Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-04
Support of Mr.. Daniels for
Place on !. c. c. in Line
With His Feelings.
is ALSO IN SYMF Thy
WITH RATE INCREASE
Makes No Denial, It Is Said, That
He Thinks Time Has Arrived
for Let-Up on Railroads.

The significance of President Wilson's
virile support of Winthrop NJ Daniels
aor Interstate commerce commissioner,
Just at the moment when it appeared
certain lIr. Daniels would be defeated
nv radical influences in the Senate, has
not escaped sharp notice in political
and business circles, and it is i'll line
with information of the last few months
that Mr.. Wilson is not in sympathy
with constant attacks on railroa ds; !;
moreover. that he will be greatly dis
appointed if the interstate commerce
commission does not grant a reasonable
and favorable increase of freight rates
To eastern roads
So soon a. President Wilson found that
there vas doubt that Mr.. Daniels would
be confirmed he Immediately sent for sew
eral friends in the Senate, and said that
the selection of Mr. Daniels had been
made by him after q careful survey of the
material offered him: that he knew Mr..
Daniels and his record fully: that he be
licved Mr.. Daniels TO be fair and square
uau. no would do the fair thing by the
.silroads and the country's interests. and
that he wanted it understood that defeat
of Mr.. Daniels would be defeat for him.
He had already rejected the suggestions
q several democratic senators that he
withdraw the name of Mr.. Daniels. who
had been q member of the public utilities
commission in New Jersey for a mum Der
of years, and the real brains OF the com
mission.
The Presidents frank avowal of his
willingness to stand for Daniels and what
he represents was the factor that OBJ
tained confirmation by the Senate in the
face of the opposition of the so-called
radical element. led by Senators Cum
minis. La Toilette. Bristow. Borah and
others prominently mentioned for preSi-
dental nominations two years hence.
Reasons for Opposition.
The opposition to Daniels was based
entirely upon his alleged hesitancy about
harass!ns and snasging the railroads in
New Jersey at every turn. it is declared
and especially upon the basis upon which
he assessed the valuation of public serv-
ice corporations in New jersey. that basis
being too liberal to the corporations, it is
claimed.
The President has been perfectly IA
Iniliar. in every detail. with the acts of
Mr.. Daniels. and in the position taken By
him practically serves notice on the
country. it is asserted by the radicals.
that he thinks the time has arrived for a
let-up on the railroads for q time at
least
such a sharp distinction against the ele-
fncnt in the Senate that is still fighting
the railroads at every turn as to amount
practically to an issue on this question.
II has been understood for months that
the President has leen receiving hun
dreds of letters from confidential friends
IL every direction telling him that un-
less the railroads are treated more con-
servatively by the interstate commerce
commission in the matter of rates and
otherwise there will come d crash that
Will Startie the world.
The differences have all been plain that
business conditions are not unsettled and
In doubt half as much over the new tariff
laws as they have been about the treat
Wcnt they are to receive al the hands
OF the new administration. and that busi-
ness everywhere is marking time pending
the decision of the Interstate commerce
commission on the proposed increase of
freight rates This case is everywhere
regarded. according To official and private
information. as the test case that will
buoy up or further depress confidence in
the business world and that an un-
favorable decision may mean disaster of
the worst sort.