The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-13
Wisconsin Senator Condemns
Method of COnSO|idat-
ing Railroads
LODGE AND GALL|NGER
SPEAK IN DEFENSE
Eeuntor LnFoIlette Attacks the Attor-
ncy Generals 0fflce for the Way
the Two Massachusetts
soads Were United

Washington, April 12.-Incidental to the
1 consideration of the administration rail-
road bill the merger of the Boston and
Maine railroad with the New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad through the
railroad holding law. enacted by the Mas
sachusetts legislature in 1909, was dis
cusse at length today in the Senate.
The principal speech attacking the con-
solidation in unstinted language was made.
by Senator LaF'ollette and consumed the
larger part of the days session. Brief re-
sponses by Senators Lodge and Gallinger
we're made at the. close of the Wisconsin
senator's speech.
The New England senators defended the
merger and upheld the law under which
It was made.
Mr.. LaFollette practically charged that
the enactment had been consummated as
the result of the dictation of President
Mellen of the New Haven road, who he
tntimated represented the Morgan-Rock-
tfeller interests. He quoted from men,
Der of the Massachusetts legislature a
statement to the effect that Governor
Draper had responded to an ultimatum
from the New Haven interests. He un-
aertook to show that the federal merger
suit which had been instituted during the
Roosevelt administration had been dis
missed at the dictation of Attorney Gem
sraI Wickersham under the Taft admin
stration for the inadequate reason that
Massachusetts legislators had passed
he holding bill under which the consoll-
fatiop was effected.
The argument covered Il wide range of
accusations, but the criticism of Attorney
General Wic1ersham was especially
pointed.
Very Positive Defense
The responses by Messrs. Lodge and
Gallinger were just as positive in their
sefense. Both New England senators de-
tended the character of the Attorney
General both as a lawyer and as a man.
1t was toward the close of his speech
That Mr.. LaFollette made his sharpest
reference to Mr.. Wickersham. He ex-
claimed: '1s this the wise legislation en-
bodying no sudden impulse but matured
riews expressed in party council which
lhe Attorney General in his recent speech
1t Chicago said, is pressed for enact
nent?' Is it for legislation such as
his that the Attorney General commands
LII who would not be read out of the re-
publican party to get in line?" asked the
speaker.
The session was almost spent when the
wisconsin senator concluded his set
speech.
Mr.. Lodge was the first to speak
n reply. Declaring he could not af-
iord TO allow what Mr.. LaFollette had
iaid to pass without a word regarding
lhe attitude of the people of Massa
shusetts, he entered upon a statement
\ attended to show that Mr.. LaFollettes
,utline of the situation had not been
tccurate.
In the first place he declared the
Hew Haven road and the Boston and
Maine road were not competing lines
ma he asserted that the necessity for
lhe consolidation had been found in
he poor financial condition of the lat
er road which was such as to render
impossible for 1t to make necessary
improvements, said the speaker Go
ng into the details as to the legisla-
non, Mr.. Lodge in defense of Gov
irnor Draper said that that official had
Fiven the subject most careful consid-
iration and he continued
Defense of Draper
act that no more honorable and no
more public spirited man ever held Of
Ice than he, nor is there in the United
states today any man less subject to
tictation. No railroad president went
nto Governor Draper's office and un-
iertook to dictate what he should do"
Mr.. Lodge then admitted that differ
mces had arisen among the people of
massachusetts, and outlying the holding
lill asserted it had been so framed as
20 safeguard the interests of the peo-
ie. lie deprecated the agitation of
me subject by one who was not en-
irely familiar with it.
senator Gallinger defended the At
orney General and asserted the right
new England to conduct It's own
pvslness was hers. Speaking of the
vet of Governor Draper, he stated he
NJ iad acted with absolute fearlessness
md under complete conviction as to
n ne wisdom and uprightness of his
.ourse.
senator LaFollette then devoted his
smarks to the Massachusetts, state leg
station authorizing the acquisition of
he Boston and Maine stock bv hold :
ng company but failed to find in this
legislation anything like the import
tnce attached to 1t by Mr.. Wicker
nam. He asserted that Mr.. Wicker
.ham had permitted state legislation
70 supercede federal legislation in a
natter in which interstate commerce.
vas largely concerned.
Think of it," Mr. LaFollette shout
ID, this great case involving the
transportation of New England and
III the people of the country engaged
n trade with New England, after ~
months of preparation and successfuI
prosecution on the part of the gov
brnment has reached stage where tba
defendants are compelled to take the
btand and make their showing and
lhen like a thunderbolt from a clear
NY comes the order from Washington: !:
Dismiss the governments CASE"
Reasons Not Good
Quoting the Attorney Generals assign
vu4nts as reason for this action, the
act OF the passage of the holding BILL
~ Wisconsin senator declared 1t to be
otally inadequate.
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