Evening star., 1914-05-06
LAF0[[ETTES SPEECH
BRINGS RESENTMENT
|. C. c. Members Incensed at
Suggestion President Tried to
Influence Rate Decision.
RETALIATION IN SHAPE
OF ATTACK ON SENATOR
One Commissioner, at Least, It Is
Said. Contemplates Issuing
Statement.

1t became known today that the men,
bers of the interstate commerce COM
mission, probably a majority of them,
are incensed with the speech of Senator
La Toilette intimating that President
Wilson has indirectly sought to influence
the commission In favor of an increase
in the freight rates for eastern railroads
and that one member of the commission
at least is contemplating coming out
with a statement that will attack Sen
ator La Toilette and the methods he has
employed to influence the commission
against an increase of rates.
1t developed that there s more feel
ing in the commission on the subject
than has been known at any time, and
hints are freely used in high official
circles and outside that Senator La
Toilette acting on information he had.
timed his speech at a critical moment
in the affairs of the commission in the
hope that he would influence it against
the proposed increase of rates, and 1t
Is this alleged motive of the WiScon-
sin senator that has stirred members
of the commission who are said to be
inclined toward lending helping hand
10 the railroads, as well as others
whose minds are not made up.
Senator La Toilette was responsible for
the nomination to membership on the
commission of one man - Commissioner
Meyer, who had been railroad commits
sioner of Wisconsin-and had much to
do with the nomination of Commissioner
Clements for another term on that body,
after President Wilson had hesitated
whether he would again name the
Georgian. When the vacancies oc-
Cured on the commission, some months
ago. President Wilson gave serious de-
liberation to the picking of men for the
vacancy His one central thought was to
obtain the services of eminent men who
were not biased for or against the rail-
roads and whose minds We're not set one
way or another
In the case of Commissioner Clements
1t was freely represented to the White
House that the Georgian was radical
and that he had conceived views that
Were absolutely set and which could be
moved only with a tremendous accumu-
lation Of facts.
Urged to Make Appointment.
The President hesitated long and seri-
ously about giving another term to
commissioner with this alleged history
back Of him, but it was represented to
the President by Senator Hoke Smith,
- oe 'i ,ei' s' HS
long experience of the Georgian made him
invaluable on the commission, and that
he was not determined along certain
INES as naa peeh represented 10 MN II
was the lhnuehce OF senator La foilette
that llad as nluch 10 10 Win 'he nlial
iaNorapie action IN the case oI MT Iien-
entS as anything else. The nomination
OF commissioner meyer hau previously
been made almost wholly upon the rec
commentator OF lhe Wisconsin senator.
VINO kne" accurately tne viewpoint OF
MT meyer
Win Two intimate Irlenos on the
COMMISSION II was TO-DAY hln.ed IN CIT
tor La Toilette had committed serious
posaI to seek to influence the commits
sion at this time under the Suise of
a.tack!hg me fresiaeht, VINO mas AT no
~ ,n.mhers ~ m. conn,issior ss n
what they should or should not do in
connection with the proposed increase
VI rates. vi the contrary, II - sdid
,a,,,har or ~ onn,riss;,, th ,os.
three months and thai was Commits
missioner Clark. regarding matters
other than the railroad increase.
No. I,en. On. .aaa -, . m ~. Go,ssoil ,t;,stn
that il was wrong for the commission 70
receive communications from the ueonle
directly or transmitted through the
White House or elsewhere and to hold
that as an impartial man seeking light
on matter of huge inheritance to the
country should welcome adyices from
any direction if they offered facts and
did not directly seek to influence the
minds of the commission He is, it is
declared by close friends perfectly will
ing to let the country through unpre-
judiced sources communicate its views to
the commission This has never before
been denied or resented by that body
which would. of course. Immediately re-
sent attempts of any individual with
improper motives to impress himself
upon the decisions of the commission.
How the Commission Stands.
lntlmauons To-Day are that Commis-
sioners Cl l-.nents and Never represent
tbe radical element unon tbe commission
~. -, -. :, u,rr>..,,,. .-.,,,,
a'u -. - - -
save themselves from possible disaster.
opposed 10 these Two are saiu 70 ne
commissioners clark McChord. Danleis,
Hall anG Harlan, with Mr. Harlan not
as favorable toward the roads as the
| other three, but still not in sympathy
| with Commissioners Clements and Meyer.
and with a widespread opinion in the
| commission that If increase is given
| toward preventing for a time at least
4 money hv demands for increase of wages