Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-27
INQUIRY
MAY Be S|D[1RACEED
PLAN OF PRESIDENT WILSON
LOSING FAVOR AMONG MEM
BEERS OF CONGRESS.
REPUBLICANS CHARGE IT
Is ONLY POLITICAL PLOT
Scheme to stave OF Promised Rail-
road Legislation and at Same Time
Go Before Voters With Plea That
investigation is First Step in Con-
tempIated Action to Strengthen Law.
Especial Correspondence. ]

Washington, JAM 27.-Much doubt
! has been cast on the passage at this
. session of a bill or resolution provid-
ing for the investigation of the rail +.
roads and the problems of interstate
and foreign commerce.
1t was recommended by President
Wilson that such an investigation be
made, at least an investigation of the
railroad problem, and that railroad
legislation be not attempted while the
inquiry was on.
Criticism followed from those who
want more rigid legislation against
the railroad. number of measures for
an inquiry such as the president want
ed were presented. The senate inter-
state commerce committee reported OUT
a modif1d form of the NewlandS reso-
luton. The notifications were insist
ed on by Senator Cummins and were
calculated to broaden the scope of the
measure and enable 1t to reach to the
whole problem Of foreign and inter
state transportation. AS modified, the
resolution contained nothing to give
assurance to the railroads there would
be any suspension of the effort to get
legislation passed by congress.
Just Politics, Says Norris.
Now the resolution has come up in
the senate 1t has been subjected to
sharp attack and will be subjected to
more Senator Norris, Of Nebraska.
insists the administration and the
democratic organization in congress
wants the investigation held so that it
can use the fact that such an inquiry
is on in the campaign next summer
and fall to defend itself for breaking
its pledge in the Baltimore platform to
enact legislation to control railroad
securities.
Senator Newlands has admitted he
wants no legislation TO control railroad
securities until after the proposed in
vestigation has been made. Against
this, 1t is commended that tfroro in
vestigation OF the railroad and trans
portation problem would take two
years. This admission has hurt the
cause OF the proposed inquiry with the
advocates Of railroad securities legis-
lation
Government ownership advocates
would like to have an investigation of
government ownership Of the rail-
roads. In the Newlands resolution as
it has been modified in committee, they
think there is authority for such an in
vestigatior. Senator Newlands has
said. however. ne does not think there
should be an inquiry into government
ownership. Senator Borah wants to
amend the resolution so as distinctly
to provide for investigation of govern
ment ownership Under the circum-
stances the foes OF government own
ership are suspicious Of the resolution
and the friends of government owner
ship. in view of Senator Newland's
statement. want a specific provision for
probing government ownership.
. Chances Diminish.
The conflict Of opinion and confusion
over the purposes of the investigation
have made 1t uncertain whether a
resolution can be adopted. The
chances for it have been diminished by
the discussion this week. 1t is pos
sible that something of filibuster viii
develop against it.
One thing that is clear. however, is
that if the resolution does not prevail
and there is failure. as there evidently
viii be, to enact railroad securities
legislation this session, the non enacts
curities Will become one of the issues
OF the cam paign It will be used
against the administration, especially
by progressive republicans and bull
moose, and such instances as the Rock
Island, New Haven, Frisco and Union
Pacific will be freely cited as reasons
why railroad securities should be con-
trOlled.