Arizona republican., 1909-02-09
THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
As Many of the Members Have Come
 To Regard the Caucus.

The collapse of the caucus has been foretold so often without defi- nite results that the subject is ap- preached again with some hesitancy. But it is VrOpable that an attempt will be made tO break it today and If it should succeed the caucus will resemble the Spanish idea of the wrecked battle ship Maine in that it will have come to it's end from an explosion from within.
 There are probably enough of the caucusers who want to end it to do it, but so far they have been unable to get together on a plan. But they realize that a time is approaching when it must be done; if the legis- lature does not wreck the caucus, the caucus will wreck the legislature
 The Pace bill has been selected as the most likely weapon for an attack upon the caucus, and when the as- sault is made that will be the in- strument used. The matter of calling the local option bill out of the com mittee was under consideration yes terday and it is rather thought that a motion of that sort will be made today. The vote on the motion may or may not indicate the ultimate fate of the bill, but it will have some bearing upon the integrity of the caucus. It will show who have been lying to their colleagues and who have not, and thus a new alignment is likely to be. formed and something will be started.
 A New Commission Bill
 Additional railroad legislation was launched yesterday by MT. DeSouza in the house a bill creating a rail- road commission. It is rather diff ferent from the bill now pending in that it valves in advance the right of the commission it proposes to es- tablish, to fix or alter rates.
 It describes a commission of three member to be appointed by the gov ernor, not more than two to belong to the same political party. The law shall become effective within fifteen days after the passage of the bill One of the members of the cOmmis- sion shall know something about the railroad business and none of them shall be interested in that business or in any business coming under the head of common carrier
 The commission shall have a chairman and secretary, both off, ficers being chosen from the com mission. The salary of the members shall be $2500 each. There shall be permanent offices at the capitol and meetings shall be held there on the third Monday of every month. Special sessions may be called.
 The commission is empowered to administer oaths and to compel the attendance of witnesses and make them bring books and papers which may shed any light on the subject that may be under investigation. The witnesses shall receive the same fees that are paid in other cases, the fees to be paid by the party at whose in- stance they may be summoned. If the commission should institute ar investigation on its own motion the territory shall pay the fees. In case any witness should\refuse to obey a summons he will be dealt with as other recalcitrants are.
 The commission will be governed by the rules of the interstate com merce commission so far as they are applicable to the conditions in this territory, The investigations shall go to all commerce originating and end ing in the territory as well as com merce passing through the territory for the purpose of ascertaing wheth- CT the laws of the United States are being violated.
 The carriers may also air their