The daily tribune., 1906-02-09

In the House, which after some discus
sion was passed by that body. No ac'
tion was taken, however, by the Sen
ate, but after adjournmentAthe senate
Committee ON Interstate Commerce
held extended hearings. and during the
present Congress there has been
iced Of railroad rates bills In both
houses, ranging all the way from the
Interstate Commerce Commission BILL
which is generally considered as the
administration measure, to bills widely
and radically different in thsir pro
visions. Bills have been introduced by
Senator Dolliyer Of Iowa. by Senator
Foraker Of Ohio, by Senator Elkins OF
Virginia, the Chairman Of the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee. by
Senator Morpau Of Alabama, by Sena-
tor Culberson Of Texas, by Representa-
tive Hepburn of Iowa, the chairman OF
the railroad rate committee" Of the
House, by Representative Hogg Of
Colorado; also the Interstate Com
merce Commission bill and various
others.
Senator Morgan recently made the
first argument in the Senate on the
rate question, In support Of his bill.
which provides for the regulation Of
railroad rates through the regular
courts Of the country. Senator Elkins
bill also proposes that the Federal
courts shall determine whether rates
are excessive. and provides for an in
junction against any road which Is
found to be charging an excessive rata
The bill which has been introduced ~
Representative Hogg, formulated ~
Judge Peter Grosscup Of the United
States District Court of Chicago W.
rendered the decision against the Dss1
Trust, provides for special railrseA
court to decide all such nate14
Judge Grosscup's bill establishes sev0
Courts OF Transportation, situated u
different sections of the country, u
try the particular cases arising wtA1kAa
their territory. During a stated DAReDd
of each year the Judges of the ssvN
courts are to meet together and Md
court en- banc in Washington Or eise,
where. Just as the Supreme Court Il
the United States sits together for a
stated term, after having held individ.
ual court in the different Federal dis
tricts of the United States. There is
right Of appeal from this Court Of
Transportation to the Supreme Court
Of the United States. II Is argued III
favor of this bill that inasmuch as
railroad rate matters, even where
they are decided upon by the Inter
state Commerce Commission, must f.
nally 60 to court, the matter can be
simplified by having them considered
in the beginning by this Court of
Transportation. Also that this Court
Of Transportation having no other
business to attend to. can try the rail.
nly hoF
the regular courts, while ene members
will be experts on the subject, making
the subject the study Of their lives
work Of the Interstate Commerce
organization, authorizing that body to
possible and to act as counsel or at
At the Governments expense, wherever
any case of controversy arises between
the shipper and the railroads.
This bill Is favored as q measure
whose provisions overcome the danger
which it is stated would arise from
the creation Of Commission at Wash.
ington which would hold the vast rail
road interests Of the United States in
the hollow of Its hand. There is an
apparently growing sentiment among
many people that to constitute any
body Of men . political commission
with such vast power as the ability to
make or unmake any railroad rate on
the 10000 miles OF railroad In the
country, would AFFORD such an enor-
nous centralized power as has never
heretofore been dreamed Of BY the
most radical advocates OF the central
government idea a. against the dinu
sioo Of power among the people and
the several States. 1t il realized that
such power In the hands Of any ad
mintstration would. II misussd In any
degree, make poee'h's the inde6nits
continuance in power Of that political
party and require an absolute uprising
OF the entire nation, On masoe, to bring
about political chanEeA
The great number Of railroad btlls
thus far introduced and which are b.
ing widely discussed. show that thsre
IL n yet no general capitalization of
sentiment on the subject and that
statesmen and supposed specialists. 10
say nothing OF the averaxs individual
throughout the country, are IN . resp
tive mood and seeking for Information