Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-03

interstate commerce COmmtDDI0u. IL
vastly more important than any petty
dispute over who shall occupy certain
offices.
This abolition Of the department of
commerce counsel and change in the
personnel of the state railroad COM
mission happens to occur just after a
new policy has been inaugurated-tha
policy Of fighting cases on behalf OF
the consumers, producers and shippers,
generally, in the state Of Iowa, before
the interstate commerce commission.
During the last two years, memorable
battles have been fought out AMI
won.
Judge Henderson 10 Competent.
mot more than half the people in
Iowa will have any concern whatever
with utilities commission. Every
man who wears clothes, goes on pas
senger train, buys anything, or sells
anything. is interested in the railroad
tax. The development of real. strong
competent commerce counsel depart
ment must not be hindered. Judge
Henderson has done some magnificent
work. He is$9more competent today
than he was two years ago. and two
years from now, he will be more com
petent than he is today. His oppor-
tunities for useful service are vast
in grabbing for the now, we should
not lose that which we have. The real
question Of importance is: Does Iowa
want to destroy an institution that she
has just created, that is unique among
all commissions in the country, and
that is just getting on its feet: thas
has already saved Iowa many thous-
ands Of dollars? Does Iowa want 10
abandon policy which she finally
adopted after bitter fight which was
lost one year, begun at the next ses-
sion, and carried on to successful
conclusion. after another bitter fight
two years ago?
As We'll Abolish All.
mo greater rebuke could possibly be
given by the state to this work than, to
have the legislature clean out the rail-
road commission and destroy the ccm-
merce council, as Mr.. Crisis bill pro-
poses to do. The commerce counsel law
should remain as it now stands and the
utilities commission should be COM
posed definitely Of three members or
five members. We don't need to main
tain two fat but useless jobs for two
years for Colonel Palmer and myself
II we are not fit members to be on the
commission, come out openly and abol-
ist our whole department and then
commence over again with brand ne"
commission. The idea OF having five
members for two years and three mem
bers thereafter is monstrosity. II is
either a useless pieces Of extravaganza
or else five members are necessary.
"Of course. these changes are only
accidents. Things like this are never
pre.arranGed or planned out by any
body. would not accuse any Of these
distinguished senator's or Ed Hunter or
anybody else OF intending TO bring
about this result, or even foreseeing
that it might happen. 1t is all just an
accident-perhaps.
my continuance in Office is a minor
matter, not worthy OF serious discus
sion. Even tho 1t Is so cleverly arranged
in the BILL that there is no human
probability Of my continuing after my
ono term has expired. that is Of little
or no public interest. But this little
arrangement to abolish the commerce
counsel better be taken out Of the bill;
and IL It Is not. l sincerely hope my
friends and the friends CT the COM
merce counsel law turnout the state
and in the legislature will unite in kill
ing the BILL"