The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-06
FAMOUS SENATORS.
SUPPORT RATE BILL
ELKINS PLEADS TO
FORTIFY MEASURE
West Virginian Approves Presi-
dents Plan, but Wants
Stricter Provisions.

Congress Must Arrange for ALL
Cannot Rely ON the
States. ..-.,..-. q,
Washington, April CAS- soon as
routine business was disposed OF Dy Lhe
senate today, Senator Stephen B. FL
kins presented his views on the rail-
roadrate bill.
Mr. Elkins announced at the outset
his desire to secure legislation that
would secure to the people "a prompt
and adequate remedy for the evils, IN |
justices, abuses and wrongs of every
kind practiced by railroads, or In any
way growing out Of their operation,
but he said that, while he favors the
pending bill, he wanted to make III
sbetter and stronger.
He said that he was In hearty accord
with the president on the subject OF
rate regulation, and then indicated the
respects in which, according to his
opinion, the bill falls short in accom-
plishing all that should be accom-
plished by railroad legislation. Among
these were the following: -y.
"a prohibition against railroads pro-
ducing, selling or shipping their own
coal and other like articles in competi-
tion with other owners. i
"a requirement that switches shall
be built where needed to accommodate
business.
IA requirement compelling inter.
state roads to make connections with
connecting lines.
"a requirement for the fair and just
T.. Cannot Rely on States.
Commenting on these omissions, Mr..
Elkins made reply to the contention
that they would be covered by state
legislation. He said:
TIN the state Of West Virginia, and
nearly all the states, there has been
legislation on these subjects, but for
many reasons the law is not invoked.
In the first place, a. shipper, single
handed and alone, cannot afford to sue
great Interstate railroad; in doing
so he Is bound to incur large expense,
great delay, and is sure to incur the
hostility of the great thru line, which
may work irrepasable injury to his In
terests. 81
u
state lines shall make prompt connec-
tions with connecting branch or lateral
lines, and fair, just and reasonable pro-
rating arrangements with them.'
'.@ Small Lines Important.
He then spoke Of the great improb-
ability that additional trunk lines will
secure admission to the great cities.
"The people must. therefore, in the
future, depend largely for the further
development Of the country and con
tinued increase in business upon short
lines of railroad reaching rich sec
tons" -.. g. ~ -..
Illustrating his point by citing the
condition in his own state, Mr.. Elkins
said: r.
"In the state Of West Virginia and
other states, there are many men who
have made large investments in agri-
cultural, coal, timber, iron-ore and 9th
er lands, who are able and DESTROYS of
building short lines from ten to 10C
miles long to reach these, lands and find
q market for their products, but they
will not build them under present con.
ditions because of the difficulties in the
tions with the interstate lines, and when
they do get them, securing fair treat
ment.
Big Roads in Power.
HMen cannot afford to take this risk
without the law guarantees them protec
ton, and the people look to congress tt
provide this protection in the bill I'm
der consideration. AS matters nov
stand, it is in the power of the grea
thru lines to largely prevent the build
ing of branch or lateral lines, or t,
utterly crush them out when built O.
make them Improbable.
If there is not a provision in thi
bill compelling connections and fai
treatment to short lines, the certain re
suit will be that people who have mad
investments in lands will lose thei
money, fewer railroads will be bull
and there will be less business and les
development of the resources of tn
country
Should Be Definite Rates.
He expressed the conviction tina,
Hthere should be definite provision
in the bill denying the power to com
mission to fix rates between localities
on divergent lines. II ~ =
After considering the question Of
court review at some length, Mr.. Ell
kins announced his conclusion that an,
legislation attempting to confer upo1
the interstate commerce commissio
the power to fix rates will be unconsti
tutional unless it prescribes t'the stand
ard of charges which shall control,
and requires the committee to conform
thereto in fixing rates; that any legis
latlon attempting to fix rates would b.
unconstitutional whose practical effec
is to deny to common carriers the RICH
to invoke and obtain in due, time tn
protection of the courts from bein.
compelled to transport persons or prop
erty at rates which violate the car
fler,s constitutional rights. He de
clared that the pending bill works
clear delegation of the congressional
power to flx rates. and added: 1I
would seem, therefore, necessarily +
follow that the provisions of the. hi
comforting rate-fxing power upon til
commission are unconstitutional
WILL AID HUSBAND
NHA III IKIn nnnA