Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-05-28
SAYS RAILROADS
BOSS CONGRESS
Senator LaFOlIette Demands
Rate Decrease.
GIGANTIC TRUST IN CvaTROL
Declares Morgan and Rockefeller Con-
troll 100000 Miles Of Traek--Shows
How Rates Have Been Increased.

troll 100000 Miles Of Traek--Shows
How Rates Have Been Increased.
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
Cummlns amendment TO the bill.
which would require the approval OF
the interstate commerce commission
before increases In rates could be pus
into effect.
II Ia expected that the final vote on
the bill, with the sections regulating
capitalization eliminated. will be taken
In the senate either Saturday or early
next week.
Saying that of the 100000 miles OF
railroads In the United States. six
great groups controlled 100000 miles.
Mr.. LaFollctte 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.
He found Morgan and Rockefeller
at 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. "All
that has been accomplished is TO at
ford means Of giving equal rates to
shippers"
The interest OF the shipper was by
no means the interest Of the general
public, he asserted. He declared the
people generally were az much emit.
tied to protection as the shippers.
Forty years ago the fight began with
that end In view. he said. and II was
as much n fight against extortion as
against discrimination. but in the for
mer respect there had been an utter
failure.
The senator emphasized his conten-
tions on huge chart to show the rel
alive importance OF the various rail.
road ''groups.'
The interstate commerce commits
sion Is engaged In mere child's play"
he said adding that II was so hedged
about that II could not effectively deal
with the problem.
The rules OF the senate seem TO 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
to go from our hands"
While the rate regulation provision
of the presidents original bill was in
the public interest. Mr.. LaFollette
said, the provision had been modified
by Senators Aldrich and Elkins wholly
in the interest of the railroads.
Since Jan. /, 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. 30 per cent: Missouri river
points to 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 he cited the fol.
lowing. Agricultural indictments. Chi.
cago TO 81. paul. 1917 per cent brick,
81. Paul to Chicago. Is % per cent;
cement. ST. Paul TO Chicago, 25 per
cent: harness &C. L.. ST. Paul to Chi
cago. is per cent; hides tgreen salp.
81. Paul 20 Chicago. 243 per cent;
paints. Chicago TO ST. Paul. 1874 per
cent; wagons. Lake City. Mimi. TO ST.
Louis. 14.4 per cent; wool. st. Paul to
Chicago, Is per cent.