Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-23
ays Inference that Railroads Control
Bench is Infamous.
SPooNER TALKS ON AMENDMENTS
Takes Position that Congress Cannot Change
Powers of inferior Courts,
HOUSE ASKS CONFERENCE ON STATEHOOD
Foraker objects 90 BeverIdge's Motion
TO Appoint Committee, Alleging
He Does Not Represent
senate's Position.

WASHINGTON, March 2.-The railroad
rate bill occupied practically all OF the time
of the senate today. There were two
speeches, one by Mr.. Lodge and the other
by Mr.. Spooner.
Mr. Lodge spoke in advocacy Of his
amendment looking to the enlargement OF
the Interstate Commerce commission, and
in doing so replied sharply to some utter
ances by Commissioner Prouty. Referring
to an interview by the commission Mr..
Lodge spoke first OF an utterance by Eu-
gene Debs and then said that IL was not
capable Of doing much harm as Mr..
Proutys statement He outlined New Eng
lands attitude toward the rate bill and
said that with the mileage system estab-
lished all the manufactures in New Eng
land states would be destroyed,
Mr. Spoonei devoted his attention to the
constitutional powers Of the inferior courts,
contending that those courts could not be
destroyed nor their jurisdiction taken from
them. He engaged in controversy with Mr..
Rayner over the power of congress to de-
prive the courts Of the privilege of sus-
pending the findings of the Interstate Com
merce commission and the discussion closed
with the usual exchange of courtesles be-
tween Mr.. Spooner and Mr.. Tillman.
During the day Mr.. Beveridge. as chair
man of the committee on territories asked
for the appointment OF conferees to meet
the conferees appointed by the house on
the statehood bill, Mr.. Foraker promptly
objected to the selection OF the senate rep
resentatlves on the suggestion of the chair
man of the committee saying that that
gentleman did not represent the sentiment
OF the senate.
The disposition OF the subject was post
poned until tomorrow.
TEyla H.,
olution' extending from June 10 to August
IS, 1906 the time for opening to entry the
ceded portion OF the shoshone or Wind
River reservation in Wyoming was passed.
Rate Bin Taken Up.
The railroad rate bill was then taken TN
and Mr.. Lodge addressed the senate Il,
support of his amendment providing for
I the displacement Of the present Interstate
Commerce commission by ono of larger
number of commissioners and with longer
| terms of Office and better pay He said
that the object Of the provision was TO
strengthen the commission. SO as to insure
for it the support and respect of the pub
| lie. There seems" he said. ito be a
tacit understanding that IL the rate ques-
tion is referred TO the Interstate Commerce
commission all will be well. We go on the
theory that king can do no wrong"
II was MS pulDOSts nc Sdlut 10 snow tnHt
was not necessarily the case. He then out
lined the vast interests that would be en-
trusted to the commission and read a care
| fully prepared statement relative TO rates.
| as indicative of the vast magnitude Of the
entire subject.
/ Mr.. Lodge referred disapprovingly TO the
decision Of the present commission to enter
upon campaign. together with commercial
bodies, to secure the amendment OF the ex.
listing laws
"Will the senator point out how this pro-
ceeding differs from the course OF other
executive officials In their efforts to secure
changes in the law?' asked Mr.. Dollfver
and Mr.. Lodge replied that the Iowa sena.
tor was prompt in defending what had
not been attacked"
He added that his purpose had been TO
point to this service as one Of the com
missions multifarious duties.
Mr. Foraker expressed the opinion that
the course had been reprehensible. and
Mr.. Tillman suggested that in view Of the
supreme court decisions the Commission
had found it necessary to hustle about to
get the law changed"
| Mr.. Lodge made reply to a speech made
In Boston by Commissioner Prouty in which
! the latter had expressed the opinion that
the New England senators were pursuing,
| a mistaken course in the question of rate
regulation, cOntendng that the eastern
states would be better of with railroad
regulations like those Of Iowa. He then
proceeded to show the dissimilarity between
the conditions in the two localities and
contended that it would be utterly imprac-
ticable to apply the same conditions I'm
railroad management.
Iowa and Massachusetts.
Mr.. Lodge called attention to the fact
that the population Of Massachusetts had
increased. while in Iowa it had retrograded
Mr.. Newlands inquired II the tarifs had
not built up industries in New England.
Mr.. Lodge said he would not enter upon
a tariff discussionI that he was endeavor-
ing to answer Mr.. Proutys speech at
Boston wherein he said New England waE
suffering from unreasonable rates.
Mr.. Lodge dwelt upon the power OF the
commission to help or inJure any section
| Of the country. He referred especially to
rates ixed on a mileage basis, saying that
under such system every manufacturing
industry In the state would be destroyed {"
He admitted. however, there was no such
a proposition In the pending bill that hiF
purpose IN mentioning It was 10 show the
enormous possibilities OF such a system.
Mr. Lodge denied the charge that haIl
dozen men In New York make the railroad
rates for the country. He said that in
Massachusetts alone 1921. 10000 OF railroad
securities were held and no less than
s152,OOOOOO Of the money held in savings
banks was thus invested.
With It's varied interests, he said, New
England desired railroad legislation, but
desired also that IL should be carefully
guarded.
He referred to current criticism OF the
courts and said that body would continue
20 perform its duties regardless OF them.
He pleaded for fair treatment OF them,
saying that mo greater harm could be
done than TO breed distrust Of the courts. -
He quoted an interview with Eugene v
Debs concerning the arrest Of the ofticers
OF the Western Federation OF Miners in
connection with the recent murder OF Gov
ernor steunenberg OF Idaho. Debs
| reInedy, said Mr.. Lodge. va CIVIL war he