Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-01-10
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
HOW THE RATE MAKING DUES
TON STANDS BEFORE
CONGRESS- TODAY.
Interstate Commerce Commission
Bill - Administration Measure-The
Foraker Bill and the ElkinS Bill Al


Foraker Bill and the ElkinS Bill Al
: ternatlves.
After It's usual little furry of busi-
ness bofore Christmas, followed by the
nond4y period, Congress is now ready
70 setkle down to the serious work of
the session. Probable debate looms
mp large on the Panama Canal ques-
ton, the railroad rate issue and the
ehrtd. Of these the railroad question
- undoubtedly the most important, at
} leeat 1t is the newest subject; and
q while no legislation may be desired
on the other issues il a railroad rate
Oil Is to be passed, as is the an
nounced desire OF the leaders and the
President, practically unlimited debate
will ensue. 1t has been stated that
the House would likely act promptly.
as it did last year. but 1t is something
OF problem as to what will be the
procedure in the Senate. The Inter
state Commerce Commission rate bill
appears to have taken the place Of the
! Esch-Townsend bill OF last session.
Technically there is to be no Admins
! tration bill, which designation was ac-
corded the Esch-Townsend measure,
but with the members OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission in hearty
accord with the President. it Is I'M
derstood that the Commissions bill
contains the basis of the Administra-
tons demands.
On the other hand, the Foraker rate
I bill and the Elkins bill are the prin-
cipal alternative measures before
Congress.
The issues, then, would be thus
Joined, and the two houses would
struggle with it for large por-
ton Of the session, with the probable
ity that in the end compromise
would be reached. This contemplates
some notifications of the Presidents
measure, which will not necessarily
mean defeat for him or give him cause
for embarrassment. 1t is conceded
even by those who are avowedly sup
porting President Roosevelt's railroad
rate policy, that he is too stanch
partisan to embroil his party in dan
gerous strife on the verge of a general
Congressional election that will be
fraught with unusual Importance to
other policies which the President
heartily desires should be carried out
as Administration measures backed by
q practically solid Republican support.
Tariff revision, or REIMBURSEMENT"
is one of those policies which is said
to be close to the Presidential heart,
and a new and practical assertion Of
the Monroe Doctrine. particularly
with relation to such threatening
muddles as that in Santo Domingo, is
said to be another.
Protests From Shippers.
A rather peculiar development Of
the railroad O lestion is the action Of
great numbers of large shippers who
theoretically al the very men who
should favor stringent rate legislation,
but who are vigorously expressing
themselves as adverse to radical &C
ton. Since Congress met, great num-
bers of letters and protests have been
received from shippers all over the
country, declaring that they are ad-
verse to giving the rate-making power
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. or to any other political tribunal
The protests coming from shippers to
members OF Congress are very eff
fectiVe, since the shippers are usually
among the most influential men in
Congressional districts.
= The situation is full of possible
kxMxities and changes. the only
developments thus far being
adical public view of railroad
which is being reflected in
fe conservative attitude on the
5f the thoughtful Members of
ess and Senators. There seems
growing recognition of the
that the subject is one full Of
icate and complex conditions
ch make final action inadvisable
hout a very full understanding OF
What the practical effect OF any pro-
posed legislation would be, not only
kupon transportation interests, but up
- the hundreds of thousands of peo-
- roughout the country who COLI
Athe shippers.
Bcrats to Support President.
Fe has been such a stampede OF
REPRESENTATIVES, Son.
~ the support of amy rate bill
President may want" on
that any rate bill is good
doctrine, that many OF the
political advisers are
i'm that he may be in the
having to dodge an alliance
Democrats, which is exactly
Il the President does not want.
While it is generally believed that
Administration" bill, yet Speaker
Cannon said not long ago that while
1T was impossible TO say what Con-
gress would do, he felt convinced that
the House would not again pass the
Esch-Townsend bill. Yet the Inter
state Commerce Commission bill Is a
much more radical measure and IN
every way is more far-reaching.
Whether this is to be made the basis
of compromise or whether the Pres.
fdent will insist that a commission
appointed by him shall be invested
with this plenary power Of cOnstitu
tional egislauyc judic-
ial and executives a matter Of some
conjecture.
In connection with the foreign and
domestic policies above mentioned, 1t
is said alike by friends and critics OF
the President that he IS facing a cru
cial period. not only In his own career,
but also in that Of his own party.
Party harmony, 10 the end Of con-
tinued party control, IS known 90 be
.,,tiAn OF inanirlng q rnnliun With prna-