New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-14
PUNISH BUREAU LEAKS.
Senate Passes BM-Mr. Simmons
Discusses Rates.

washington, March 13-Before taking up the
railroad rate question to-day the Senate passed
several bills One of them provides for the
punishment Of government officials for the pre-
mature divulgence of secret information OF gov
eminent bureaus in such matters as the crop
reports; another grants executive authority in
the matter Of the construction of bridges over
navigabie streams. ana still another sanctions
the efforts OF Delaware and New-Jersey to ad-
just their long pending boundary dispute.
Mr.. Simmons made the only speech of the day
the railroad rate question. He announced his
support of the House measure, but said he would
not oppose reasonable notifications.
Mr.. Tillman announced that after tomorrow
he would seek to have the rate bill taken up for
consideration each day Immediately after dis
posing Of the routine business Of the Senate,
instead of waiting until 2 o'clock.
Mr.. Scott presented an amendment TO the Rail-
road Rate bill requiring railroads to make con-
nection with intersecting lines, with proper IA
cilities for transfer of business and the exchange
OF cars
A bill was passed authorizing the erection Of a
monument at Washington to the memory of
John Paul Jones. at cost OF $4,000; providing
for the cooperation of the United States in the
erection OF monument to the memory of Dor
othea Lynde Dix at Hampden. Me. and appro-
priating $4,000 for that purpose.
Mr.. Simmons gave practically all his attention
to the right OF Congress to confer upon the In
terstate Commerce Commission the power to fix
rates. contending that such a right exists be-
yond question
On the question OF the power that should be
given the courts he said
We had as well look the fact in the face The
plain truth in this contest between these cor
pOrations and the people is that the railroads
want the laws affecting them administered by
tribunals composed of men appointed for life
and whose amenabiity to the people is there
fore remote They not opposed to trusting
the powers conferred by this legislation in the
commerce commission because they do not be-
lieve competent and impartial men will at all
times compose that commission, hut because
they fear that the power of the people to quickly
call them 10 account for any forgetfuness of
their interest will lead them to put the public
veal above that Of special privilege
He announced that he had no objection to
such right OF review by the courts as does not ia
effect either interfere with the rightfu authority
Of Congress in this matter Of rates or so hammer
It in the discharge of these powers through its
commission as to defeat or render ineffective in
whole or in part its lawful purposes with re-
spect TO this subject"
After presentation of this legal phase of the
case Mr. Simmons said:
My chief apprehension concerning this meas
ure is that while the courts have not the con-
stitutional right / see il, to review a lawful
rate fixed and ordered by the commission, and
while this bill by not comforting Il denies 10
them that right, STILL in actual practice, by
means Of introductory orders based upon ex
parte shOwings of unreasOnableness, these or
ders may be suspended pending litigation. and
in this way many Unbelievable as well as re-
viewable orders OF the commission will be held
in allegiance until final decree
It is probable that the only escape from this
danger will be found in taking from the courts
the right to suspend the orders of the commits
sion in any and all cases. II Congress can do
this. would 1t be right to do it? Would II he
good policy to do it2 Whether good or bad pol-
icy. II IL would be wrong unjust to do II we
cannot as individuals or as a nation afford 10
DO it for mere profits sake.
Yet he had. he said reluctantly reached the
conclusion that the power OF suspension should
be employed II the power exists TO suspend it.