The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-15
TO ENJOIN
 FEDERAL
 COURTS
Action of Governors to Prevent Interference With Power of State to Fix Railroad Rates
Cows. Harmon, Hadley and Aldrich Appointed Committee to Appear Before U. s. Supreme Court
Special from United Press.)

Supreme Court Especial from United Press.) Spring Lake. N. J., Sept. 15-''Ws have made history This was tht way the Governors here today sum I med up the situation following thu appointment of Governors Harmon Hadley and Aldrich as a committee ! to appear before the Supreme Cour1 fof the United States to argue againS the interference of Federal courts with the power of a State to fix railroad rates within it's own boundaries. l Governor Harmon, chairman of the new committee, which marked a new departure in American affairs, was asked for his opinion today, and sadc to the United Press: ''Here is a law suit in which the rights of the State to fix transporta- ton rates within it's own borders is questioned. I am the only Governor who has ever been attorney general they wanted me on this committee for that reason. It's purely a legal matter, no politics in it at all."
 Governor Stubbs,- of Kansas, today said:
 Tt was merely good. hard common sense. All the States are interested in conserving their rights and every of the Supreme court. There was no politics in the action at all" Governor Aadrich. of Nebraska, whose attack upon Federal Judge Sanborn precipitated the situation that resulted in the action of the Gov ernors, said that it was the most sweeping and concerted action ever taken by the States and that he was very much gratffied.
 'sWlhy, I never would have been Governor if the railroads hadn't got too high handed in 1906 and had to fight t1hem,'' said Governor A1drfch. ssI am still fighting them and with all the States getting together on this 'question, we ought to get some re- s1ltS.''
 Never was there a more surprised set of mon than the 27 Governors in session here when their action had been construed as a political move designed to affect the coming Presi- dentia1 contest. I'm defense of their action against this change, they point ed to the. original statement of pIr- poses of the House Of Governors writ ten five years aFpt as fol1ows@
 "A 1aEW ddea h. Z mel1can politiae-tO bring the States into closer harmony; !; to lessen standardization; to safeguard States rights: to be a freer. fuller voice of the American people. and make stronger nation" Av
 All the Governors denied that there was the slightest political significance back of the action. designed to bring forcfbly to the attention of the su- preme court the united sentiment of the State.
 Governor Gilchrist. Florida, today said:
 ssThere is no use saying our action was radical. Every State has a railroad commission and the Cover nDrs had to take the action to protect the rights of these commissions But if were a member of the Supreme nors before, the court would have no effect unless they had the law on their side You can't ballldoze the Supreme court"
 Governor Hawley. of Idaho. said:
 The States have to stand together. If the Federal courts assume control over strictly State matters, the States won't last long.'
 Governor ONeil. of Alabama, said:
 "If the Supreme court decides that the States have not the right to fight interstate railroads, it will have the effect of reducing the States to mere provinces of a centralized power"
 Governor Hay. of Washington, said:
 '"The Governors appearing before the Supreme court as the representatives of the other Governors cannot help but have a proper effect. Our action was merely for self protection. States rights must be conserved"
 Governor Shafroth, of Colorado, said:
 s'We don't want to offend any court, but we want our rights protected. r."
 [L&ryn r,f ,iv,irr i'd
 'sI think our action is clearly in ltne with public sentiment. The States cannot permit the Federal gov ernment to absorb them complete ly"
 Governor Toss, Massachusetts, said:
 There is nothing radical about our action, even if it is new. It ensures the States ample representation before the Supreme court"
 Governor Wilson, New Jersey. said:
 "Onr stand is novel but sane and necessary
 Governor Gaasscock, of West vir- ginia. said:
 T am afraid our action is offensive to the Supreme court. think it would have been better had we not been so radical
 Governor Pothier, of Rhode Island, said:
 "WtiIe voted for the appointment of the committee, I am afraid it may have been unwise.'
 Governor Harmon called a meeting of the new committee, today, and dis members, Governors Aldrich and Had ley. After the meeting, Harmon said:
 We don't know yet in just what shape these cases are and we can do nothing until we find out We decid- ed nothing and made definite plans for a future meeting.''
 The House of Governors today held an executive session at which plans for a permanent organization were discussed.
 Richmond, Va, was selected as the scene of the next conference, which will begin the first Tuesday in De- cember. 1912
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