a rate was sustained by the court. He
said If it could be done legally he would
prefer that the order of the commission
changing a rate should remain in force
until the final determination of the suit
TO set it aside.
Mr.. Elkins met the conditions which
have been alleged to exist in connec-
ton with the Red Rock Fuel company
IN West Virginia and one or two other
corporations that claimed to be dis
eliminated against by the refusal Of the
big railroads to grant them the necesSa-
ry switches and connections to market
their product. Railway corporations
are mere creatures Of the law and ex-
list by the will and consent of the peo-
pie and in the interest of the people. /
believe interstate carriers should be
prohibited from transacting any other
business than carrying freight and pas
sengers and from doing any business in
competition with shippers and indie
pendent operators. that they should
make a fair distribution of cars with.
out discrimination and put in upon rea'
sonable terms all necessary switches
and sidings to accommodate the needs
OF shippers and promptly make connec
tons and fair and just prorating ar
rsngements with branch and latera
lines. The time mas come when the
people demand that railroads shall be
law abiding"
In Accord With President.
The senator explained that he was II
hearty accord with the presidents de