Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-09
'SI|RS RAILWAY MEN.
SENATOR cUMMINs ADDRESSES
TRAFFIC MANAGERS IN CHI
cAGo.
PROPOSES TO EMPOWER
COMMISSION TO FIX RATES
cummins Tells Railroad Men What
Ais the Country in No Uncertain
Terms-some Of His Suggestions Re-
ceivsd in Silence BY Men Whom He
critieized-Praise and Condemnation.


Chicago, Feb. s-Albert B. Cummins
United States senator from Iowa
known as an 'insurgent," but en-
phatically described by himself as a
progressive" told the Traffic Club OF
Chicago last night what ais the ma
ton and what to do about it. More
particularly he advocated the princi-
pies of rate regulations, embodied in
his bill, now before congress, the most
radical departure being the proposal
that the interstate commerce commits
sion have the initia tive in the fixing Of
rates.
The 200 railway men and traffic
mana gers assembled in the big banquet
hall al the La Sale hotel applauded
heartily when the speakers insurgency
| seethed out in patriotic generaliries, but
when the general principles were ap-
! piled 10 legislation existing and pro-
posed they recognized the climaxes
+ only by the most decorous applause,
and when the senator Landed Theodore
Roosevelt as deserving the credit for
the Hepburn bill they simply heard
him.
Endeavors to Make Converts.
/ Senator Cummins' supjec, was: The
Interstate Commerce Conmission-The
+ additional powers it requires to fulfill
! its functions more com pletsly." He be-
gan with the announcement that he
( knew almost every one in the room dis
agreed with him in nearly everything,
but he hoped 10 have them all con-
verified by the time he sat down. He
spoke for almost an hour on progress
sives" and "standpatrers," on princi-
pies of government, and on the prob
lem presented by monopolistic private
corporations before tackling the rate
making question.
His hearers acted as If they had
taken TO heart the words of their pres
!dent when he compared the Traffic
Club and its guests 10 railway train,
saying:
The company would like TO have il
distinctly understood that 1t is in no
way responSihle~.sF the acts Of itsl
agents. Il disciaims all responsibility
for erroneous quotations or for devia-
tons or delays in transit"
The senator declared that the too
great strength Of great corporations is
the greatest evil in the country, and
urged the encouragement of compe-
tition IS the one thing essential to keep
this strength within bounds. He warned
his hearers that If monopoly became
supreme the people would rise in wrath
and take 4over-t,at mon opoly for them
selves and that socialism would be the
result.
Gives Praise to Railways.
He drew enthusiastic applause when
he declared his own impartiality. cit
ing as evidence his twenty years serv-
ice Of railroads. and then said:
These channels of transportation,
these arteries Of the nations life blood, |
are just as necessary TO the welfare
and prosperity of the people, just as
essential to maintain their soundness,
Just as essential TO promote their
growth, as is the air they breathe to
sustain their lives
THE man who deliberately attempts !
to awaken prejudice against this vast
and mighty factor of our civilization
is a traitor to his country. as he is an
enemy to his fellow men"
He described the present situation in
congress thus:
There are people who believe that
Notwithstanding some uncertainty of
what ought to be done, yet, that obey
ing the impulse of the times, we ought |
to go on and do the best we can, earn
estly hoping that, in the light of ex-
perience we may be able to correct
any mistakes that we make. These
people have become known in the |
United States as the progressives, and |
l am one of them.
There is another class of people, and !
they are just as good in many ways. |
who believe that, unless they are abb |
solutely sure no harm will be done to |
the railway companies nothing ought |
TO be attempted. And there is still an
other class who constitutionally fear |
and trenlble before they take any steps |
whatever. and these are the stand |
patters OF the United States"
The argument for increased powers |
for the interstate commerce commits /
sion based on the allegation that the |
present evil is not discrimination be- !
tween individuals. but discrimination |,
between communities, and that only |
the great general movement, which |
can see and which has at heart the in
tefests OF the whole country can deal
with this problem. He has declared
the rulings OF the commission are at |
present evaded by the railroads nell
tralizing one rate fixed by it by chang
ing another. He urged that the COM
mission should raise rates as well as
lower them.
-------
Toledo News Briefs.
Special to Times-Republican.
lndn al, O ~ lfre !