The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-03-18
YOUNG A. P. GORMAN
FIGHTS RAILROADS
Wants Corporations Placed
Under State Surveillance,
CONSTITUTIONAL CHAM G E
Maryland Regular Democrats in Legis
iature Nay Pass Referendum
Measure to Call Convention.

not Sny direct results are obtained from
the investigation of the affairs OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad the in
formation gained - TO be used by the
Democratic party in the next State
campaign and made an issue
This much is certain But in connee-
tion with this it is also proposed TO
demonstrate that 10 bring under sur
VIGILANCE all the corporations and place
them more completely under State con-
troll ii is necessary TO have a new con-
sttution and ali OF the machinery that
can be brought into play is to be utilized
TO insure a majority for a constitutional
convention when the can is submitted
10 the people at the next general cleo
Jion.
This will be the feature in the party
platform. The plank is TO be made the
paramount issue. and by party men gem
orally is regarded as a winning card
So, for the first time in the history of
the Democratic party, it will array it
self as against the corporations A
peculiar fact in this connection is the
attitude of young Senator German. who
as the party leader. is directing party
policy The elder German was always
friendly to the great corporations, and
well. There was a time when the affairs
OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad were
so interviewer with those OF the State.
that It's interests were always con-
suited when legislation affecting its
business was proposed. The railroad
was regarded as a part of the Com
monwealth. and its official heads really
controlled the situation
Senator German was its best friend.
and during the reign of Robert Garrett
the president of the railroad company
was always invited 10 political con-
1erences when candidates were TO be
nominated. The. Senator was ALWAYS a
director in the road and invited 10 all
meetings which concerned the internal
workings OF the great corporation In
TINS way. he became informed of its
policy and is today probably the best
posted man in the State outside of the
present managing directorate OF its in
Ternal affairs
This snowieGso now is OF great service
and is being used for all il is worth.
The relations between the Senator and
the road became strained when John
N. Cowen became the head Mr.. wen
always Was an iHveterate opponent Of
Mr. German and led the fight against
him in every campaign He was then
the general counsel for the road. Once
elevated to the presidency he he anne
even more aggressive and the Senator
turned from friend TO foe
Friendly TO Pennsy.
His relations with the PENNSYLVANIA
railroad on the other hand were always
pleasant and they are so TO this day.
II was to please this corporation that
he threw down Ex-Governor Smith. who
was slated to succeed Senator Nc
Comas in the United States Senate. and
took up Bernard Carter. the general
counsel for the Pennsylvania road in
Maryland, and one of the abIest rail-
road attorneys in the country. His fail
ure to bring about Carter's election
was one Of the greatest disappoint-
ments OF his life. II also injured his
prestige in the State
Since then he has gradually been
severing his connection with all cor
porations and his son, who is sup
posed TO reflect his views. is fiEhting
them at every turn. II his pro,;ram is
carried out and a constitutional con-
Nention Is held, none of the corpora
tons viii escape paying taxes COM
mensurate with their holdings and
earnings.
The laws he is now endeavoring to
enact will accomplish his purpose but
unless clearly defined in the consti-
tuition and made directory by the or
ganic law. can always be repealed.
Fight for Election Law.
To insure the adoption Of the call for
n convention. which il now appears the
Republicans Will oppose the Demo-
Gratis want to retain all Of the drastic
features in this election law, while
the Republicans and WarheId Demo-
Gratis are Just as earnestly endeavoring
10 remove them. The Democratic
steering committee has tried again and
again to bring the independents into
line by offering all kinds Of compro-
misses, but thus far without success
What IS known as the Murphy bill in
troducef by WarfleId Democrat from
Baltimore city, is opposed by all the
Republicans. II does not include all
the changes they desire, retaining as It
does the Wilson law features applying
70 the black belt, and which does not
carry the party designation, but il
does provide for n more uniform bal
lot
The principal provisions objected to
by regulars are those which permit
crossmarks TO be counted for other
candidates when 4 mistake is made in
* one group, and the other is that which
directs a ballot to be counted when
folded improperly.
The conferees have agreed To accept
the provision which permits the count
ing of cross mark when the point of
intersection is wholly within the square.
This will be a great Improvement If
adopted. The Murphy bill is now IN the
house. hut the indications are it will
be passed by this branch Of the general
assembly. Half dozen Democrats will
vote with the Republicans. In the SEN
ate the outlook is doubtful. Only
twelve votes can be counted upon at
this time, and fourteen arc necessary
TO pass the bill.
IL would not grieve the Democratic
regulars much il no change were made
Al ALL II the law remains as it is they
say they can win in the counties and in
the city. too. There are shrewd sus-
picions that this is what they are play
ing for.
The Baltimore and Ohio investigating
committee has decided TO ask for an ex
tension OF the time allotted 10 COMPLETE
their work. This expires Monday. II
they cannot get permission to sit after