The Monticellonian., 1915-02-25

Nine Arkansas senators voted to let the Railroad Commission make an in. vestigation Of railroad passenger rates, to see if they are compensatory, and l If not, to grant relief but one. Senator Jones of Pulaski, changed before the vote was announced, leaving only eight to show on the record. Sena- tors Adamson, Burgess, Calvert, Car. ter Edmondson. Going, Wagner and Nasson were the other senators who were willing to let the railroads have a chance to present their case to the Commission. Senator Moore of Phil. l lips did not east vote on the bill.
 Senatqor Going argued for the pass. age of the bill. declaring that condi- ttons have changed materially since 1 the tWo-cent rate bill was passed. He called attention to the falling off in l stocks from above par to about 10 per cent, giving adverse legislation as the cause for q considerable portion of the shrinkage.
 Senator Edmondson gave figures concerning the passenger rates of rail- roads. showing that Arkansas, with a population of g to the square mile, is | operating with a two-cent rate, while New Jersey. with over 300, New York over 300. Pennsylvania 1S1, and Mary land with 134 per square mile, all have two and half cent rates.
 The author of the bill Senator Wag. her Of Crawford. then took up ten minutes speaking for what he termed fair show for the railroads" He asserted that the railroads have been unable to borrow money to make i'm proyements i'll Arkansas, because they cannot show proper earnings. and as consequence the tracks of the com. rany must deteriorate in value.
 If the Railroad Commission is not capable of dealing with this question, then we had better abolish it, for it is a needless expense" declared Senator Wagner. Give these railroads back their chance at prosperity and it will put 50,000 men to work in Arkansas that are now idle We have a prejui- dice against them among the people that must be broken down. Prejudice is what caused the war in Europe.
 We have great areas in Arkansas 1 that are undeYeloped because we lack railroads, and We will never have great zinc mines, or North Arkansas. our richest part of the state, will not be really prosperous until we make it pos sible for the railroads to operate in that section. l think we should vote for principle in this matter, not be weak-kneed because we fear someone will not vote for us because of our stand stand for this cause for the 1 best interest of the state"
 For the first time in my life" stated Senator Calvert, the Fort Smith leader of union labor. to whom Senator Wag- her yielded his closing ten minutes, "I find myself placed in position where i l can eonscientiously support the jn- i terest of the great corporations do this honestly because of the funda- mental principle involved. 1 believe i that we are now confronted with a crisis, and stand upon the dawn of n new era. Labor must say to capital that we will allow you to place before the people the propositions with which you are confronted in order that they may judge the conditions Because the railroads have been wrong or done wrong in the past will not justify us in aondemning them when they have de eided to be honest and law abiding. don't believe there is a senator here who could tell whether the railroads of Arkansas can operate upon a basis or 7 or 1-2 or 5 cents per mile and get an adequate return for their money.
 Are you afraid to place this matter before the people your constituents have chosen to give such matters con. sfderatfon? In the future I see the time coming when the public will deal fairly by these corporations and they will in turn deal honestly and fairly with them. We cannot blame those in control now for actions of the past, but we can hold them responsible for the future. If the Railroad Commission cannot attend to this matter. then name commission that can, and let s give them a trial
 The bill was then defeated on roll call by vote of 2S to '.
 The house has passed a bill provid- ing for the appointment of board for the examination and licensing of per. sons who practice optemetry in the state This is the bill which the State Association of 0ptometrists has been urging before several sessions of the legislature. It seeks to provide guar anty of quality in speetaeles to be pur- chased from reputable dealers. and to protect them from fake peddlers. Is establishes optometry as scientific profession.