The Detroit times., 1911-04-29
BY HIRAM w. JOHNSON.

BY HIRAM w. JOHNSON.
SACRAMENTO, Cal, April 20
With the new constitution proven
powerless as an instrument with
which to curb the Southern Pacific
political organization, at last In 1908
direct primary law was enacted by
the legislature OF California, due to
an overwhelming public sentiment
and although that law was not In all
its details such as was desired, by its
proponents, nevertheless, It did fur
nish means by which the people
could express themselves In nomtna-
tions.
The first direct primary was to
be held in 1910, and then II was that
the men who had been striving. and
striving for so many years, without
success, and with hope almost de-
stroyed, saw the dawn OF new era.
1t was then that the contest was un-
dertaken in the state Of California
the final struggle to overthrow that
which had corrupted and disgraced for
so many years 80 great state. And
the direct primary justified itself. 1t
gave to California a new government.
A New Era.
Immediately upon the new govern
ment assuming charge, II commenced
the work of destroying that which 80
years Of corrupt power had built. With
the new government came new rail-
road commission; one that believed in
the rule of the people, rather than ~
the absolute control OF the CORPORA,
tions.
This railroad commission stimuli
taneously entering upon its duties with
the administration, desired to COM
mence fits assigned task. By certain
decisions Of the supreme court the
commission ,had been deprived OF
much OF the power that originally was
believed to have been conferred upon
it. II had been circumscribed in Its
activities and its usefulness greatly
impaired Legislative enactment in
many respects could remedy these
defects and could supply the power
that was required. Accordingly, the
first work undertaken was the prep
aration OF real railroad bill, to
give the railroad commission the pow
er which had been denied to II. This
bill was prepared with great care and
was presented to the legislature for
passage.
The New Commission.
: II not only sought to meet the OBJ
jections that had been raised by de-
cisions Of the courts, and to round
out in detail the absolute jurisdiction
of the commission over the transpor-
tation companies, but II bestowed
upon the commission the power to
make a physical valuation OF all the
properties of the railroad companies,
and to fix the fares and freights upon
the valuations thus determined. II
gave sufficient funds, as well, to the
commission, to enable 1t adequately
to perform its work, and within the
next few days the activities Of the
government will really be transferred
to this commission.
The task will be an arduous one but
that it will be well performed and re-
suit In q tremendous benefit to the
state of California, no unselfish citi-
zen will deny. The legislature has
been the best that was ever selected
In the state, but, OF course, among Its
members have been some reaction
aries, some members Of the old ma
chine. and some who owed their nom-
nations and election directly to the
railroad company.
An Astounding Spectacle.
At the very commencement OF the
session It was Enthusiastically pointed
out to the legislature, Just ended, that
every man would be judged before the
people OF the state by his action upon
the railroad question, and that his
fidelity to the people could be meas
ured In no better fashion than by his
attitude in respect to the railroad bill.
The astounding and remarkable
spectacle was presented Of the
Legislature Of the state Of Cali
fornia passing unanimously the
railroad bill; and when II 10 re-.
called that the legislature Of this
state for more than 80 years has
bIIndly obeyed every behest and
command Of the Southern Pacific
Co., the extent and import Of this
accomplishment may be under.
stood.
or course, the unanimity Of the
vote In the legislature upon the bill
did not represent the sentiment of
the legislature A large majority of
that body was progressive and In
favor of the bill. A considerable min
ority, however, would have respond
ed to the old machine.
Thus was exemplified the power of
a decent public opinion that COMPEL
ed recognition ever from those who
scoffed and sneered at the people;
and thus after more than 30 years,
California at last saw deliverance.
PITTSBURG, Pa.-When county de-
tectives and constables removed Mrs.
Charles Fedoris from a bed I'm which
she lay III OF typhoid fever at the
home Of her father, George Burick, 35
valuable rings were found hidden in
the mattress. The rings were stolen
from a pewelry store last December
The entire Burick family were arrest