Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-02
HEPBURN BILL
IS CHAMP|ONEO
D0LLIVER URGES. PASSAGE OF
MEASURE
Replies to the Criticisms Made by
Foraker and Declares That Press
ent Laws Are Entirely
Inadequate

By Aesuriated Press.
WASHINGTON, March THAT in
terest in the railroad rate question con-
tinues undated was made manifest
again today by the large audience
which greeted Mr.. Dollver from the
senate galleries when he arose to speak
on the Deliver Hepburn bill. From
the first the Iowa senator has been the
champion of the policy of giving the
Interstate commerce commission full
authority. and the friends of the house
bill have expected him to take lead
ing part in pressing the consideration
of the measure, Notwithstanding II mas
been placed in charge of another SEN
ator His was the first speech III sup
port of the bill.
hfr. Doiiiver began his speech at 12:3o
p. M, Immediately after the disposal
of the routine morning business.
Spoke Without Notes
Mr. Deliver spoke without notes. He
began with a compliment to Mr.. Gull
Ion. to whom he referred as the father
Of Interstate commerce legislation,
and to Mr.. Nelson. the author of bill
presented to the last congress.
The senator then outlined the bill,
pointing out wherein it amends the eX-
listing Interstate law, saying that, AFTER
all, the charges were Soihpt'i pheiNSiS
few.
"Instead of undermining the law the
bill fortifies it, he said, and he dc
clared that if the present law had been
treated with the reverence and sanctlty
1t deserved the American people would
have approached the subject in frame
of mind different from that which now
prevails.
He said the railroad companies were
unable to protect themselves against
the fragrant abuses" of the private
car companies under section l of the
present law He had not favored the
abolition Of these cars, but he did be-
lieve the car companies should be regu-
lated by making responsible the rail-
road companies employing them.
Defends Commerce Commission
Speaking of the interstate commerce
commission, he discussed Judge Gross
cups recommendation for specific
court, but he did not accept the theory
advanced for the reason that he con-
sidered the present machinery suff1-
cient for all purposes. He recognized
the fact that it had become fashionable
to speak slightingly of the interstate
commerce commission and defended the
body against such attacks. He eX-
pressed the opinion that if the lawyers
had dealt as fairly with the commits
sion as WIN JHe courts the result
would have been better.
Mr.. Dolliver declared he did not ex-
pect a protracted vendetta between the
railroad and the business community,
believing that when the law was en-
acted it would be observed by carrier
and shipper alike. He predicted that
within five years there would be boards
of arbitration in every traffic center of
the country so that appeals to the COM
mission would be the rule rather than
the exception.
He declared that as the bill stands
1t leaves the door to the courts open
for the protection of all constitutional
rights
He took up the rebate question, say
ing that he did not agree with either
Mr.. Foraker or Mr.. Bacon that the
secret practices have been abandoned.
He did not believe the Elkins bill ade-
quate for protection against these prac-
tees.
1.-THE difficulty about rebates is not
IN furnishing violations of the law" he
said, "but in discovering them, and we
have undertaken to amend the law go
as to cover that defect