The Washington times., 1906-01-30
Michigan Congressman
Charges Efforts to Dis
credit Administration.
SAYS THEY PLOT DELAY
Representative Dramatically
Declares in Ringing Speech
People Demand Action.

Startling charges We're publicly made
by Representative Charles Z. Town
send OF Michigan. today, in his
speech in the House, opening the de-
bate on the Hepburn railroad rate
bill, reported unanimously by the Com
mtttee on Interstate Commerce. He
declared that the opposition had en-
deayored to discredit the Administra-
tion IN various matters in order to
distract attention from this great ques-
tion. He predicted that "dely will be
caused, wherever possible. in the vain
hope that something viii happen yet
70 prevent final action"
"The Peoples Wrath"
He spoke of a lobby, rich and pow
erful," of ''unwarTanted interferenCes
with the peoples rights" of "dicta-
tion of the nomination and election of
legislatures" by the corporations. He
warned them that to further oppose
railroad legislation might bring upon
them the fate which an indignant peo-
pie is sure to visit upon the corpora
tions, who, believing that they are
above and beyond the law, seek TO be-
come a law unto themselves"
Representative Townsend. with Rep
resenUatiVe Esch Of Wisconsin, was the
joint author OF the railroad rate bill
that passed the House last year. In
a long and carefully prepared speech
the Michigan statesman went over
the situation today.
lie spoke Of the bill passed by the
House last year. The advocates which
knew, or felt they knew. that the re-
q-Trements of the people would never
be less and that delay would simply
increase the demand Tor more radical
railroad legislation"
This statement. that the people would
demand more this year than they did
last had been circulated by the car
riers and favored shippers. he said with
the cNBlauutiOtH THAT business inter
ests had been threatened and that dis
aster was liable 10 follow
Business Not Disturbed.
a year has passed" Mr. Townsend
continued. and yet business has not
been disturbed; Tailroading has extended
its operations, Increased its mileage and
improved its facilities and equipments in
an almost unprecedented manner. thus
furnishing conclusive answer to the car
riers' own arguments Today we offer a
now bill. and / present il to YOU now as
i did the one of last year. with the
statement that il is probably the least
the people will accept. II confers wider
powers than its predecessor, for the
reason that the demand is for a greater
exercise of the Governments control
over public carriers. II may not remedy
every defect IN existing laws TO which
every complainant has called the Inter
state Commerce Commissions attention.
but il is believed that il viii he suffi-
Cient TO cure every defect against which
any considerable objection IS made
The committee, or at least q majority
E.Hf HaHa h.fs
within the constitutional powers OF Con
gress. but that il is clearly an express
sion of the duty OF Congress to the
American people
Private Car Lines.
He outlined at length the provisions
OF the bill and spoke of the gross injus-
tice that has been done the people Of the
United States through special services.
such as the private and refrigerator car
lines. we believe" he declared, that
the bill effects a complete remedy for
these evils
He criticised the means employed bv
some OF the opposition to rate legisla-
IiOn.
ITO me it has seemed" he said. that
a systematic effort has been made 10
discredit the Administration in various
matters in order TO distract attention
from this great question, and I have no
doubt that delay viii be caused wher-
ever possible, in the vain hope that
something will happen yet 10 prevent
final action. As one OF the younger and
most humble Republicans in the House.
let me admOnish my party associates
I'm both Houses that this question will
not down. nor viii il much longer brook
delay. The people have spoken. and ev-
cry day 30 us their command is more
imperative. The day of grace may be
passed and the objectionable sin of
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