Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-19
cuMMlNs COMPLETES SPEECH.


Merger Feature Of Rail Bill.
Washington, March 19.-After hold
ing the floor for four days Senator
Cummins completed his speech in OPP
position to the administration railroad
bill and the senate adjourned until
Monday next.
The Iowa senator's discussion yes
terday dealt principally with the pro-
vision regulating the consolidation OF
railroads, and with this provision he
found much fault. Pointing out that
the regulation extends to railroads
alone he declared that In the omis-
sion of water lines there was posi-
bility of great abuse He referred to
the prospective completion of the Pan
ANA canal and said It would be inn
possible to prevent the transcontinen-
tai railroads from acquiring the water
lines, thus cutting out all competition
He also called attention to the fact
that electric lines were specifically ex-
Guided from the provision, and de-
clared it would be possible for an cleo
trio line to gain control Of all the rail-
roads in the country.
Mr.. Cummins also criticised the
words directly competitive" as def1n-
ing the lines which may not consoli-
date. He said such language would af-
ford much margin and 1t was doubtful
whether many lines would be found
to come within the elastic prohibition.
Mr. Cummins engaged in a colloquy
with Senator Elkins during which he
declared Il want to prevent competing
lines from consolidating"
THAT is what we all want" re-
sponded Mr.. Elkins. Il am glad to see
that the senator from Iowa is bringing
himself into substantial accord with
his committee.
You mean that the committee is be-
ing driven gradually to accept my po-
sition," retorted Mr. Cummins. -
Mr. Aldrich interpreted this state
ment as an ultimatum, and remarked
that it seemed to be one of several ulti-
matunns which that senator had un-
dertaken to lay down. Mr.. Cummins
disavowed any such purpose.
Senator Nelson suggested the strik-
ing out of the entire provision regard
ing railroad mergers. leaving the anti
trust law to control in such cases. II
we adopt this section. it will be folly
to carry on further the prosecution OF
the Union Pacific merger" he said.
Mr. Cummins took up the provision
placing the approval or disapproval OF
consolidation agreements in the discre-
ton of the proposed court Of COM
merce, and declared it to be extraordi-
nary and unconstitutional because, as
he contended, it delegated legislative
authority to the court. Senator Borah
inquired who was the author Of the
provision.
Search u.s." calculated Senator
C1app.
Mr.. Cummins suggested the attorney
general as the real author and init
mated he believed the president to be
responsible for the original suggestion
'It is plain" interjected Senator Nell
son. that the bill is an orphan"
Mr.. Overrnan did not agree with him
in view of Senator Cummins' state
ment and Senator Elkins thought Its
paternity quite unimportant.
"It is here" he said. land the ques-
ton is whether it is right. and whether
we ought to vote for it regardless Of its
origin"
Senator Borah said he did not be-
lieve that as a lawyer the president
would contend for the constitutionality
of the provision. Senator Cummins
pleaded for an impartial consideration
Of the question, saying that it was one
of the most important subjects with
which legislation could possibly deal
When he concluded he was congratu-
lated by number OF senators.