The Washington herald., 1910-03-31

Declaring that the railway rate bill now
before the Senate has met the views of
the executive branch of the government
throughout three administrations, Senator
Root yesterday spoke at length in re-
gard 10 the measure.
When the Senate adjourned. at the
suggestion of Senator Aldrich. Mr.. Root
consented to the adjournment, with the
expectation of finishing his uncompieted
speech to-day.
The Senate began consideration or the
bill as soon as unfinished business was
concluded. Senator Elkins offered amend
1nents representing the views Of the Sen
ate leaders. which the opponents OF the
bill have been demanding be made public
Senator Elkins said the amendments rep
resented the views Of the majority OF
the committee. whereupon Senator Cum
minis interrupted TO say that there had
been no meeting of the committee.
They cannot, therefore, be committee
amendments" said Senator Cummins.
but are merely individual views"
Senator Elkins then said the amend
ments were not presented on behalf OF
the committee
HOarse from Cold.
Senator Root addressing the Senate.
moved over TO the center aisle, where ne
spoke from the seat of Senator Tillman,
OF South Carolina. The New York Sena-
aor was hoarse from the effects Of cold.
In the main. I am in favor OF this
bill" said Senator Root, though there
are some changes that should be made
IN it. The bill is a decided, positive and
progressive measure"
He read from messages and speeches
of President Taft and ex-President
Roosevelt in favor of the proposed legls-
Baton He said that the bill meets the
views Of the executive braneI of the
government throughout three admins
arations
$50 long" he said, las the President
asks that the law be strengthened and
the purpose of the existing law be i'm
proved. now Is the time for Congress to
act such action will not be final II
will always be necessary TO change the
law from time to time"
Highly Complicated Subject.
Speaking in behalf of the court feature
OF the bill. Senator Root said:
"Whilo 1 am not much In favor Of the
creation Of new courts. I cannot fail 10
recognize that the subject is a highly
complicated one and cannot be dealt with
OF the spur of the moment. It Is a sub
ject that requires education and wide
knowledge Of a difficult great. and alb
sruse system Of transportation in this
country. vitality affecting every business
and industry
Property rights and equity matters
such as we find in common law books
little prepare US TO consider this great
question. When these business interests
come TO us and say they need a court
10 consider and review the matters within
the jurisdiction Of the Interstate Com
Enerce Commission, feel inclined TO yield
my predisposition l have against the
creation Of new courts"
Senator Rayner, of Maryland, ques.
tioned Mr. Root regarding the para
graph in the bill, which proposed tc
turn over to the Attorney General the
conduct OF cases for the Interstate Com
merce Commission on appeal 10 the
commerce court or to the Supreme Court
The Senator from Maryland declared II
10 be an unusual proceeding" in thai
it denied hearing 10 the real party
in interest-the shipper or the community
affected.
Rights of Shippers.
Mr. Root replied that there was pro.
vision at present for the shipper OF
community TO appear at hearings ex
4cept with the indulgence of the Inter.
state Commerce Commission. The Sena.
tor from New York declared that he
,yould gladly consent to an amendment
10 permit the shipper to be represented
by counsel in the discretion of the court
q =. 90