Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-19
In that Event it Probably will Be Those in
Effect January l, 1907
CHILD LABOR BILL IN THE COMMITTEE
Some Amendments Suggested to Make Il
Less Stringent on Parents.
LOBBYISTS GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER
Members of the Legislature Pass Then
by in the Hotel Lobbies and
They Really Appear 60
he Lonesome.

LINCOLN. Jan. IS.-Cspecial) - While
(From a STAFF Correspondent)
members of the joint railroad committee,
which is authorized TO draft and present
to the house and senate bill giving au-
thority, to the State Railroad commission.
have various views in the matter and may
be some time in getting together. there Is
strong sentiment for the drafting OF
bill which merely gives to the commission
the power to fix rates Some members OF
the committee are of the opinion that the
bill should contain the minimum rates to
be charged and II these rates are not
compensatory then It would be up to the
railroads to produce evidence that such Is
the case before any change should be made
Inasmuch as there is question or the
right of the legislature to delegate au-
thority to the commission equal to the
power to repeal statute, some members
OF the legislature favor drafting short
bill giving power to the commission to
regulate rates.
The republican campaign was fought out
mainly on the proposition to give the State
Railroad commission power to do business,
80 a member suggested today, and that Is
what should be done. 1t has been suggested
also that the Joint committee would be
reported bill fixing the freight rates
in effect January 1, as the maximum rates
to be charged, and then giving the COM
mission power over rates and the people
would be able to get relief from the present
rates II in one section OF the state rates
are low because OF competition or other
reasons, this rate could not be raised but
in other parts Of the state the rates could
he reduced to conform to the low rates.
Then this member suggested the burden or
proof should be put upon the railroads and
the commission given such authority that
pending an appeal to the courts the orders
of the commission should be effective
Influx of Lobbyists.
| So far as passenger rates are concerned
the speeches delivered during the campaign
by the party speakers doubtless will have
great weiSe\ with the members of the
committee aid of the legislature. Some Of
the members are pledged to their constitu-
ents to vote for a 2-cent passenger rate
but there seems to be a general sentiment
for this matter TO be left with the COM
mission. the legislature providing MAXI
mum rate This would prevent passenger
rates being increased and at the same time
allow the commission to make reductions
10 1 cent, II found compensatory, on some
roads and up to the rates now charged on
other roads.
The appointment OF the committee to get
up this measure and the announcement
that II intended to begin work WAS the
signal for the influx of special lobbyists
and during the last few days a number
have drifted in merely "to look around"
! It is told on good authority that from
Nebraska City a few citizens showed up
to talk conservatism to the members Of the
. Nko
of the railroad committee d in particular.
The presence of a few ex-state officers
around the lobby OF the hotels and the leg
islative lobbies is creating considerable un-
| favorable talk among the members and
may result before the end of another week
/ in every lobbyist being driven out OF Lin
coin If such thing is possible. The MEM
bers have walked to the fact that the fine
work is not done in the legislative halls,
nor in the corners of the state house, but
at the hotels and other places to which
the lobbyists for special interests have ac-
| cess Attorney Ben T. White OF the
Northwestern is said to have been here
during the last few days, or at least a
part of that time, and while the informa-
ton came from an absolutely reliable
source, the head Of the Northwestern lobby
was not conspicuous to any great number
of people.
Given Cold Shoulder.
| AS a matter of fact, however, the MEM
bers are making 1t lonesome for these OBJ
structors of justice, for they are getting
| the cold shoulder on every hand and at
the present rate before the session ends
\ It will be impossible for a branded lobby
list to even get In speaking distance of a
member, except during committee meeting,
when he will be invited to appear ana
make argument.
AS an incident, a well known lobbyist
! struck town one night this week and TO a
number of people. he said he was here on
private business and not to interfere OF
make suggestions to the legislature. It
| was his intention, however, to remain a
/ few days. At midnight he was ready 10
! leave. He had been unable to strike up
/ speaking acquaintance with single
| member among the pledge-keeping republi-
/ cans. But there are some prominent
( citizens here, presumably attending the
/ agricultural meetings, and a member sug-
gested today that possibly other business
I was keeping them and this could be ascer-
/ tained when the agricultural meetings
! over, tomorrow. After that this member
suggested a directory Of the lobbyists
should be compiled and published for the
! benefit of all the members.
Child Labor Bill Discussed.
! Clarkes child labor bill this afternoon
/ was the most discussed measure which
has yet been before the house, and while
/ there is no doubt II win pass the house,
some slight amendments will be made re-
/ garding the employment OF children by
! their parents at their homes. The COM
mittee of the whole discussed the bill and
3 then reported progress. and no action was
taken. Clarke agreeing to this. The spOn-
sor OF the measure explained In detail its
effect. and when objection was raised TO
its stringeney, explained that Il was an
ticipated that the bill, should IL become
a law, would be enforced along lines OF
/ Justice and common sense. Every man
Z who spoke was in favor of the spirit OF
I the bill, but some Of the rural members.
/ as well as Barnes OF Douglas, objected 70
| the airinRent aectiOnR relating 10 the em-