The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-08

Mr. Murdoek Thinks Congress
VIII Tap Railroads With One.
Apparently Disheartened at
Prospect for Rate Regulation.
WHAT HE WOULD HAVE
Wants Powers of Commerce
Commission Enlarged.
hr. Campbell Also is Dissatisfied
With Situation.
WHAT HE WOULD HAVE

Washington, Jan $50 far as the
railroad rate question is concerned. it
may be stated that the disposition of
the administraton-the president and
those who are his friends in leadership
Of congress-is toward a measure not
necessarily a compromise. vet acceptable
to the people ana the railroads, if such
a thing is possible. Such a thing is not
impossible and it is not a compromise
that viii be futile.
Representatives Murdoch and Camp
bell do not appear to be satisfied with
the present situation. Mr. Murdoch may
have modified his views TO some extent,
and is perhaps not quite as radical as
he was two months ago, but he is still
one of those who demands radical re-
forms in rate legislation. Congress. in
all Likelihood, viii not enact such legis-
laton as viii satisfy in every respect
the young representative from the Sew
enth Kansas district
Mr. Murdoch affects to believe that
there has been trimming as he terms
1t, and he dubs the very probable regis
lation as of the ''makeshift" variety.
Discussing on this line, he says:
1T looks to me as though theve is
something i'm the dark in this railroad
rate legislation business. AS nearly as
] can figure out the result congress is
liable to tap The railroads gently with
feather buster and then shout to the
people, Watch us club the railroads.
The bin I want to see passed should
include the following provisions.
IL Giving power to the interstate
commerce commission to amend rate
and make the amendment operative.
80 Enabling the commission to en-
force uniformity in railroad books.
''3. That full access shall be given
inspectors to all railroad books and ac-
counts.
"a. That i'm case Of injunction pro
ceedings against the findings Of the
commission the findings of the commits
sion shall be prima facie evidence be
fore the courts of the facts.
-. Providing for some revival within
constitutional lines of the old long and
short haul principle
IF congress viii pass such a bill the
railroad can be controlled and rate dis
elimination prevented absolutely"
Representative Campbell does not
like the way the committee on inter
state and foreign commerce acts in the
house of representatives. He has a
DILL introduced almost the first day of
the session. to declare private cars
common carriers. Tt also provides that
railroads shall not accept shipments
from shippers when the goods to be
transported are offered in private cars
owned or i'm any manner controlled by
the shipper.
Mr.. Campbell has tried unsuccess-
fully TO have a hearing on his bill at
the hands of the committee. This has
been denied him. Hence his feeling.
The committee told him there would
be no hearing. The first section of his
bill he was informed. being that sec
ton making private cars common car
Tiers, would be included in the railroad
rate legislation; but the second section
which was most important. lin his
judgment, would probably not even be
considered, though having been re-
ming.
1T looks as though Mr. Murdoch and
Mr. Campbell viii take consfdera BILE
part i'm the debate, making the strong
speeches OF their congressional careers
question