The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-15

ay5s &
rate, while on the other hand, it is
asserted with equal earnestness and
& Whatever may be the results of
this discussion in the senate, if the
bill becomes a law the final determine
tion OF the question at issue must be
made by the supreme court. There
is even greater solicitude upon the
question of judicial review.
The friends of the proposed leg
islation7 are equally earnest with its
protection around the billions Of capt
tai invested in railways Of the United
States.
Mr.. Tillman added that at the. same
time the cries of the people are de-
:manding relief foraproducers and ship
pers. He declared that it is the duty
of congress to hold an even balance
between these conflicting and contend
ing interests.
Conflicting Views.
Friends Of the railroads contend,
urged Mr.. Tillman, that congress can
not limit the jurisdiction Of the cir
cult courts, while, onthe other hand,
he added: E'It is asserted with equal
emphasis that the power to create all
courts, other than the supreme court,
rests alone in congress, and that such
limited in their scope and power by
the authority which creates Them Ho
continued:
ct myself incline most confidently
to this view and have not the slight
est doubt that it is possible to promptly
amend this bill SO as to prohibit the
circuit courts from interfering with the
orders of the interstate commerce COM
mission by any iinterlocutory order.
HThe senate must determine by It's
vote what shall be its attitude upon
the questions of court review and in
terlocutory suspensions. IF any de-
cision of the supreme court shall de-
clare that congress is powerless to
grant speedy relief thru commission,
it needs no prophet to tell that an out
burst Of surprise and indignation will
sweep over the country. H-r... !.
Railroad Earnings.
Commenting on the gross earnings
critics, Mr.. Tillman said that once a
year every dollar in the United States
passes thru the hands of the railroad,
and every three years becomes part Of
their new earnings. He asked il it is
any wonder that the railroads have the
most brilliant legal minds at their COM
mand to conduct legislation, and as
serted the struggle is between man and
money; citizenship and capital. The
final outcome, he stated, will determine
whether the people are capable Of self
government.
He discussed at length the building of
great fortunes and the manipulation Of
great properties. Summing up the stu.
alton he said: :
cit is impossible to deny that this
great accumulation Of wealth In the
hands of the few is such menace to
liberty that the honest patriot stands
appalled, by the outlook
Sees a Danger Spot.
After commenting at length upon
what he declared to be the existing sys-
tenn of juggling with railroad properties
90 for the robbery of the masses,'' Mr..
Tlllman said:
fThere is a dangerous provision in
this bill which, in my Judgment, ought
to be stricken out, in section Is, where
the Interstate commerce commission is
told to determine and prescribe what
will, in its Judgment, be the just and
reasonable and fairly remunerative
rate etc. The last words are too elias.
tic and ambiguous and can be construed
to mean too much that would be harm
ful and dangerous for congress to enact
into law. Fairly remunerative rate
on What-the actual value, or the fcti-
tlous value of the properties9 Are
railroads which now pay mo- dividends
because OF the immense amounts of
Watered stock, to be allowed to compel
the producers who use their lines to pay
a .d1vidend on the excessive capitalize
Dupes and Watered Stocks.
Mr.. Tillman declared there can be
no justice in compelling the people to
pay &c, a1Y w e1 on =. watered stock pri-
already too rich. He commended that
the "poor dupes' who have been led
to invest their savings in such stocks
can better afford to lose their earnings
than to have the labor Of the country
saddled with the burden Of paying per
petual tribute.
Mr.. Tillman recommended that
amendments to the bill be adopted
which would give relief to the "anoma
| lous and outrageous condition of affairs
disclosed as existing in West Vir
t Continuing. he said:
ao,nS Giested with, the rights Of eminent
granted liberal franchises and charters
the railroads, designed to be public
carriers for the benefit of the whole
people, in the last few years have be
come rapidly transformed into the veri
est band Of Observation-Disclosures wht
! 40 not thrust their pistols in the face.
OF their victims and demand money
| Or their lives, but who levy tribute il
freight rates which are as high as thu
traffic will bear, deny access to market
monopolize with brazen effrontery one
! of the prime necessaries Of 1ife-coa
and IN every way show their absolute
contempt, for the people and the PEG
pies rights. y II
Railroads as Producers.
"HWe should incorporate in the bill
an amendment which will compel al
railroads. to2make connections with any
and ,( every other railroad, public or pri
vate, and grant just and fair traffi,
arrangements; also provision to di
vorce absolutely the business of trans
Eportlng freight as public carrier AM
the business of producing freight to b,
transported
| Mr.. Tillman concluded with a wor,
of caution to the opponents Of the pro
posed legislation. He said:
| Our full expectations may not b.
realized at the present session Of con
gress. The opponents Of effective legis
latlon are alert, have had large expert
ence, and are thoroly organized. The,
may ignore popular clamor and eithe
/ PASS no hill at oil ar nnact ono +bo+ 49,