Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-05-21
COMMERCE COM.
MISSIONS FINDINGS IN HARRI.
MANS CASE SURE TO BE DRAs.
TIC
ORDERS NJ usT BE FILLED
President Started the Commission Up.
on its Investigation and Recent
Events Prove that He Suspected
Harriman's Dealings
Washington Bureau OF
The OttumMa Courier.
Washington, D. c., May 1S.

washington, " ", May TO-
Despite that there has been
some comment among officials
OF the Interstate Commerce
commission to the effect that the re-
port drafted by Attorneys Kellogg and
Severance on the Union Pacific-Harrl-
n.cn investigation Is not SO vigorous
in come parts as migt be desired,
there is no doubt that the commits
sion's final recommendations will be
in effect the same that are outlined
BY the lawyers in their draft. THIS
Investigation was started under orders
direct from the yrite House. There
had been presented to the president
various representations about railroad
conditions in Hartman territory, and
he deci,.ed that thorough inquiry
should be made He ordered the COM
mission to take up the task and 1t did
so.
Since that time the relations Of
the president to Mr.. Hartman have
developed In fashion that does not
now neet discussion. An official OF
the commission, discussing the law
yers' draft, observed that of course
at would not be finally adopted until
1t should be certain of approval by the
White House" Approval, by the White
House, in the opinion of officials, is
not likely to be secured by doc'l-
mont thai is not reasonably vigorous
il It's discussion Of the matters under
consideration.
The commission was much exercis-
ed by reason Of the fact that it's draft
Of the report had become public. AS
matter of fact, however, there was
no great surprise, for it was written
and printed in neat little pamphlet
some time ago. The commission eX-
planned that the report, prepared at
its order by the attorneys who handled
the investigation, had not received fin
al approval.
However, the important question is
| as to the substance of the report
written by the lawyers, and on this
point there is no difference opinion.
1t is admitted that the published
synopsis sets forth what the report
contains. Neither is there and denial
that the attorneys have become con
WINGED that the Hartman combination
involves in q number Of the con
tracts binding together Its compnent
parts, violations of the antitrust act
Likewise is known and admitted, and
has been admitted for long time that
the report will be sent to the Depart
ment OF Justice for consideration rs
to these various matters which the
report declares to constitute violations
Of the Sherman law
Expectation Is that the matters will
be sent to the department of justice
in the near future, and that actions
will be instituted in all of these mat
tiers as to which the department
agrees with the conclusions Of the
commission. The commission has
nothing to do with the enforcement
Of the antitrust law, and its function
in such a case ends with pointing out
the matters as to which it believes
| that law has been violated.
An early resumption of serious dis
cussion Of the legislative program OF
4 the coming session Of congress is ex
pected The commission has beer
convinced by this Investigation and
what is more important, the political
leaders and a large section of the
public has been that there is need
Of laws to restrict the issue of capt
tal and to indicate the conditions and
circumstances that must be met be
fore one railroad may buy the shares
of another. Legislation along these
lines will be undertaken with powerful
backing.
Il On May %. Senator Dolliver, who
has been working on the subject since
congress adjourned, will address the
Manufacturers Association in New
i York and it is understood he will talk
of his ideas about further regulation
of railroads. He is especially con
sidering the question OF making +
4 valuation of the roads, and may Civ.
an outline of his conclusions on thai
subject There Is also a movemen
on foot to have the Interstate Com
merce Law convention meet in Chica
! go about September 15 to declare It'll
attitude concerning the needed amend
ments to the Interstate commerce
law. One of the most important, per
haps the most imI ortatt, for which
efforts will be made, is one to give
: the interstate commission power t.
prohibit the taking erect Of pro
posed schedule of rates until irvesti
cation shall prove that 1t ID fair ant
equitable. At present the commits
sion cannot attack rate until it !.
In effect. Then IL Can attack only {
! single ra.e at time, and that only
on complaint. What is wanted is pow
er to enJoin the taking effect of al
: entire schedule, tucb as the recent,
announced schedules, making advan
ces in iron and steel, grain and lum
Der covering large sections of the
. country. 1t is for such power as thi,
that the slippers are getting read,
to dcclale themselves. They believe
that unit. 1t is secuted the interstate
commerce law will be weak and inef
!, ficient,
J. G. welliver.
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