Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-08
AFTER THE STATEHOOD VOTE
Comment of Senators Upon the Utter
ances Contained in It.
NOT AT ALL WARRANTED
BY the Tillman-Gillespie Resolution of
Inquiry, That Was It's
Subject.


to President Roosevelts message of yes
terday in which the President gave his
views of the Tillman-Gillespie resolution
for the investigation by the interstate
commerce commission into the coal and oil
business of the country as they are affected
by transportation companies.
Senator Tliman, as he announced today,
would have made this reply at once. but
owing TO the fact that statehood has the
right of way, and as he did not care to
interfere with it, he determined to defer
his remarks until after a vote on statehood
IS taken. For that reason 1t will probably
be on Saturday that he will address him.
self to that question.
1t is understood that Senator Tillman will
not indulge in criticism of the President IN
his reply, but will simply state what he
believes to be the facts in the case in rela-
ton to the resolution that he offered and
which was passed by Congress.
There has been good deal of discussion
In relation to the Presidents message and
while senators do not approve OF what the
President said, there is little indication in
their comments that they are Inclined to
indulge In any severe language in defend
ing what they believe was entirely
proper act on the part of Congress- Re
publcans and democrats today who were
spoken to In relation TO this message OF
the President were inclined to be amused
ia Their than angered
Not Warranted by the Resolution
To very large extent senators who have
considered the Presidents message declare
that ii was not at all warranted by the
resolution of inquiry that was its subject
They state that the President lays down
three propositions in his message
First-That the Interstate commerce COM
mission should be given more authority if
N 40 tnVa tept lon mr. dad
for in the Tillman-Gillespie joint resolu-
tlon.
Second-That IL the investigation is 10 be
conducted there should be substantial ap-
preparation of money for that purpose.
Third-That the bureau of corporations is
already conducting an investigation similar
To that provided for In the joint resolution.
In the first place, there are many senators
who declare that the interstate commerce
commission now has all the authority nee
ossary to conduct this investigation.
1t is possible. however. that this view
may be courbated by Senator Spooner,
who is looking into the matter, and at the
proper time will have something to say
about it, But very largely the discussion
of the message has resulted in the view
that 1t is not necessary for Congress to add
to the commissions powers in order to have
a successful investigation of the kind con-
templated.
So far as the need for more money is
concerned. 1T is pointed out that the orderly
manner which has been followed in matters
of this kind has been for department.
when II anticipates the need of money, TO
make requisition for the same, and To
have an estimate come to Congress from
the Secretary of the Treasury for whatever
is needed. That is the way, it is said, that
the Interstate commerce commission should
have proceeded in diSposing of this matter.
The Presidents statement that the bu-
reau of corporations is conducting an in
vestigation along these same lines is not
regarded as having been made after care
ful consideration, as II Is pointed out that
the act OF February Ii. 1908. which estab-
fishes the bureau of corporations and labor,
authorizes a Department of Commerce,
specifically prohibits the bureau of cor
porations from investigating matters of
this kind. The act referring to this matter
is In part as follows:
Prohibition of Law.
THE said commissioners shalt have
power and authority to make under the di-
rection and control of the Secretary Of
Commerce and Labor dlligent investigation
into the organization, conduct and man
agement of the business OF any corpora
ton. joint stock company or corporate COM
binatiOn engaged In commerce among the
several states and with foreign nations ex-
cepting common carriers subject to AN act
to regulate commerce. approved February
In view Of that prohibition on the powers
OF the commissioner of corporations, il Is
stated that it is not likely that that bureau
has undertaken to make an investigation of
these matters that are referred to in the
Ti!lnan-Gillesp!e resolution. Such action
would be specifically prohibited by the act
authorizing the Department of Commerce
and Labor. II is pointed out by some
senator's that after the President has signed
this bill he is really without further author
fly In the matter except as he may exercise
his power in burrying up the investigation
provided for. The original Gillespie reso-
luton authorized the President to have this
Investigation made, But Senator Tillman
desired TO strengthen the resolution by
making IL in the form of joint resolution
TO be passed by both houses of Congress,
and to have the effect of law so that the
Interstate commerce commission would
have nothing to do except to proceed in
obedience TO this law in the investigation
which II provides for. The commission can
call for money through the Secretary of
the Treasury for this purpose whenever IL
sees fit, and the belief is quite general in
the senate that the commission itself will
not regard its powers failing to give 1t
full authority to proceed with thorough
investigation of the matters covered by the
joint resolution.