Evening star., 1909-06-12
Spokane Shippers Tell Taft of
Denial Of Justice,
EQUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Claim That Excessive Freight Rate
Is Also Confiscation.
HARRISON ALASKA COLLECTOR
Promotion Of Santleman to Captain
Proposed-Cabell Must Await
Recovery Of Capers.

Senator Jones and Representative Poin-
dexter of Washington called on the Presi-
dent today with a delegation OF Spokane
citizens. led by II. NJ. stephens. who had
charge Of the fight of Spokane before the
interstate commerce commission in the
now famous Spokane rate case.
The committee told the President that
it's experiences in that case had shown
some of the difficulties in the existing
laws for the regulation of commerce. II
was desired TO lay before the President
recommendations for amendments to the
present laws.
Mr.. Stephens told the President that one
of the weaknesses of the existing law IS
that il gives to the railroads the right OK
appeal to the courts Prom rate decisions
Of the interstate commerce commission
but does not give the same right to the
shipper. Mr.. Stephens contended that
there cannot be any difference. in princi-
pie. between the shipper and the carrier
He said that II to require the common
carrier to carry property at an unreaAon-
able rate is taking property without due
process Of law. and for that reason is
confiscation Of the carriers property. II
follows necessarily that 1t Is connscation
Of the shippers property to charge or col.
lect from the shipper ANYTHING In excess
of a reasonable rate. The shipper does
not enjoy equal protection of the law
with the railroad II he cannot nave the
same remedy as the common carrier In
alleged confiscation.
In addition to such an amendment
the visitors suggest to the President
the amendment of the Interstate COM
merce law in such a way that cOmmis-
sioners be appointed for various dis-
korfa ~
ters arising in the different sections.
appeals from their decisions to the full
board of commissioners being allowed.
Pacific coast and far west people muss
incur great expense In coming 10
Washington to present cases. 1t was
pointed out.
The visitors discussed the subject
of reparation and took up the matter
Of amending the law SO that no rate
should be raised by a carrier until after
q hearing. Notice of any proposed ad-
vance of rate should also be given In
the territory affected.
The President said that he intends
to give careful consideration to all
propositions for amendment so as to
discuss the question in his message To
Congress in December.
New Collector in Washington.
Senator Jones introduced to the Presi-
dent the postmaster at Spokane, M. l..
Harrison. The Washington delegation has
| unanimously agreed upon Mr.. Harrison as
| collector OF internal revenue of Alaska.
He will be appointed in September, when
the term of B. D. Crocker. the present
collector, expires.
A formal invitation to President Taft
to attend the great Confederate reunion
at Fishers Hill, Va, was presented to-
day by Col. L. s. Brown. A COMMITTEES
waited on the President some time ago
uv,a ~Eo him n attend
The President WIS told today that the
reunion would be held any time between
July 10 and August 10 to suit his convent
ence, and that II he would go he would
be greeted by $4,000 people.
Dutch Standard Of Color.
Senator Bristow of Kansas conferred
with President Taft about several things
today The most important related to
the efforts Of the Kansas senator to do
away with the Dutch standard Of color
for American sugars.
The President has had explained to him
the methods of converting cane into re-
use Of the Dutch standard in the GUS
toms laws of the country really fosters
the monopoly of the sugar trust and pre-
vents a decrease in the price of sugars
of the cheaper grades
Senator Bristow led the fight in the
Senate for the elimination OF the Dutch
standard. but lost there. The fight is to
be taken into the House. If possible. ;,
The existing law as to standard
granulated sugar. and at the same time
compels practically all sugars to be re-
fined or granulated.
Senator Bristow said today that the
beet sugar men, who are opposing the
elimination Of the standard. are simply
serving the purposes Of the sugar trust.
They were mistaken in the idea that the
cheaper grade Of sugars would hurt
their business.
II would be twenty-five years he said,
before enough beet sugar is made in the
United States to supply the demand for
Rranulated sugar, which will always be
in demand.
Promotion of Saltelmann.
A committee from the Army and Navy
Union filed with the White House today
a request that the rank of Lieut.. Santel
mann OF the Marine Band be increased
from lieutenant to captain. and that As
sistant Leader Walter F. Smith, who has
the rank of sergeant ma jor be advanced
to lieutenant.
The request is also made that the en-
increased. they having failed TO get in
creases when the pay OF enlisted men in
the army and navy was raised by Con-
gress.
The committee, consisting of Gen. A. 8.
Burt. DR.. r. r. Lee. DR.. c. Y. Petteys.
Lemuel Fugitt and c. W. Blush. have
conferred with Gen. Elliott of the Ma
rine Corps and Secretary Meyer. Both
favor the increased ranks for the leader
and assistant leader and increased pay
for the men,
President Taft and Secretary Mac
Veagh have decided that there shall be
no change in the Office Of commissioner
Of internal revenue pending the recovery
of Commissioner CaperS, who has been
i'll a long time and has gone through
twenty-seven operations. some of them
serious.
Commissioner Capers is slowly recover
ing 1t will be two months before he Is
able to resume his duties.
The decision of the President is that
the new commissioner. Royal Cabell of
Richmond, shall take Office September 1.
If Mr.. Capers has sufficiently recovered
TO have put his Office affairs in shape.
That is the date now fixed for q change.
Mr. Capers has made connections here
i'm legal practice and will open an office
in Washington
Champ Clark Is Sarcastic.
Representative Champ Clark called on
President Taft today to introduce his
children. who are going to Missouri for
the summer.
When will Congress adjourn" the
democratic leader was asked.
THE day before the vote should be
taken on Bailey's income tax law said
the Missour!an.
Representative Samuel Smith introduced
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