The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-12-07
RAILROAD PLOT SCENTED.
view On Changes In Commerce Commits
sion.

sion.
Washington, Dec. Current rumors
that Charles A. Prouty and Franklin x.
Lane Of the interstate commerce COM
mission may be transferred TO the new
commerce court have caused more eX-
citement among the progressves in
Washington than any event since they
reached here for the session These
rumors cannot at present be substanti-
ated. hence should not be taken too
seriously, yet they haze opened up a
discussion which promises TO attract
attention to the interstate commerce
commission as an almost more import
ant body, in the matter Of changes and
reappointments, than the United States
supreme court.
II is the firm belief of the men re.
sisting the proposed advances in rail-
road rates that the commission on this
and other matters has stood for long
time in certain sharply defined at
titude. In other words, that the com
mission, which consists Of seven mem
bers, stands three 20 three upon issues
favored by the railroads, with Commits
sioner Clark the pivot which at any
time may bring about i four TO three
vote. In the light Of their records
and known bent Of mind, popular opin,
ion divides the commission as follows:
More favorable TO railroads, Knapp,
Harlan and Cockrell less favorable to
railroads, Clements, Prouty and Lane;
neutral Clark
Tf 4bts. Eua-s,ya - uraftVa "a X qoU 4.
ily be seen what significance would at
tach to the removal of Mr. Prouty and
Lane. To say the least it would not
strengthen what the progressiyes term
"The cause OF the people" 1t would
be regarded, whether properly or not
as an attempt to place the railroads in
stronger position with the commits.
sion. Unless vacancies occurring from
one cause or another were F"ed with
men known to be friendly TO tie popular
side of causes coming before the com
mission, the progressyes would regard
it as a certainty that an attempt had
been made to manipulate the commits.
sion IN the interest Of the railroads.
In view Of the Importance of the Is
sues involved, your correspondent would
repeat that there is not yet solid au.
thority for asserting that the transfer
Of Messrs Prouty and Clark is to be
made Mr.. Lane in fact, is not law
yer there is some ground for believing
that eX Senator Cockrell whose term
will expire soon, will not be reappoint.
ed Whether the current rumors are
true or not, the complexion Of the com
mission is substantially as stated. Boz
that statement extraordinary Importance
will attach to forthcoming changes
! - analogous situation, as far as tho
/ progressives are concerned, is presented
with respect to the supreme court. II
was said yesterday that since his inter.
views with leading progressive senators
and representatives, President Taft has
\ changed his slate They have giyer
notice outside the White House. If not
within it, that unless men Of progress
4 sive type are appointed to the supreme
court TO Gil the two vacancies exist.
I ing the nominations will be fought ever
\ in open session on the Senate floor
/ With the country at present keenly
sensitive over certain economic questions
/ like the tariff and railroad rates, and
[ UtoIt responsive TO pt1EtNNelFt PEHEdp A
/ ings than to any other, the Importance
of the progressive element in Congress,
as an influence affecting appointment;
will readily be recognized.
In the matter OF railroad rates, q
concrete situation has shaped up through
/ the dramatic offer to Louis D. BRANDED;
Of Boston to teach the railroads how
to save a million dollars a day in tn,
cost of administration. Mr.. BRANDED.
was challenged by the railroads to Dc
this and promptly accepted the ehal
lenge. His offer had not become col,
before Rudolph Spreckles, one of tn,
4 greatest business men of the West
stepped to his side and stated that h
would give two years of his time sup
plying evidence to assist Mr.. Brandeil
in his gigantic task Others. II is under
stood, have made like voluntary offer'
and it would seem as If the Interstate
commerce commission is placed in the
embarrassing position of hesitating {,
rula upon the proposed advances in rate
desired by the railroads. The decision
certainly is hung mp temporarily, in tn
midst OF a situation unprecedented il
the history Of the commission.