The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-13

said DOW that had it not been for the
action of Judge Lands in calling John
d. Rockefeller and william d. Archbold
to the witness stand they would not
nave been invited by the government TO
testify and their criminal prosecution
might have followed Now it is proba-
Bile that Mr.. Rockefeller and Mr.. Arch
bold will be placed under examination
and their evidence used to bring about
the dissolution of the trust they were
instrumental in organizing.
1t may be reiterated that the presl-
dent is not in sympathy with the pros
ecution of railroads because or their
action in giving rebates TO the STAN
dard In this connection attention is
called to the following passage in the
presidents last annual message:
Rebates are as often due TO the
pressure of big shippers Gas SHOWN IN
the investigation of the Standard Oil
company and as has been shown since
by the investigation of the tobacco
and sugar trusts) as to the initiative
of big railroads. Often railroads
of preventing a big shipper from
maintaining improper advantages at
the expense of small shippers and of
the general public Such a combina-
ton instead of being forbidden by law
should be favored"
The evidence upon which the STAN
dard was convicted was freely given
by the Chicago and Alton, and while
no promise OF immunity was I1dQe the
square DEAF in the judgment of the
administration requires that it and all
other railroads which have been con-
siderate of the government in this
proceeding should be treated with le-
niency.
Anxious to Stop Agitation.
One reason why the president and
the railroads as we'll are anxious to
terminate the railroad agitation is
found in the assertion of jurisdiction
~ In Cfn
Carolina recently has put 2 cent
per mile passenger rate into effect;
Ala bama has imposed a u cent fare;
Virginia has enforced rates from
cents for certain roads to Il cents for
others. What is true of the south is
true of other sections of the country
The interstate commerce commits
sion has decreed that the interstate
rate shall not exceed the sum of the
locals; but there is such bewilder-
ing mass Of rates, not only for pas
sengers but for freight, that the rail-
roads, to say nothing of the federal
government, hardly know when they
are violating a state or federal law.
It is a condition of chaos that the
president anticipated. He proposes |
to restore order as far as he can by |
making interstate railroads subject
only to federal control through the |
method of national license law.
1t has been proposed to him that he |
recommend the enactment of a pro- |
vision authorizing the interstate COM |
merce commission to decide whether /
a railroad may issue new securities
and where it shall make investments |
of its surplus capital. 1t is understood |
he favors granting this jurisdiction to |
the commission, but whether he will |
recommend it be given is a question |
that will be determined within the
next few weeks
Taft to Talk Politics.
Besides talking with Secretary Taft |
In regard to his own policies, Mr.. |
Roosevelt will consider the presiden-
tial political situation with the Ohio
candidate. Mr.. Taft has been prepar-
ing some of his speeches in Canada
and probably will submit them to the |
president for criticism. The secretary
will be in Washington on Wednesday,
and will dispose of certain department
tai business. such as the army esti-
mates. the Tucker case, etc. He will
leave here the following Saturday for
Column bus. O.. and then begin a swing
around the country ending with his
departure for the extreme orient on
September 10. The secretary will re-
urn to the United States via the
Franssiberian railroad and Europe
and will not be in Washington before
he middle of December.
1t is therefore imperative that he
should have a long conversation with
he president, relating not only to do
nestle but to foreign affairs. It would
few here to learn that the
president has charged Secretary Taft
With a cordial message to the Japan
ese emperor.