The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-03-10

which must be changed. 1t is q free
for all race SO far as amendments are
concerned. but the amendments that
will be offered will be for tho purpose
Of strengthening che bill, for the pur-
pose Of making 1t really effective
instrument for reaching abuses which
are now complained Of with great
reason and over which the entire
country Is profoundly stirred"
you regard this. then. as demo-
cratic opportunity"
'Yes. l think all democrats in Con-
gress regard it as their opportunity.
/ have not seen the democrats in
Washington so much encouraged since
Clevclands second administration put
us in the ditch. There is disposition
to consult, Il disposition to try to ar
rive ut q wise conclusion; there are
of no democrat who objects because
have been put In charge of this bill.
and that very fact Is almost humorous
However. intend to perform my full
duty and am having the most valuable
cooperation from all of the demo-
cratic Senators. It will be their work,
possibly more than mine, when the
bill Is whipped into shape and offered
for the votes Of the Senate and laid
before the country for Its calm con-
sideration."
You believe public opinion is going
to force action on this measured"
Public opinion and nothing else is
going to forco action. If tho public
were not aroused over this measure it
would die. as SO many other bills de-
signed for the protection Of the public
have died. I get it from everywhere
that the impression prevails the great
railroads Of the country. the owner
ship of which has been concentrated
in the hands Of few men. are engaged
in the creation of d gigantic monopoly
to control tho price Of necessaries of
life. l do not speak hastily on this
subject because 1 have been at some
pains to inquire as to the facts.
know that the railroads. through their
large stockholders by means of indi-
vidual purchases and the Investments
of auxiliary and subordinate COM
panies. have practically purchased all
the coal lands in the United States.
The public is realizing this and the.
public will have Il remedy applied be-
fore it is through giving attention to,
the subject"
What remedy would you apply?"
Il believe an effective remedy will
be to put the railroads out Of the busi-
ness of mining and selling coal and
conflne them to- their duties as COM
mon carriers. We have already had
decision on this point by the highest
tribunal In the land showing that this
is against public policy and that the
practice must stop. There is much for
Congress to do, not only in the way
of Strengthening the law, but in putting.
i AIlO OVTIdlAO1 LILO NocUlAO1y WHICH,
will disclose the facts and bring these,
monopolists to book
From what sections do you get most
of the letters Of commentator and
suggestion bearing on this question:
They come from Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, New York, and may say
from all over the country. I am getting
a great many letters in regard to the
ownership Of coal lands in Utah. where
it would seem that corporation control
along railroad lines Of all the coal de-
posits in that State has already been
accomplished. I look for astounding
} revelations to be made when Congress
receives from the Interstate Commerce
Commission the result Of the investiga-
ton which it has been empowered to
conduct"
The position which Senator Tillman
now occupies in Washington is Pc
culiar. He is practically the leader Of
what might be termed the :oosagelt
party In the Senate. On the sslxjsct
Of the regulation Of railroad rats he
Is to be ne spokesman Of democrats