The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-05-28
HITS RAILROADS
lafOllet,s Says They DOM
mate Congress.
DEMANDS RATE DECREASE
Wisconsin Senator Declares Morgan
and Rockefeller Head Trust
Controlling 200. 600 Miles
Of Track.
DEMANDS RATE DECREASE

Washington. MAY Ex-senator La
Toilette. OF Wisconsin. launched an AT.
tack on the railroad bill in the senate.
declaring that instead OF increases in
freight rates there should be de-
Creases
His speech was in support OF the
Cummius amendment TO the bill.
which would require the approval OF
the interstate commerce commission
before Increases in rates could be put
into effect
Il Is expected that the fua. vote on
the bill with the sections regulating
capitalization eliminated. will De- taken
in the senate either Saturday OF early
next week
Saying that Of the 2s0.o00 miles OF
railroads in the United States. six
great groups controlled 200 600 miles.
Mr.. LaFollette found that there was
really little variety OF interest In rail.
road ownership in the United States.
leaving the control practically in one
gigantic trust
lie found Morgan and Rockefeller
az the head of the entire fabric and
predicted that ultimately those two
names would stand not only for the
financial but for the production and
transportation interests as well.
There is not one line in the stat.
utes TO give the people reasonable
railroad rates" declared Senator La
Toilette. in opening his speech. An
that has been accomplished is to ar
lord a means OF giving equal rates 70
shippers"
The interest OF the shipper was by
no means the interest Of the general
public. he asserted. He declared the
people generally were as much enti.
tied TO protection as the shippers.
Forty years ago the fight began with
that end in view. he said. and il was
as much fight against eXtortion as
against discrimination. but in the for
mer respect there had been an utter
failure
The senator emphasized his conten-
lions on huge chart 90 show the rel
alive importancesof the various rail
road groups"
The interstate commerce commits
sion is engaged in mere child's play. d"
he said. adding that IL was so hedged
about that il could not effectively deal
with the problem
The rules OF the senate seem 10 be
so formed as TO prevent one from
speaking the truth. The railroads have
been having their way for forty years
We have the sins OF many congresses
to atone FOR before We permit this bill
10 20 from our hands"
While the rate regulation provision
OF the presidents original bill was in
the public interest. Mt LaFollette
said. the provision had been modified
by Senators Aldrich and Elkins wholly
in the interest OF the railroads.
Since Jan. l. he said. the rates on
wool from St Louis and Duluth TO
New York had Increased II and Is
per cent; on grain and grain products.
domestic from St Louis to New York.
IS per cent. and from Chicago to New
York. 80 per cent. Missouri river
points 10 East St Louis. % per cent.
and the rates on horses and mules
between St Paul and Lacrosse. 10 per
cent
Out OF a multitude OF rates to be-
come effective June l he cited the fol-
lowing: Agricultural implements. Chi
cago to ST. Paul. l3ls per cent: brick.
St Paul to Chicago. 16 % per cent:
cement St Paul TO Chicago. % per
cent; harness &C. L.. St Paul 70 Chi
cago. Is per cent; hides green salO
St Paul 70 Chicago. 243 per cent:
paints. Chicago TO 81. Paul 1874 per
cent; wagons. Lake City. MINI. 10 ST.
Louis. l4.4 per cent; wool. ST. Paul to
Chicago. Is per cent.