The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-27
GOVERNOR OATES
 DISCUSSES ISSUES Rate Legislation is Distinct Democratic Measure WOULD BE CONSERVATIVE Believes the Railroads Should Be Re- quired to Issue Passes to Officials
 Travelling on Business
 for the State.

Railroad rate legislation IS distinct democratic measure, and one of which the party should be proud" said exGovernor William C. Oates, now a candidate for all ternate senator. Governor Oates is stop ping at the Morris hotel.
 "The interstate railroad commission was established during President Cleveland s administration when the House and Sen ate were democratic" said the ex-gov- ernor "The commission was, however ex- perimental and ineffective in a measure from the fact sthat 1t had not been given the power 10 enforce its rulings and or ders. The bill now in Congress proposes to remedy this defect, and will be one of the wisest measures ever passed by Con- gress. have read the bill now under con- sideration and with the elimination of tho clause prohibiting the issuing of passes to railway employees I am heartily in fa- vor of it.
 Interesting Career.
 ''The regulation of interstate commerce has had an interesting career In this country beginning even before the federa- ton of the states. The states in colonial times had their troubles with interstate commerce and convention was called at Philadelphia primarily to settle these questions. The constitution was adopted and A clause was provided giving the Congress of the United States power to regulate commerce with the nations and among the states
 This was too broad in it's interpretation and led to the opinion and contention by many that the clause looked to the build ing of railroads by the government for the transportation of mails and commerce interstate.
 "As to our state commerce commission 1t has power only to regulate rates With In the state and cannot interfere with any discriminatlons for roads in the haul ing of freights from this state to another or from another state into Alabama. The rulings of the state commerce commits sion can be enforced by recourse to the courts
 Favors Regulation.
 'While heartily favor the regulation Of railroad rates and the punishment of un- due discrimination, would not be radical in the handling of the railroads. We need stringent laws to regulate these matters and the commissions should have full power to enforce the laws, but l believe the railroads should be given as fair treatment as individuals or other corpor- ations Some law should be provided re- ouiring the roads, both state and inter- state. to give just and equitable rates on all traffic. but the same law should be just in allowing them adequate compen- sation for service and adequate equip ment.
 sI have views that perhaps are different from, tbose of most people on the question of allowing passes to public officials. De- lieve that the railroads should not be pro hibited from giving passes to whom they choose. provided the giving of those masses Is regulated by the state or nation. For instance, a law requiring the rail- roads to grant passes to public officials travelling over the roads on public busi- ness should not be objectionable, and by that lawful requirement the giving Of the mass would in no wise place any ooliga- tion on the official. The state grants Iran chises to the roads and that provision should require the granting Of passes 10 its officials while travelling over the roads on business for the state. Such law, 1 believe. would remedy the evil so often complained of.
 Constitution Defective.
 "In my opinion, the new constitution or Alabama is defective in that 1t allows railroads to grant passes to all state or ficials while it prohibits their issuance to legislative and judicial officers. The old constitution was better in this respect from the fact that it prohibited the giving of passes to any official in the state
 When questioned in reference to the can didacy of William J. Bryan for President, Governor Oates said: T believe that MT. Bryan is possibly the strongest man Tn tho marty. and the indications are now that he will be the nominee. l believe he can be elected.
 "One favorable indication is the fact that many of his strongest opponents four wears ago are now endorsing him, and also some of the largest newspapers that fought his nomination before are now en- dorsing him"
 Governor Oates will leave for hls nome at Montgomery this morning for week rest after which he will visit several oi inc counties in the northeastern section oi