Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-15

PEOPLES WRATH is klNDLINe
u Flood Gates of Popular Indignation
Are Hoi.ted, Fine Grinding Will Be
pone-TiIlman Discusses the Bill and
Suggests Some Amendments He Be-
,isves Will Strengthen the Bill.

Nsves Will Strengthen the Bill.
Washington, March 15.-'T say unto
you here. love your enemies said
Or. Hale in beginning his prayer OPEN
Ing the senate today. but Platt was
the only senator present to listen to
the admonition. The chamber was
soon filled, and by the time Tillman
took the floor to present his report on
the railroad bill there was an average
attendance. The report was awarded
the Unusual distinction Of being read
ct length.
Senator Tiilman today presented to
/ the senate his report from the commit
tee on interstate commerce on the
house railroad rate bill, which ex-
pressed his Views but did not pretend
to speak for any other member of The
committee.
It embodied the first clear and con-
else statement of the differences con-
corning court review features and oth-
er proposed amendments that had
( made unanimous report from the
committee impossible.
Without he,sitancy, the senator de-
clared 1t to he his belief that the bill
should be amended, but that amend
ments should not be Of character to
impair or prevent the accomplishment
Sof the objects Of the legislation, which
are set forth best, he says, in the
presidents message to congress. He
emphasized tile need Of regarding the
measure as nOn-partisan, but predict-
ed that the issue created will be para
ton. As to the effect he said:
Those who are responsible for de-
lay or inadequate legislation will find
that when at last the flood gates of
. popular wrath and Indignation are
hoisted there will have been some fine
grinding done.'
There would follow cyclone Of
passionate resentment" said Mr.. Till
man In predicting what would be the
] result Of failure on the part of congress
to meet the widespread demand for
railroad rate legislation. He declared
that woe will be the harvest Of any
member of the; senate or house whose
work in formulating bill to regulate
railroads lacks earnestness or honesty
Of purpose, and who shall seek to be-
little the question or kill the bill by
subterfuge and deception. The con-
st1tution gives to congress the power
to regulate the railroads, he contended,
and there are rnany wrongs to right.
The bill as 1t came from the house
a SMr. Tillman characterized as loosely
worded and capable OF different inter-
pretations. Discussing the alleged in
adequacy of the measure he said 1t is
the duty Of the senate to make such
amendments as shall produce the best
possible law and relieve the distress
and wrong, the existence Of which no
one will deny" In thus commenting
upon the bill, Mr.. Tillman said he can
claim to give expression to no opinion
except his own. The object sought,
he added, best can be outlined in the
language OF the president in his last
annual message to congress, and from
eAis the senator spoke extensively:
Mr.. Tillman pointed out that it Is
generally supposed that the pending
measure embodies the well digested
views of the executive and those Of
take" After enumerating the essen
tials changes from the existing laws
regulating interstate commerce, he
stated that the most important is
found in section 15, in which power is
sought to be invested in the interstate
commerce commission "after full hear
ing upon compliant to determine and
prescribe what will in its Judgment
be the just and reasonable and fairly
remuneratfve rate -. to be hereafter
observed in such case as the maximum
to be charged and to make an order
that the same shall go into effsct and
remain in force for three years, which
order shall "go into effect thirty days
after notice to the carrier and shall re-
main in force and be observed by the
carrier, unless the same shall be sus-
pended or modified or set aside by the
commission, or be suspended or set
aside by court of competent juris-
}diction." Concerning this section Mr..
Tillman said:
"Around the first provision the most
earnest and exciting contention has
arisen, and there is great difference
Of opinion as to the scope of this
clause and the executive powers OF the
commission under It. On the one hand.
1t is claimed most positively that cons
sgress can not delegate its powers to
the commission and thus authorize it
to fix rate, while on the other hand,
1t is asserted with equal earnestness
and force that this power is indisput-
able Whatever may be the results
Of this discussion in the senate II the
bill becomes law the final determine
alton of the question at issue must be
made by the supreme court. There is
even greater solicitude upon the aues-
ton OF judicial review.
"The friends Of the proposed 1egisla-
ton are equally earnest with its oppo-
nents in desiring to throw every pro-
lection around the billions Of capital
invested in railways of the United
States
Mr.. Tfilman added that at the same
time the cries Of the people are de-