The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-20

Continued. From First Page: 50

thus far no heed has been given by
congress to his suggestion.
The long and short haul clause in
the interstate commerce act grew out
kof practice which was common.
Freight from Rochester to California,
for example, was sent to New York
and brought. back thru Rochester on
it's westward trip in order to get the
at deplorable disadvantage. 1t was
cheaper for Kansas City to ship it's
freight to San Francisco via New York
and then by vessel around Cape Horn
than directly to the coast.
The interstate commerce law OF 1887 ,
enacted in Mr.. Cleveland's first term,
prohibited special rates to individuals
and undue preference to any particu-
lar locality. It prohibited, except under
| exceptional circumstances, higher rates
for a short distance than for longer
one, which includes the former, and
prohibited pooling.
! The Present Movement.
The failure of the interstate law
to accomplish Its objects to the pub
lie satisfaction, altho it.. has been of
some advantage, gave rise to the pres
ent movement in congress and over
the country for rate law. 49,,
This movement was opposed by the
railroads just as a similar movement
had been opposed prior to 1887, and the
statement was made repeatedly in con-
gross and elsewhere, that there was al
ready plenty Of law to correct evils
com planned of, and that all that was
necessary was to have it properly en-
forced Against the determined atti-
tude of the president, however, this
Q opposition could make no Roadway.
The president rallied public sentiment,
and focused it rupoIt CONGRESS. The
house passed the bill he wanted, Just as
}!Townsend bill Of the year before. and
the senate, which at first adintimated
that. it would :, do nothing that he
wanted, finally. came around to his DO
sition and passed the house bill with
a series Of amne&dsf ents almost as i'm.
portant in character as the original Bill
f>r II n M !, -c 9Li5 -. .:5f = ~ -
r. ~.| AAe oieolC 10 1'ooseVeAV:' ,'5'>
i In the opinion of the president. this
piece Of Hesitation viii be ' fbe crown r. wv \:
ing glory Of his career. tits certain
THAT there would have been no legisIa
ton at all but for his insistence. This
credit is given him by his enemies
! even such an enemy as Senator Tillman
! Notwithstanding the Conflicting claim,
as to court review, the president is per
h heetly sat1snea W1tn What the senate
receiving CONGRATULATIONS. many o:
them by wire. - - > - :
There is no mistaking the fact that
he believes he has won on all substan
j tiaI points. The legislation Of 1881
i did not have a leader such as Roose
veit. It was enacted because of tht
political fear of the power nof til.
granger vote, which had been ORGANIZED
; and was to be cast against all oppon
ents Of the bill.
What these millions of voters forcet
from congress, the president almos
single handed, the people back of him
but unorganized, has forced from it
and it is victory as notable as an,
won by public man in this country TO
a generation and in some of it's aspect
the most important enactment Of con
gress since reconstruction DAYS.
There will be 10 further agitation O.
the rate question and no further effort
| I at legislation. unless the supreme court
: before which the entire act must pas
r in review, should decide that in som
} vital particular. it is defective an,
) relief. This cannot be determined a