The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-12
SENATOR LODGE
DISCUSSES THE
R. R. RATE BILL

soon after the opening OF the senate to-
day. began an. elaborate discussion OF the
railroad rate bill. lie said among other
things:
Mr. Lodge announced his support OF
legislation for the contorl Of railroad
rates along the lines OF the Eech-Towns-
end bill OF last session, and said that
he believed the practice OF giving rebates
10 be the most serious Of all evils COM
plained Of He expressed the conviction
that the only legislation along the lines
suggested could government ownership
be prevented
He said that before entering upon the
investigation OF the question he had dis
posed OF his railroad interests in order
that his inquiry might be free from bias.
He. expressed the opinion that the rate
question was second only as an economic
al problem TO the financial question. and
one OF the most important before con-
gress. All were agreed, he said, as to
what we. as a people desired 10 do. but
the differences arose over the method of
proceeding.
He was convinced that there were evils
10 be remedied I'm connection with the
transportation system. but the problem
consisted in hnding a just means OF deal
ing viii. them He passed. as an estab-
late for the regulation of the railways.
The grievances against the roads. he di-
vided into three classes. as follows: Re-
bates or discrimination between persons,
excessive rates. discrimination between To-
calities.
He quoted statistics TO show that
freight rates are lower In the United
States than in any other country, and
concluded that IL no other GRIEVANCE was
would nn
legislation, and that in the matter of dis
elimination between localities II was very
difficult TO interfere in behalf Of one place
without doing injustice 10 others
But the only way TO accomplish any
thing was for the government to assume
supervision OF rate making
He admitted the difficulty in dealing
with the problem, said the, fixing OF rates
by the government would not cure the
evil. and concluded that that could be
effected only by punishment OF those who
violated the law by giving rebates.
Regarding rebates he said
THE rebates have been wrong and
injustice TO the people and a serious in
jury TO the railways themselves. l don't
think that IL would be possible to pass
legislation too drastic for the purpose OF
stopping these Determinations between
persons. We have a law now upon the
statute books which so far as prohibi-
tion Gang -ge.-oHgi4t -ee-s sufficient u
undoubtedly has largely checked rebates.
but IL has not stopped them entirely"
Mr. Lodge concluded
There seem to be now prophets Of a
new dspensaton who wish to depart
from the line marked out by the president
I'm his message and accepted In the house
bill OF last year. by removing, so far as
possible from the proposed law, all proper
provisions for review by the courts.
This seems to me 20 strike az the very
heart OF the measure. | am anxious tc
see the legislation, bat am not yet pre-
pared 10 substitute for the courts OF the
United States an executive commission
Legislation cannot prevent an appeal to
the courts III IL is alleged that the rate
is conhscatory; but this is a very narrow
ground and a very limited right. A rate
may not be absolutely confscatory and
and unreasonable and indeed well nigh
ruinous.
"I am not sure that II would he pos
sible TO deprive n citizen by legislation OF
the right to appeal TO the courts as 10 the
justice and reasonableness of n given rate
which Is a purely judicial question Blu,
no attempt ought to be made. either di-
rectly or Indirectly, by silence or by asser-
tion. TO destroy this privilege. or rather
this right We are about 10 pass great
measure. from which | hope great good
may come. but one which. In its opera
tion, will affect the property and inter.
ests Of millions Of our fellow citizens. II
should be guarded with scrupulous care
but above all II should provide that nc
man should be deprived Of his opportunity
to go TO courts In defense OF his rights
IL he thinks these rights are invaded"
Today Mr.. Tillman reported from tn.
committee on Interstate commerce n rcso
luton for the investigation OF railway,
similar TO that proposed by Mr.. Gillespi,
i'm the house. IL proposed an investiga
tion OF the control OF the output.
Mr. Patterson resigned as n member
OF the committee on privileges and cleo
tions and Mr.. Frazer was designated q
III the vacancy.