Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-08
AFTER JAPANESE
COME RAILROADS
LEGISLATURE SOON TO TAKE
UP VITAL MEASURES
OLD ORDER OF MACHINE REGIME
MAY DISAPPEAR
Conditions at Sacramento Justify the
Fond Hope That at Last the
Common Public May
Be Protected


the death knell of race track gambling
appears to have been sounded, and with
some kind of solution-right or wrong
to the Japanese problem at last in
sight, the attention of our states law
makers soon will be directed to the
many pro and con railway measures
pending before it.
Two years ago not even the most op-
timistic advocates of fair treatment at
the hands of the great railroads in Cal
fOrnia would have dared to hope that
what now appears to be in sight could
have been brought to pass in many
long year But the old order of things
is changing-yes, it may truthfully be
said that the old order has changed.
Sad havoc has been wrought in the
ranks of those who in years past re-
sponded instantaneously to the beck of
monopoly. Within two years the mas
ter and the servants have exchanged
places.
The senate has found ITSELF" so far
as railroad legislation is concerned. It
is true that the committees in charge
of the proposed railroad legislation may
fail to report favorably upon certain
strong features of proposed laws de-
manded by the people, but by the time
the senate itself is able to get into
action the attitude of the whole state
undoubtedly will have become so un-
SerVient tools of the railroad will dare
to go upon record against q bill en-
bodying features that the people are
determined shall become law.
Want Real Reciprocaton
From the Siskiyous to Tia Juana
there is an insistent demand for a re-
ciproca1 demurrage bill which actually
reciprocrates. The measure introduced
by Senator Stetson at the request of
Governor Gillett and Attorney General
Webb contains no provision for recipro-
cal demurrage. Attorney General Webb
has gone upon record as opposing a
reciprocal demurrage clause in the Stet-
son bill, so-called. 1t has been pointed
out that if a separate bill should be
made to provide for reciprocal demur-
rage penalties, such a bill might be
vetoed by the governor, leaving upon
the statute books a law pleasing to the
railroads.&c. not precisely pleasing, still
acceptable, as the best obtainable by
them in the face Of the strong public
opinion demanding a more drastic
measure.
While the assembly committee on
federal relations is dillydallying with
Senator Sanford's resolution asking
congress to consider the recommended
tions of Joseph L. BriStow, sepcial
Panama railroad commissioner, that a
federal line of steamers be put into
Panama and Pacific ports of the United
States, obviously in the hope of kill
ing the resolution, the fighters in the
senate are equipping themselves for
successful action-they are arranging
matters so that no member of either
house can avoid going upon record for
or against wise and widely sought rail-
road legislation.
A Drastic Resolution
The most drastic resolution pertain
ing to railroads thus far introduced is
that proposed by Senator Cartwright,
which instructS the attorney general
to institute criminal proceedings
against railroads and other common
carriers participating in the recent ad-
vance in rates. There is no doubt that
this resolution will be reported favor
ably, it having been referred to the
federal relations committee. If adopt
ed and the attorney general institutes
proceedings without delay, more of
practical nature will have been accom-
plished than under any other step thus
far taken.
The Cartwright resolution gets right
down to business. There is no evasion
no quibbling. The disclosures incident
to a legal proceeding of this nature if
conscientiously fought out, will result
in the development of such an over
whelming sentiment in favor of the
better regulation of the railroads IN
California as to make it almost the
sole issue in the next campaign in the
cases of several members of the legisIa-
ture.
In conclusion, it is only necessary
to state that the railroad lobbyists ap-
parently are satisfied with the Webb
bill. This in itself ought to be enough
to insure its defeat in its present form
Important Measures
Several other important measures will
be acted upon this week, chief among
which are the so-calIed Sunday rest
law, the direct primary law, and the
free text book bill.
The question Of submitting to the
people a constitutional amendment set
ting aside Sunday as a day upon which
no business may be legally transacted
will be taken up in the assembly on
Thursday at the request of it's author
Johnson of Sacramento. The bill was
reported unfaVorably by the committee
and was then amended by a select COM
mittee so as 20 eliminate all the fea-
lures except that relating to saloons.
The question will be upon the adop-
tion of the measure as amended.
Also on Thursday the assembly will
consider the constitutional amendment
introduced by w. ]. Costar of Chico
giving all citizens the right to fish in
any stream or fish preserves within the
state.
In the senate the principal special
order Of business will be consideration
of the Estudillo free text book cOnsti-
tutional amendment, which was refused
passage last week. Senator Estudillo
gave notice that he would move on
Monday to reconsider the vote.
The direct primary and railroad car
and rate regulation bills will be dis
cussed late this week, and early next
week. The former probably will oc-
casion fight on the floor of the SEN
ate week from tomorrow and the lat
ter will be given a public hearing on
Thursday by the senate committee on
corporations.
Ianannrn nirn,,.- r-..I..