The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-24
Makes Lengthy Speech in OPP
position to Provisions of the
Railroad Bill.
HAS SEVERAL LIVELY TILTS
WITH SUTHERLAND
Utahn Announces His Strict Ad-
herance to Platform Pledges;
Dixon After SmOOt.
Special to The Tribune.


Senator Borah OF Idaho made a speech
Of nearly two hours length in the SEN
ate this afternoon in opposition to the
provisions of the railroad bill and the
pending amendment by Senator Craw"
ford Of South Dakota.
The feature of the bill against which
Senator Borah inveighed was that which
permitted agreements between railroads
on classifcations, rates, etc, without
the approval OF the interstate COM
merce. The senator declared that the
spirit of the bill and the Crawford
amendment which apparently has the
sanction Of Senator Aldrich and the 9th
er Republican leaders, was TO repeat
not only the Sherman antitrust law
prohibiting conspiracies in restraint of
trade, but the common law as well.
Has Tilt With Sutherland.
Senator Sutherland had several lively
colloquies with Mr.. Borah in one Of
which tho Utah senator announced his
strict adherence to platform pledges and
reminded Mr.. Borah that the Chicago
platform demanded the modification Of
the Sherman antitrust law.
Senator Bacon of Georgia inquired
whether Mr.. Sutherland would legislate
in accordance with political platforms
or on his individual Judgment as SEN
ator, to which Mr.. Sutherland replied,
that he would give full weight to par
ty platform declaration.
Dixon After Smoot.
Senator Dixon of Montana has made
Senator Smoot and some OF the other
followers of Senator Aldrich in the SEN
ate from the western states uncomfort-
able with his "long and short haul
amendments. Mr.. Dixon, who is near
iDSurgent is seeking 70 break up the
practice of trans-continental railroads
in charging the full rate to the Pacific
coast from the east, plus the local rate
back 10 the interme ediate point of des
tination on through freight from the
east to intermediate points. The amend
meut is desired by all of the commercial
interests in the western and inter-moun-
tain states. This practice of the roads
has been denounced BY shippers associa-
tions IN Montana. Utah, Idaho and Ne
vada.
Cannot Serve Two Masters.
The Dixon amendment brought TO
Washington a full complement of rail
road lawyers to 6ght it. Senators El.
kiDs and Aldrich are trying TO line the
senate regulars against IL. Senator Smoot
and some Of his colleagues among the
regulars find it impossible to follow
Aldrich and serve local interests at the
same time In this instance. I
One Principal Objection.
When Mr.. Borah asserted that the
provision cited also had the effect OF
of exemptipg the roads from the oper-
alton of the common law, Mr., Elkins
expressed willingness to amend the
bill so as TO relieve it from this charge.
He said that on this point the Cum
Minis amendment went as far as his;
both legalizing agreements.
Mr.. Cummins undertook to point out
the difference and was assisted By Mr.,
Bailey. 1.-THE provision of the senator
from West Virginia, permits the con
tracts. said the senator from Texas. |
''The amendment of the senator from
Iowa permits them, but makes it inn
possible 10 carry them into execution -
MI Elkins cautioned his Republican |
against advice from the DEM
ocratic side. "Bewarc of the Greeks
when they come bearing gifts he
said
Mr., Borah announced his opposition
to any repeal Of the ANTITRUST law, but
said if it was to he superseded at all,
he would prefer the Cummins amend
ment to other suggestions.
Sutherland Butts In.
At this point Mr. Sutherland raised
the point as TO compliance with the
platform, ana Mr., Bacon
asked him whether he would permit
himself 10 be controlled by party
platform when contrary 10 his own con-
iictiou. The Utah senator replied in
he negative, but said he would hosi
ate n long time before setting up his
Individual Judgment against the com
,ined declaration of his party.
1 -ol l. |
Of Michigan, who hitherto had ex-
pressed contrary opinion, "that this
proposed legislation would harmfully or
lnwiSely change the antitrust law. |
would not vote for it If declared for
~ all the political parties in Christ
ndom.' -
Not in Accord
Mr.. Borah contended that the traf-
ic provision was not in accord, either !
With the Republican platform with q
he messages of President Roosevelt, {
T with those of President Taft, with !
he exception Of the last recommended 5
ion OF the latter ,
Mr.. Borah argued that with the FL
ins- Crawford provision enacted all the s
crime element in a combination Of c
uilroads would be eliminated. Under c
he present law, he said. the combina- o
ion constituted the crime, there could !,
e no oHcnse IN the mere ming oil G
atcs, and with the conspiracy feature II
em0ved, the roads could not be pros II
cuted under law. There could be no o
in accepting the invitation "
+ the government to enter into n Q,
ompact. Ue asserted that under this II
revision there would he general Il
grcemcnt among the railroads with the II
'sult that practically all rates would o,
D into effect without previous examina
on or approval on the part Of the
OYefnment.