The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-23
SENATE WRESTLES
WITH RATE BILL
Mr.. Clay Warns Of Government
Ownership Agitation if No
Legislation.
(By Assoctated prna.1


WASHINGTON, D. c., January ~
me question OF regulating railroad rates
occupied practically all Of the time OF the
senate to-day, Notwithstanding no bill
with that end In view has been reported
from the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. Tho discussion OF the subject was
In connection with Mr.. Clay's speech.
Messrs. Aldrich, Foraker. Bailey and New
lands being the principal participants, In
addition to Mr. Clay himself
Mr.. Clay advocated the passage Of q
bill which would give the Interstate Com
merce Commission power to regulate rates
when complained of. and said that II
there was no Legislation along that line
the country might count on an agitation
OF the question OF government ownership.
In that connection. he referred to tho
large vote given Mr.. Hearst In, the late
New York municipal election as an indica-
ton OF the popularity OF municipal own
ership OF the public utilities.
Mr.. Clay took issue with statements
made earlier In the session by Mr. Fora
ter in opposition to the constitutional
right Of Congress to delegate its author
ty to regulate interstate commerce. say
Ing that on account OF the vast number
Of complaints liable to arise, 1t would be
Impossible for Congress. with its other
pressing business, to give anything like
adequate attention to them.
Public Control.
Referring to the Hearst campaign for
the New York mayoraity, he said
IT have never been follower OF Mr..
Hearst. Who had the remotest idea OF
the strong following which he developed
In that race? 1t was not the man; II
was the platform on which he made MS
race-government ownership. l do not
IN, ff
roads. l recognize the fact that the
vast number OF employees engaged in the
work of operating and building these
roads would be largely under the innu-
ence Of the party in power In control
of the government. Such power would
enable the party IN control OF the gov
eminent to hold 1t for all time TO come.
The only way TO turn public attention
from public control Is government reg
ulatio by law
During his speech Mr.. Aldrich asked
Mr.. Clay If complaints would increase
or decrease II the power to fix rates We're
given to the commission. The opinion
was expressed by Mr.. Clay that II the
mower were given the commission. a
majority Of disputes would be settled by
.b,nrers and the roads, arM complaints
wonia therefore be diminished In num-
ber.
Couldn't Agree to Vote.
AT O clock the merchant marine p,h
vas laid before the Senate. and MI. Cat
,,nger asked the Senate to agree to vote
an the bill on February Eth, but Mr.
PANEL objected on the ground that the
mon cure had not been sufficiently con-
sdcred by the Senate He said that ne
had no purpose to prevepS vote o. the
bill. Mr.. Gullinger then suggested Mhrch
Eth but to this Mr.. Mallory objected.
Mr.. Clay then continued his speech on
the railroad rate resolution. DE SAID
there seemed to be an idea that III aii
Instances tho Interstate commerce Sotii-
mission would decide against the rail-
roads but commended that there was no
1usttfcution for such contention. 1t was
10 he presumed, he said, that the COM
mission would do Justice to all parties
far more impartiaily than would either
the carrier or tho shipper.
He did not contend that Congress had
power to delegate authority to originate
laws, but 1t had power to fix a basis.
and then authorize a body OF It's creation
to develop tho details.
Eyaded G. O. P. Forecast.
Mr.. Aldrich Indicated q purpose to OPP
pose such legislation as that outlined by
Mr.. Clay, and declared that Mr.. Hearst
was the author OF the proposition to con-
fer the rnte-makins power on the com
mission. He also took occasion to de-
clare that the signs of the times point
to the naming of either Mr. Hearst or
Mr.. Bryan ns tho next Democratic pres
dental candidate, but when pressed to
Indicate the probabilities In the Repub-
lcan party, declined to make predic-
ton, and also avoided answering e. query
of Mr. Bailey as to whether the Presi-
dent. would BIO candidate for third
term.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
HOIlSE RIISY WITH