Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-12
BECOMES MAIN ISSUE
RATE LEGISLATION PROMINENT
IN WEST VIRGINIA.


| WHEELING, w. Va, February 10, 1908.
| Railroad regulation has graduated into q
| burning issue in West Virginia Gov Daw-
| son projected himself into the conflict this
| week by his letter to Senator Tillman.
which the South Carolina senator read in
the Senate. Gov. Dawson holds that the
state laws are inadequate. 1t was Sena-
tor Elkins' remark two weeks ago in the
Red Rock Fuel case that the state laws
were ample which called forth the gov
ernor's remonstrance, yet Eikins repeated
his assertion when Tillman read the Daw-
son communica ton.
Thus 1t has come about that Senator TILL
man is the man of the hour in West Vir-
ginia. First coal company appealed to
him from this state instead of to either
Senator Elkins or Senator Scott and next
republican governor pats him on the back
and tells him to go ahead. West Virginia
politicians do not know what to think of
it. AT the first dash they saw Dawson
making tracks for Eikins seat, but this the
governor denies. He feels that Senator
Elkins has reflected on the state authori-
ties, and does not propose to remain silent
Between the Lines.
Those who can read between the lines
will see that what Gov. Dawson refers to
Is the need of state railroad commission
for West Virginia. championed by Gov.
White and supported by his successor. Mr.
Dawson Every attempt to pass bill ere
ating a commission to inquire into the nu
merous complaints from coal operators as
to unjust determinations by the three
trunk railroads has met with failure in the
state senate, owing to alleged railroad in
fiuence.
Much OF the responsibility for the success
IN choking off the railroad commission
measure is credited TO Senator Elkins nv
the state administration people In fact
Senator Elkins opposition to the measure
is commonly known. That he should have
aided In preventing the enactment of a hill
held especially dear by Governors White
and Dawson and clamored for by the in
dependent coal operators was swallowed
with more or less good grace In the mast
but when he declared on the floor of the
United States Senate chamber that the ex
listing laws of West Virginia provided ado
quate relief for the abuses complained Of
Gov Dawson sat up and took notice.
Endorses the President.
Dawson Endorses President Rooseve1t's
stand on the rate question This is eons,
10 a challenge to Senator Elkins, whose
views and the Presidents are considered
to be antagonistic. So much is this opin-
ion entertained here that certain repubI-
cans. who want to go to the legislature In
counties which the Elkins machine domi-
mates, talk of going before the people as
Roosevelt republicans and hoping by this
drawing of the lines to connect with seats
at Charleston in easy fashion.
OF course, the Eikins lieutenants are not
seriously disturbed over the sudden turn OF
affairs. but they profess to believe that
Senator E,kins. and likewise Senator Scott,
VIII finally support rate bill. Senator
Elkins is merely fighting now for conces-
sions, 1t is explained, and there is not the
slightest danger of there being break be-
tween him and the President on the finals
In the rate regulation stakes Just at pres
ent Elkins stock Is going down below par
In successive slumps. Three Of the pT4nci-
pal coal-mining districts are now aHame
over railroad control Within the week the
victory of the Greenbrier Coal ana Coke
Company against the Norfolk and Western
railroad increased the active interest. This
company. alleged victim OF discrimination.
Ioat its case in the federal court for the
southern district of West Virginia, but went
higher up and got favorable decision from