New-York tribune., 1910-01-08
MESSAGE IN HOUSE.
Has Profound Effect ON Mem
bers-Comment of Leaders.
[From The Tribune Bureau. ]

IFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Jan. THE serious tone Of
the Presidents message appeared 10 have
quieting effect on the House to-day. for
during the reading absolute order was
preserved. and an unusually large number
of Representatives followed it with marked
attention. When the reading ended. the
customary applause followed 1t was not
until the members had an opportunity TO
discuss the message among themselves that
the profound impression created by the
Presidents recommendations became ap-
parent Even the Democrats. said they were
unpleassntly surprised by the solidity and
breadth of the programme and the care
full study which the message demonstrated.
Representative Charles z. Townsend of
Michigan. one of the Presidents advisers
on interstate commerce regulation, and a.
man to whom much credit is due for the
passage of the Hepburn rate law, fairly
exuded enthusiasm. President Roosevelt
told me- he said. that Mr. Taft would
go even further than he in the matter of
railroad regulation This message proves
Mr. Roosevelt's assertion and demon
strates that the President is determined
10 carry out the Roosevelt policies. The
measures for which the President stands
in this message are exceedingly drastic,
and II Is evident LQdL ne N4u HOL Ncohtu
in the least essential in the face of six
railroad presidents. -Four recommended
tions are of the utmost Importance. These
are the Interstate Commerce Court. the
shippers right to route his own freight,
the obligation OF railroads TO stand by the
rates quoted by their agents. and the In
terstate Commerce Commissions right TO
suspend the operation OF increased freight
raes until their justice has been investt-
gated.
1.The President has added a new feature
NJ his own accord. He has provided for
restrictions on stocks and bonds, which are
of immense Importance, and which Will
prevent the watering Of stock The only
material change from the programme sub
nitted TO him by those whom he consulted
on this question is with regard 10 stock
control in one railroad by another. When
Attorney General Wickersham. Chairman
Knapp of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission and others whom the President
consulted laid their plan before him it was
thought best TO prevent one railroad from
holding any competing line. and where this
was the case the stock was Immediately
TO be disposed of. 1 do not know that
ever entirely approved OF this. I am not
entirely certain OF its wisdom The Presi-
dent has provided that hereafter no stock
ownership shall be acquired by any rail-
road in competing line
TOWNSEND TO OFFER BILL
Mr. Townsend has been selected by the
President 10 introduce his bill and to be
it's sponsor on the floor. After the strong
tight which Mr. Townsend made for the
Hepburn bill there are few who doubt his
ability to handle President Taft's measure.
An attempt is being made TO construe the
Presidents action in selecting Mr.. Town
send as fling at Representative Mann, of
Illinois. chairman OF the Interstate Com
merce Committee, but as Mr.. Mann has al
ready introduced measure differing some
what from the Presidents neither he nor
his friends feel that Mr.. Taft would have
been justified in placing the bill In his
hands. Mr.. Mann Is. in the first place. Op-
posed 10 the Commerce Court, and his bill
makes no mention of IT, The restrictions
on stocks and bonds are also omitted from
the Mann bill, and in other minor details
there is not entire agreement between the
two measures. Mr.. Mann Is looked 20,
however. for strong support, and II IS Ger
tain that he Will do nothing 10 defeat the
Presidents ends except that he is pre-
pared TO fight the Commerce Court.
Representative Dalzell OF PENNSYLVANIA.
expressed the opinion that the message
was one OF the most carefully prepared
documents he had ever read. This view
was shared by Representative Payne. or
New York To these conservative EXPIRES
sions were added volumes of praise from
other Republican members.
Representative Roberts. of Massachusetts.
said The message is very convincing
document. IL contains nothing revolution
ary and nothing that will disturb business
conditions The subjects dealt with are
complex. and their treatment by the Execu-