The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-26
In Pointed Words the Western
Man Utters Criticisms
REPLY MADE BY ROOT
Doiiiver Says That Elkins Amendment
Legalises Criminal Act, While
Root Says the Statement
Is Extravagant

Washington, April 25.-with Senator
Dolliver criticising in pointed western
phraseology the Crawford EllSns amend
ment to the traffic agreement provision
of the railroad bill, and Senator Roo
supporting the same provision in careful
legal argument, the Senate today was the
scene of an interesting debate.
The Colorado senator took occasion tt
show some of the resentment of the in.
terference of the administration in the
proposed legislation, while Mr.. Root based
Ills support largely upon the fact that this
experience of the executive branch of the
government had suggested the necessity
for such legislation. The men differed all
along the line, but both speeches were
without personal animus.
Senator Elkins made an effort to obtain
an agreement for a vote ten days hence
but failed on account of the objection OF
Senator LaFollette, who said the Senate
had not yet had an opportunity to scru-
tinize closely more than one-half of the
BILL
Immediately after the railroad bill was
laid before the Senate today Senator
l(oiAlN touk Ills ifOOr To oppose bOIne
portions of it. Declaring the obligations
of the railroad companies to be in reali-
ty part OF the public debt, Mr.. DoIliver
said that within the last few years
right under the nose of Congress and
in the midst of the Roosevelt era lfabill-
ties have been contracted by the rail-
roads exceeding the 5000, 600 900 of public
debt which the country found saddled
upon 1t at the close of the civil war,
which our children will have to pay after
we are dead"
Contracting of Debts
These debts had been contracted, he
said, by Irresponsible railroad men to per-
NIT the harmonizing of their interests
and without adding one dollars worth of
railroad facilities. Mr.. Dolliver said he
was satisfied with whatever was done,
and the government could control the ac-
lions of the railroads, he believed. He
was of the opinion that the pending bill
paralyzes present control, and therefore
added he was discouraged over its enact
ment into law prospects. Tracing the
history of what he called 1.-The traffic
agreement scheme" Mr.. Dolliver asserted
that it was In effect a mere renewal of
the pooling system of the past.
The fact that the republican platform
declares for the traffic agreement, he
said, is not a sufficient reason for pro-
viding for them by law. He ridiculed the
declaration contained in the platform
asking for agreements which do not in
terfere with competition. He could not
bring himself to advocate the agreements
he said, even though Mr.. Roosevelt lad
announced himself for them.
Speaking of the Crawford and EllSins
amendment Mr.. Dolliver said:
TT leagalizes what is now criminal"
He said he scoffed at the idea of he
commission reducing the traffic agree
ment rates. He said they could not more
accomplish the task than could a pecker-
wood cut down telegraph pole.
Mr. Dollver closed his remarks with
prediction of the speedy termination of
the political corruption which places the
hands of party bosses and receives its
legislative orders from the attorney gen.
eral
Senator Roots Reply
Replying to Mr.. Dolliver, Senator Root
said he thought Mr. Dolliver had been led
into some extravagant statements. He
did not for instance, agree that the
American people were on the road to
slavery.
Regarding the traffic agreement pro-
vision, Mr.. Root said that as 1t now
stands it accomplishes In practical and
an effective way things which Mr.. Dol
liver had declared to be desirable. Mr..
n 1o+ eai1 he bad oeep No ayfdenCp If any