New Britain herald., 1916-02-09
THORNE ASSAILS
 BRANDEIS' CONDU|
In Fight Against Giving EaSI
 Railroads Increased Rates
FIRST WITNESS AT INQU.

Believes Nominee Is Guilty of Br K
 of Faith and Unprofcssional M
 duct in Connection With Ono K
 Greatest Cases of Generation.
 Washington, Feb. 9.-Investig @ Of President Wilson's nominatio @ Louis D. Brandeis of Boston toM supreme court bench was begurW day by a senate subcommittee wM first heard Clifford Thorne, chair H of the Iowa board of railroad
 missioners who was associated N MT. Brandeis in the fight against K ing the eastern railroads incre8 freight rates. MT. Thorne assN the conduct of MT. Brandeis in K case.
 T believe the nominee before committee was guilty of infidelitN breach of faith and of unprofess conduct in connection with one oH greatest cases of this generatH said he. Conceded Return Was Tnadequa
 Thorne charged that Brandei8 an attorney appearing for the E rers, conceded that the rate rea 10 the railroads was inadequate that Brandeis in his opening oral gumept to the interstate comnl commission conceded that the ret were inconsistent with prosperitl the railroads and welfare of public"
 At the beginning of the hearing sub-committee voted down prod to have the full committee head case. That was regarded by sonI a first victory for MT. Brandeis orI ground that the subcommittee favorable and the full committee tile. The full committee, howl will act on the subcommittee \ port, and senators who are mol one side or the other professel see. no particular significance in| action.
 Many Witnesses Present.
 A number of, witnesses, all prl tants against Mir Brandeis' nonI tion, were on hand ready to ted The committed later win consideJ merous petitions from individualsB organizations urging confirm which lre before it.
 Because of the widespread inta in the nomination, the committed cided to hold public sessions. Ssa as known it is the first instancfI which such a nomination has beeI Quired into except behind closed da
 Witnesses summoned to testify cluded: Clifford Thorne of the E railroad commission; s. w. Wing president of United Shoe Machia Co.,; P. J. Lennox, James J. Stod and c. w. Barron, Boston; ThomA Spelling, New York; Joseph M. A Portland, Oregon, and Lieut.. E John MI Eshlman, California.
 InOFfle IIFSt NftffSSS.
 MT. Thorne was the first wita He told of his connection with A pers and state railroad commissioA organizations opposing increases freight rates to the eastern roadsa fore the interstate commerce cOnA sicn in 1910 and 1913. He said ths1 was first asked to participate inI 1913 case by MT. Brandeis. ThornB clined, but later agreed when HA Martin of Kansas withdrew froma case to become vice governor ofH Philippines.
 The interstate commerce conH sion, he said. indicated the fundaTN tai question to be determined Are the railroads entitled to I revenue, and, if so where shall revenue be secured?"
 At Request of Clinton.
 Then MT. Thorne stated thai hisM pearance before the committee W not at his own instance but at tfle
 quest of Chairman Chiffon E
 At the outset two facts stand Q
 anpears to me-" MT Thorne deelf
 'tin the t1rSL lIdCG 'SiAes Y 0 M& inee before this committee was
 of infidelity. of breach of faith af
 unprofessional conduct in connetM N with one of the greatest cases of
 generation. 8
 t'In the second place, in open cM hearing while acting as special c
 sel MT. Brandeis committed himseM the opposition that ret return of K per cent. above all expenses. all ifN est on debts on capital stock of ' roads was inadequate, or to nsc own words negligible" This had N held adequate by the commissio K 1910."
 Big Rate Cases.
 Mir. Thorne said he was uncei N how fsr he should go into details began a review of proceedings in big rate cases. Mr. Brandeis, he sM characterized his testimony as derful" and suggested it be puhliu at once. "so the public could sceH other side to the question:" ThA said he suggested that Mir. BrandeiM view of his intimate relations N Senator LaFollette, might get the K +ir,onx nrinted as q public documlN