The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-16
.CUMM|NS ASSA|lS
METHODS OF TEFT;
|Objects to 3EX cutive At
tempting ito EPresc scribe
Legislation
DISCUSSION OF
RAILROA I'D BILL.
Iowa Senator Expresses opposi-
ton to Measure, Even Though
This Might Result in Effort
to Drive Him From Party.
Origin Of
Measure.

z ] Z 4, ! 81 "
Washington. March 15.-That he
would oppose the administration rail-
road bill, even thought 1T might re-
suit in an effort to run him out OF
the party, Senator Cummins declared
In the Senate to-day. He was making
the initial speech on the railroad BILL.
and commenting especially upon the
history Of the measure. which, he said.
| had originated In the executive branch
of the government rather than In Con-
| gress. 81
After occupying its place on the
Senate calendar for eighteen days. the
bill was taken UP at 2 o'clock, and
thus was launched the discussion Of
| what the members OF the Senate re-
gard as the most important legislation
| before Congress. The Iowa Senator
had proceeded for only about two
hours when he asked leave to suspend
until Tomorrow. 81
The leave was granted. but Senator
Hale, chairman OF the Republican
caucus. gave notice that hereafter the
bill would be kept constantly before
the Senate. In language just as posi-
tive. Mr. Bailey declared that the bill
Congress was liable still to be con-
sidering 1t when the dog days" ar
rived.
Presidents Course CRITICIZED.
Mr.. cummins criticized the course
OF the President, and declared his in-
tentlon OF opposing the bill in Its
present shape. even at the expense of
the severe displeasure OF the Chief
Executive.
III the uncontradicted and repeated
and apparently authorized statements
of the newspapers be not In error.
every Republican at least is expected
to vote for It Just as 1t Is. unless he
dares to incur not only the executive
displeasure. but to be banished from
the Republican ranks said Mr. Cum
Minis. s5iss ~ 33
whether he III With his prtyilege
or his duty VI i.e;s ils ndartai9es to
Iprescribe tho precise form NJ hIch legis-i
t5lation shall assume. may we'll be
doubted.
II would not. however be inclined
/ to attach much Importance to the prac-
tice. which now seems to be very gem
Ieral. weresit not that its consequences
In the very rature OF things must be
disastrous. @
IT do not fear that In slight in-
stance. or, during one administration,
| the independent will Of the members
\ OF Congress- can be overcone: but II
upon subjects like the one before US
the practice OF having bills prepared
in the executive offices, and presented
4 with an implied message that punish
iment follows disobedience. in continued
from year to year. in the end Congress
will become aSmere form in organized
society. "A;
With the utmost respect for the
exalted Office OF President Of the
United States, and for him who oc,
cupies 1t at the present time, i record
my protest here and now against q
4 practice which I belisve to be full Of
4 danger and disaster"
Origin of the Measure.
Declaring to be extraordinary the
q circumstances connected with the ori-
gin OF the bill. the Iowa Senator de.
! tailed the meeting last August OF At
torney-General Wickersham in New
s|fYork with % thers. who. he said. had
Z undertaken to put into shape for en-
s actment the various recommendations
/ OF the President bearing upon railroad
i Legislation. The report. as made to the
chief executive. was supposedly conn-
. Dental, he said. .sbut as a ma tier OF fact
I long before 1T reached the President. 4
Il had fallen into the hands OF the rail
& road men. E;y ~ 3Ss issss3 isss III =,
4 Discussing the progress Of I'll bil
d after 1t reached the President. Mr.
n Cummins declared that 1t had beer
y EISvastly changed. Indeed, lie declared
Il E..but for the blrthmark OF tho Com.
merce Court. no one would recognize
d the measure tina was born in the l"doe
s days up there In NNW Y Yorls g
y These changes he attributed to tn,
I Influence Of the railroad men which
: had been brought to bear upon tn,
!, President and the atorney-generads be
! fore. January Il, when the bill wa
s presented to the chairman OF Sthe Con,
! 5mittee on Interstate Commerce.
HeSassertod from the time the meas
{ Lure had been turned over toFtheN Presi
!, l3dent, to the time 4 7 had left him. near
Silly every railroad president In thu
country had listed sNYashington ant
! had been heard by the President ant
q the attorney-g general, many Of then
\ twice. Substantially every change hat
j, been made to suit the railroads.
WOODR UFFsI IS SATISFIED