The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-02-09

In the House, which after some discus
. sion was passed by that body. No &C
ton was taken, however, by the Sen
Y ate, but after adjournment the Senate
Committee on Interstate Commerce
held extended hearings, and during the
present Congress there has been 9
Hood OF railroad rates bills In both
> houses, ranging all the way from the
, Interstate Commerce Commission bill,
} which is generally considered as the
administration measure, to bills widely
and radically different in their pro-
visions. Bills have been introduced by
Senator Dolliver Of Iowa. by Senator
Foraker Of Ohio, by Senator Elkins of
Virginia. the Chairman OF the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee. by
Senator Moran of Alabama, by Sena-
tor Culberson Of Texas, by Representa-,
tive Hepburn Of Iowa, the chairman Of
the railroad rate committee" of the
House. by Representative Hogg Of
Colorado; also the Interstate Com
merce Commission bill and various
others.
Senator Morgan recently made the
first argument in the Senate on the
rate question. in support Of his bill.
which provides for the regulation OF
railroad rates through the regular
courts OF the country. Senator Elkins'
Dill also proposes that the Federal
courts shall determine whether rates
are excessive, and provides for an in
junction against any road which Ia |
found to be charging an excessive rate. |
The bill which has been introduced by |
Representative Hogg, formulated by
Judge Peter Grosscup Of the United
States District Court Of Chicago who
rendered the decision against the Beef
Trust, provides for special railroad
court to decide all such matters.
Judge Grosscup's bill establishes seven
Courts OF Transportation, situated in
different sections Of the country, to
try the particular cases arising within
their territory. During stated period L
Of each year the judges Of the seven
courts are to meet together and hold
court en- banc In Washington or else.
where, Just as the Supreme Court Of
the United States sits together for a
stated term, after having held individ 4
lal court In the different Federal dis q
riots OF the United States. There is y
light OF appeal from this Court of 9
transportation to the Supreme Court .
u the United States. It Is argued in
avor Of this bill that inasmuch as
abroad rate matters, even where
hey are decided upon by the Inter
tate Commerce Commission, must A. 81
ally 60 to court, the matter can be Il
by having them considered Al
the beginning by this Court Of hi
transportation. Also that this Court Ell
Transportation having no other 81
uslness to attend to, can try the rail- RI
BAD cases much more quickly than d
10 regular courts, while the members an
Ill be experts on the subject, making IN
70 subject the study of their lives tn
ne Grosscup bill also continues the So
ork OF the Interstate Commerce us
with some modification in tn
'ganization, authorizing that body to all
'bitrate railroad matters wherever tn
,ssible and to act "a counsel or at. be
rney for the shipper or complainant, ca
the Governments expense, wherever
~ case of controversy arises between
g shipper and the railroads. ~,
This bill is favored as a measure t -.
hose provisions overcome the danger wa
alch it Is stated would arise from
9 creation of Commission at Wash.
gton which would hold the vast rail-
ad interests of the United States in /
Q hollow of its hand. There is an
parently growing sentiment among
my people that to constitute any |
dy OF men a political commission
tn such vast power as the ability to
IKE or unmake any railroad rate on
10000 miles Of railroad in the
1ntry, would afford such an enor-
JUS centralized power as has never
retofore been dreamed of by the
st radical advocates of the central ~
1ernment idea as against the diffu.
or power among the people and
several States. 1t is realized that
n power in the hands of any ad-
nistration would, If misused in any
'ree, make poee'hle the indefinite
ltinuance in power Of that political
ty and require an absolute uprising
the entire nation, en- magse, to bring
tut political changes.
he great number Of railroad bills
10 far introduced and which are be-
widely discussed, show that there
as yet no general capitalization Of
timent on the subject and that
tesmen and supposed specialists, to
nothing Of the average individual
the country, are in a recep-
mood and seeking for Information
education on the question.