Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-21

the tariff bill out OF the way for the time
at least, is what there is for the republican
party in congress under the promises Of
its platform to do in the coming regular
session."
As to Railway Rates.
The president then outlined briefly his
well known position with regard to labor
unions and dwelt upon the necessity Of
passing at the earliest possible moment
legislation to carry out platform pledges
as to injunctions. He said also that h,
would m that congress requlr,
the railroads to adopt additional safety de
vices to guard the lives Of their employees.
But the legislation with respect to tn,
laborer," continued the president, lis not
all the legislation that the republican party
is pledged to. Indeed, when l look for
ward to the next session and realize how
much there is to be considered, L tremble
lest the, session will not be long enough,
and that it will not be possible to do all
that has been promised"
Mr.. Taft detailed the passage of the rail-
way rate bill several years ago, in which
the Interstate Commerce commission was
given authority to fix specific rates, and
continued:
lie rate Dill mas now DtGn III operation
some three years, and it must be admitted
that IL has not furnished the relief against
unduly discriminating rates with the ex-
petition and effectiveness which were ex.
pected. The republican platform promised
additional legislation in aid of enforcing
the interstate law and l have
been engaged in the consideration of what
l ought to recommend to congress in order
to comply with that promise. Those who
opposed the provision by which appeal from
the order of the commission might be taker
to the court did so because they thought
such right to appeal would offer much
opportunity to delay the proceedings.
Delay Great Defect of Law.
AN examination of the decisions of the
commission and the resort to the courts
by way of temporary injunctions fully
Justify the conclusion that one of the de,
fects of the present interstate
law As the delay entailed by litigation in
the court over the correctness of the order
of the commission,
The court appeal cannot be abolished
because It is a constitutional right. Some
thing must be done 70 reduce It's effect by
way Of delay SO that the decision of the
1T is proposed now by a number OF
court shall be prompt, final and effective
gentlemen of my cabinet who have con
state Commerce Commission to facilitate
these appeals from the commission by the
creation of a separate interstate commerce
court of five members, which shall sit ir
Washington ,snd which shall be the only
court to Which petitions to set aside oil
nullify the orders of the Interstate Com.
merce Commission can be made, and it il
proposed to allow a single Judge to make
an order staying the proceedings Of th'
Interstate Commerce Commission but sixty
days, and thereafter that no injunction
shall be allowed against the order Of the
commission unless granted by the Who'll,
court of five members.
Il know that objection will be made e
the cpea ion of this court. In one Of thu
bills originally introduced such a separate
court was provided for, but the provision
was defeated. A tariff court has been pro
vided in the new tariff bill, to consist o.
five members, whose judgment shall b.
final on all questions arising under th'
administration Of the tariff. l am strongly
inclined to think that a similar court, eN
cept that an appeal ought to lie from /
to the supreme court, will serve the pur
pose of expedition and the dispatch o