The Washington times., 1906-01-17
Prefer Federal Court Ac-
ton Before Commerce
Commission.
SUBJECT H0TLY DEBATED
Theories of President RooSe-
welt Upheld by Several
of the Delegates

After one of the wsrmest debates 1
held at any convention for many
months in this city. the members OF
the National Board OF Trade. in ses-
sion at the New willard today passed
a resolution which urges rate regula-
tion, with several features
The most important of these is that
when the Interstate COmmerace Gem
mission receives a report of a grievance
from a shipper IL shall turn the case
over 10 a special Federal court, which
viii pass ON its feasibility, and then
report back 90 the commission ITS
rtc Communications. This practically puts
the rate regulating power in the hands
of Federal courts The resolution came
up the first thing at Joday's session,
and seemed to have clear sailing To
the astonishment of many, y. b. Kelly
and others arose after the resolution
had been read and declared they had
signed IL for the sake of harmony, al
though they opposed many of its fea-
lures
The delegate who led the opposition
TO the resolution was J. r. McHuEh, OF
Cincinnati. Ohio. who exploded lyddite
shell by offering as substitute the res
olution of the Cincinnati chamber OF
commerce. clothing the Interstate Com
merce Commission with the rate-mak-
ing power. He attacked the railroads
and read clipping rrom newspaper
declaring that for some time the raIl-
roads have been giving the country the
worst end, and that despite their mil
lions they have rot been able 10 elimi-
nate the appearance of curves in their
lines such as rebates, private cars, and
other devices
LET the Government now give them
"a last tTiaI,T he said. Let us uphold
Mr Roosevelt ana Congress and the
people The railroads must accept this
Government control or the Government
will take them over, bag and baggage
cars
Mr. Hamlin. of Boston. here inter
posed that this Cincinnati resolution
was not i'm accord with Mr. ROoseVelts
message Ia Congress and that passing
lt would bC uuJdgOnlSIIC. If any JnlnE. 10
his policy. Steward Patterson, of Phil
adelplia who acknowledged himself 10
be director OF the Pennsylvania rail
road then proceeded 10 handle Mr.,
McHugh : argument without gloves ana
declared that in Russia a commission
of "a few men might decide on what is
reasonable in the way of rates, but il
cant do il in "A free country Ike this.
Several other members took art IN
the debate, and finally MI. MCttugh = TeSo-
luton was put to vote and was over
WhelmmglV defeated. The regular resO~
luton was then put through with about
q dissenting voices out OF 100
The following is the resolution in full.
as introduced by William NJ Coates.
chairman of the interstate commerce
law committee.
Resolution in Full.
The National Board of Trade. beliey-
ing that the interests of the people de-
mand not only that the raJes Of trans
portation should be reasonable. and that
there shall be no unjust determinations
or preferences, but also that there shall
be effective governmental supervision Of
all interstate transportation agencies,
expresses the earnest hope that Con-
gress Will. in its wisdom. and as speed
ily as possible, enact such further legis-
lation as may be necessary. with justice
TO all concerned. TO secure prompt and
complete correction of any abuses in
transportation methods or operations
which may. upon due inquiry. be found
to exist and. to that end, that rebates
and personal determinations, in what
ever form they may occur. and by what
ever device they may be accomplished.
be prohibited
For Government Control
THE corporations and individuals who
I'm any manner participate in them be
subjected to severe penalties. and the
most effective machinery practicable be
provided for their detection and punish
ment: also believing that the Govern
ment should, in the interest Of the gen
eral public. including the purchasers Of
TRANSFORMATION as well as the carriers.
possess means TO prevent the naming of
excessive rates in the schedules. il is
recommended that whenever a United
States cou-T of competent jurisdiction.
upon complaint of the Interstate Com
merce Commission (which complaint
shall be given precedence. shall have
determined that an existing rate is eX-
Cessive. the commission or some other
competent authority. be eiven power 10
compel the substitution OF a reasonable
maximum rate. such rate to 90 into
effect within reasonable, time ana 10
remain i'm force for such period moi
longer than one year. as may be de,
termIned. the rate fixed TO be subiecr
10 revision ia the proper Federal Courr
upon proof that such rae is less than
reasonable compensation
These signed the resolution, which was
a msHimous report.
William n. Coates. chairman IT II
Tremame, Clinton White J. A Ken
Gglck Samuel G.. Douglas Charles Q
Martin, Elmore +. Banks, James F. par
ker, F. B. Thurber, "a Lee Early Daniel
Davenport \. +. Kelly. H r New
comb, James Richard Carter. Horace
Wilson. and ". T. Robinson.
Was Compromise.
Iu introducing this resolution Mr.
Coates declared that. while it is unani-
nous. * is in the naturs of q comDro-
mise Mr.. Early, of Cincinnati, explain
ed TO tie convention that he signed the
resolution to avoid making a minority
report, but that the resolution did not
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