The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-28
Republicans and Democrats
 Unite In Dislike of Measure II IS TOO MUCH D|cTAT|ON
Congressman Richardson Tells in Plain Language Just Wherein Lies the Animus Toward the Luckless
 Railroad Bill
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEy

Washington April 27.-(Speeial)-It is no wonder that the administrations rail road bill is having such hard sledding. Not only democrats. >but many repnh- licans as well, resent the manner in which the President, through his Attor- ney General. has been pressing the "ad- nlinstration bill' upon Congress.
 Representative Richardson of Alabama, member of the interstate and foreign commerce committee. which committee prepared the bill, had this to say: "The manner by which the President shall ap proach Congress on legislative subject Is plain. simple and worthy of commen- dalton. Such tendency. as is here demonstrated. to direct influence or ap- peal to Congress by the President except in the channel provided by the eonstitu- tion, ought not to be condoned by silence. Speaking for the minority we challenge any member of Congress to point to any instance in the past history of our re- public where bill was submitted to committee of the Congress, drawn at the instance and aid of the President of the United States and declared to be the Presidents bill and should be made law
 'We declare, without the remotest de- sire to reflect on the character or ability of the President, that the true history of this bill, it's preparation, it's manipulation, is mortifying and discouraging com mentary upon the representatives of the people who are sent here to Washing ton to frame laws at the dictation of their best and most independent judgment for the welfare of all the people of the coun- try. Does any man pretend to say. with the environments of Washington and the allurments of potentialites of official life, that member of Congress, being properly advised that the President re- quested that such a bill become law, is unmoved and uninfiuenced by that in formation?
 Tt is in no sense free government and responsible to. the wishea and l'lterssts of the people if members of the Con gross are not free, untrammeed by off cial influence. either to reject or accept any legislative measure suggested by the President.
 How reprehensible would the entire country view 1t if the Congress by legis- lative act would even intimate what the supreme court should decide in case pending before that august tribunal. Im- proper legislative interference, for obvi- ous reasons, Is more culpable than that. How does this matter show up on its face? Here is bill admittedly. stating 1t most mildly bearing the indorsement of the President and drafted by his Att torney General. that transfers the vital and important work of the commerce commission to the department of justice, over which the Attorney General who drafts the bill with that provision in it, presides'
 The administrations eastern papers are busily booming Theodore Roosevelt for the Senate and Son-in-law Nick Long, worth for the republican nomination for governor of Ohio. The hope is that Roose- March next, would remain there and the election of Longworth over Judson Harmon. All of 1t would be fine for Taft, but Roosevelt's friends are not warm ing up
 The bill to prevent gambling in cotton will come up in the House in about three weeks. and be passed The measure, which was introduced by Representative Scott was before the rules committee to- day. The committee decided that as the railroad bill and the sundry civil bill must be passed before any other business is considered the Scott bill would not be acted upon for at least two weeks.