The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
SENATOR BRISTOW'S MISSION
By JAMES B. MoRRow.

Rnd resourceful men have come TO the
United States Senate-frst. La Toilette.
OF Wisconsin,; then Cummins. OF Iowa;
and recently. Joseph Little Bristow, OF
Kansas.
II each battle there was a single dom
mating idea-the further regulation OF
railway corporations. Wisconsin. Iowa.
and Kansas have not undertaken the
formalities OF triple alliance for oren-
slve operations, but every one believes
there is a tacit understanding. as every
one knows there is complete harmony OF
opinions and policies, between La Fol-
lette. Cummins. and Bristow.
At no time in the past has the situa-
tion in the Senate been so menacing TO
transportation interests. Laws may not
be enacted Immediately. but the agita-
tion that is bound TO come will be so
spirited, intelligent, and persistent that
ultimate legislation seems to be q reason
able probability
The movement against the railways has
now the sagaciousness. energy. and abil-
ity Of experienced and brilliant leadership
La Toilette. accepting all the testimonials
OF his friends concerning his sincerity
and integrity, is essentially a tragic actor.
To him will be assigned the work or ap-
peal. He will voice the call TO arms, and
the call will be full Of slashing phrases
and stirring pictures Cummins, an able
wary, passionless, and seasoned corpora
ton lawyer. win discover and devise the
ways and means.
Bristow. large-mouthed and intense, an
IT.. H..
VIII speak fervently to the question, will
write much about il, economically. and,
disappearing into strange and hidden pre-
cincts. viii emerge with the facts. He
caught the rascals in Cuba who were
robbing the post-office. Mckinley detailed
him for the task. He both hunted and
trapped crooked officials in Washington
at ROOsevelt's request. Unemotional, tire
less, ecclesiastical. cheerful. adaptable,
patient. sensible. adroit retributive, and
courageous. he Is a compound OF the an
cient Jewish prophet. the primal Ameri-
can Indian, and the whirlwind-
No photograph of Bristow looks alto
gether ike him. II would take a dozen
cameras 10 catch the clouds and sun
beams which alternately play upon his
face He does not resemble Abraham
Lincoln. except in stature. angularity. and
the mechanical squareness Of his shoul-
ders. yet I think Of Lincoln as he talks,
his lean body sunk and twisted in his
chair and one long, thin leg, crossed
upon his other knee swinging in the air
HIS voice is deep; his dark eyes glow
You went before the people Of Kan
sas,' I said. as "a candidate for the Sen
ate and won the nomination at the polls.
What was your principal issue?'
Transportation" Senator Bristow an
swered. showing animation ar the ques-
tiOn. Chester l. Long. then in the SEN
ate. and my opponent did not entirely
agree with me on the railway question
] took the stump early last spring and
spoke and electioneered until August
Some days I rode 100 miles in a buggy,
making speeches in little halls and coun-
Try schoolhoGses. Occasionally 7 would
talk and travel for forty-eight hours
without having either the time or the
chance TO take of my clothing. Even my
friends thought the fight was hopeless.
I made three points against the rail
ways Of Kansas specifically. and against
the railways Of the country generally.
First. overcapitalization; second, high
rates for transportation, and. thiEd. dis
elimination. / am not an enemyS6f prop
erty-I have a newspaper and a home
On the contrary, I believe that the owner
of railway securities is entitled TO all the
protection that is given 20 the owner Of a
farm, stock Of goods, or a manufac-
tory But L oppose the concentration Of
property when II IS employed by one man
or by a group Of men 10 control the pol
itics and commerce OF the country.
The root Of our troubles with the rail-
ways is overcapitalization. I am sure the
Union Pacific Railway-it does business in
my State. and I know about it-could be
rebuilt for $4,000 mile; yet it is bonded
for $4,000, and stock to the par value Of
S9s.oOe has been piled on top OF the bonds. /
The directors having voted a 10 per cent
dividend 10 the shareholders. the CONNER
cial value Of the road-that Is. the added
prices Of its bonds and shares in Wall
street-has become S235.OGs a miIeI Can
rates for freight on the Union Pacific be |
just or moderate under the circtIn1- |
stances? Should the consumers and pro- |
ducers Of the country be compelled to pay
dividends on such an outrageous imitation |
OF capital?
During my campaign last year I called !
particular attention 10 many cases of IN |
curious discrimination The country
around Wichita produces five times more
wheat than is grown i'm the vicinity OF |
Kansas City, but the Kansas City rate
10 Galveston, the place of export, was Is /
cents a hundred pounds. as against a /
ate Of 2Slz cents from Wichita. although
the haul from Wichita is 225 miles short |
er' and over the same railroad. bear in /
mind, than is the haul from Kansas CITY.
II often happened that only thirty or |
forty men were in my audience. but l |
hsa~-
have mentioned, which they took awav
and spread through their neighborboods |
] argued then, as I argue now, for an /
accurate and official variation Of the
physical property Of railroads. not as an /
absolute basis for freight rates but as /
sn Illuminating element in determining /
what charges are equitable TO all con- 1
cerned."
What other question. in your opinion. |
Is Of paramount importance at this time?" |
The extravagant expenditure Of pub
lie money. 1 am told that we NAV ba /
compelled 10 issue bonds for the running
expenses OF the government Bonds. the
United States being at peace. would be a 4
disgrace under present circumstances
When I came TO Washington. twelve 1
years ago. the annual appropriation for
the support Of the POst-office Department
amounted to Ss0.OO0OO0 Now it Is S2ss-
O00, 600. or 500, 100000, II we omit the COST
Of rural free delivery. The government IS |
living beyond its means. money is being /
1oured out. publicly and privately and /
look for a reaction that will discipline |
and chasten the whole country"
What personal qualities are necessary
for success in politics2" I asked.
Principally common sense" Senator 1