Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-11
STRIPES
FOR vIOLATORS
ALL MUST OBEY INTERSTATE
COMMERCE LAW
Senator La Toilette Thinks Men Who
Have No Respect for Measure
Should Be Sent to
Prison
BY Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, May 10.-In connec-
tion with the consideration of the rail-
road rate bill Senator La Toilette to-
day attempted to secure the imposi-
tton Of imprisonment for violations of
the provisions of the interstate com
merce law.
He proposed terms from one to five
years in addition to fines of from $1,000
to 100000 for unjust discrimination for
false representations to secure busi-
ness at less than the established rate.
Calling attention to the fact that the
Elltins act had removed the imprison-
ment penalty, he claimed that the eff
feet had been a rapid increase in vio-
lations of the law. He expressed the
opinion that If congress wanted to
make the law effective it would reim-
pose the Imprisonment provision.
No Convictions Made
Senator Dolliver called attention TO
the fact that there had been no con-
viction under the old act, and said
that the change was made in the
| opinion in congress that more could
be accomplished by a penalty omitting
| the imprisonment feature.
Nevertheless he intended to vote for
| the amendment because he believed
that "the great representatives of the
property interests should be compelled
| to show the same respect for the laws
as the common people"
He said that the president of a
great railroad company had said to
| him that the railroads could not be
expected to obey the law.
Senator Bailey expressed surprise at
Mr. Delivers statement, saying that
| IL the law had not been enforced the
officers of the law were more to blame
| than the offenders; they were, he said,
of the two classes far the more culpa-
BILE. Restore the penalties" he said.
Would Make Examples
"Put two of these rich offenders in
| prison and their stripes will be an
| example to all of their kind. If they
will not obey the law let us put them in
the common Jail. where they will be
| compelled to obey it,"
Mr. Lodge offered an amendment re-
storing the penal provisions of the
act of 1887 as a substitute for Mr.. La
Follette's amendment.
After further discussion Mr.. Lodge
accepted as a substitute for his amend
ment one prepared by Mr.. Stone re-
storing the penalties of the old law
in different form than that of his own.
| The sLodge-Stone amendment was
adopted by vote of 40 to 81, and the
ried by vote of 73 to 2, the two Mega
tive votes being cast by Senator's Gal
linger and Pettus.
Amendment Agreed To
Mr.. Tillman proceeded with the
presentation of the commissions sug-
gestion in detail.
controversy arose over the conf
missions suggestion requiring the
schedules of carriers to cover the
transportation by water as we'll as by
rail-
Mr.. Aldrich objected, contending that
the effort was to enlarge the provisions
of the first section and that it was
therefore revolutionary. The amend
ment was agreed to.
| Mr.. Warren presented and the senate
accepted an amendment requiring that
in time of war preference shall be
given to the transportation of troops
and munitions of war.
Rebate Question Taken Up
| The question of rebates paid to ship
pers was then taken up. The question
arose in connection with an amendment
Offered by Senator McCumber provid-
| ing that any shipper receiving a rebate
from a carrier shall be fined to the ex-
| tent of three times the amount received.
The North Dakota senator said the
amendment was intended to prevent
shippers from continuing their practice
of demanding determinations, saying
that the great trusts were the principal
offenders against this requirement He
declared that the trusts have the rail-
roads in their power and added:
I'VE have been very careful so far
in this legislation not to interfere with
them, Notwithstanding they are prac-
tlcally responsible for all the rebates"
| Id I.Ar1 LII
also impose the penalty of imprison-
ment.
The amendment was agreed to with
out division.