Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-23
rBy Ora williams.l

Des MOines, May 23.-When, IN MS
inaugural address, on first Inaugural :
ton as governor, A. B. Cummins an
nounced a program which Included
driving the lobbyists out OF the state
house Of Iowa and curling the politi-
cal activities OF the railroad and other
large corporations, he merely recog-
nized the factional division which had
already been formed which was divid-
ing Iowa people, regardless of party
into two rival rather than hostile
camps. The fractional war which fol-
lowed was fought around the problem
of how best to control and reg uate the
corporations. The fight made then
against Cummins, is every one knows
had reference TO deep-seated diff
ference Of opinion as to the proper re-
! lations of the large aggregations OF
capital to the public and 10 the state.
Antagonism toward Cummins due to
this difference was six years ago
transferred to the larger field OF ma
tional life: but it continues exactly the
! same in character as fifteen years ago,
and evidence of 1t is continually crop
ping out.
When the United States senate de-
cided upon having investigation made
into the operations of the Sherman
anti-trus law, that something might
be done to make it really effective. the
duty Of leading in the investigat ton
was placed upon Senator Cummins.
with the result that a report was made
which is the most exhaustive analysis
Of the trust and combine problem and
! discussion of reform needed that is
eXtant. If Senator Cummins remains
in the senate, until such time as the
trusts will permit of the taking up of
the question of amending ;he law. his
ideas will be largely followed in max
ing the new antitrust law.
When the interstate commerce law
was amended some years ago there
was put into 1t just one little clause
more important than all else. It was
the clause which places upon the car
riers the burden Of showing why
rate should be increased before it is
collected and gave to the interstate
commerce commission the power to
suspend any proposed rate until it
could be effected. Without that clause
the work in causing full invest igation
Of classifications and rates done by
Chairman Thorne would not have been
possible 1t is today the most import
ant clause in the whole interstate COM
merce law for the protection Of the
public The railroad presidents know
who gave life to that clause.
It has now been a number of years
since the late Senator Dolliver pointed
his finger at the big Organiza ton
which he denounced on the floor Of
congress and said was spending mil
lions to befog the issues" but the same
organization is still spending millions
to befog the issues. Out Of the east,
bearing Washington date lines, there is
coming flood Of Misrepresentation
regarding Senator Cummins. just ex-
actly such stuff as the crga nization
which is supported by the big corpora
lions would be glad to pay for literally.
1t would seem. however. that the time
when this we'll financed publicity bu-
reau could in fact befog the issues has
we'll nigh passed. for not very great
publicity is being obtained for the paid
matter and practically nobody Is pay
ing any attention to 1t because Of its
gross and inexcusable exaggeration
and Justification Of the records.
But while purchasable writer's are
vainly trying to deceive. the bureau is