The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-19

proposition. BY way Of reply, Sena-
tor Underwood advocated federal
regulation before audiences OF Ala
bama business men who enthusiastic
ally applauded the sentiment. He was
then questioned as to the farmers at
titude regarding 1t, so he made simI-
lar experiment with the same result,
So this would indicate that he has the
backing OF the entire state in his
efforts in this line, and II such is the
case, why should he not have the back
ing of the entire South II 1t were
placed before the people In the proper
manner?
Still more remarkable is something
that is going on in the House of Rep
resentatives. A committee has lately
reported out a bill, which in fact
passed the last House but was lost in
the distractions Of war-a bill that
would forbid any railway engaged in
interstate commerce to issue stocks or
bonds without sanction OF the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. Think Of
what that means? II the federal au-
thorities gave its permission and some
state forbade an issue OF securities,
the action OF the state would be void,
because where Congress acts, 1t is SUI
preme. II Congress can unity the
regulation fstock and bond issues, It
can find more power where that came
from and regulate every phase OF the
business of any railroad which per-
forms interstate commerce. This
would mean that such controversies as
have occurred between states-for
example, Texas and Louisiana-would
never happen again. II was Louisiana
that complained against Texas and
Texas that seemed to cling TO state
action. But who originated the House
bill for federal regulation of securi-
ties? A Texas congressman, Repre-
sentative Rayburn.
A similar tendency OF sentiment
toward support of the movement for
federal Jurisdiction is reflected in the
trade press and daily papers OF several
southern states. There seem to be
two reasons for this sentiment.
First-the South needs more rail-
roads and better railroads, and 1t has
come to be questioned by some of
those who have advocated state &C
tion whether or not more and better
roads can be obtained in this way The
president Of the Texas Farmers Union,
Henry q. Hope, called attention to the
fact that, while Texas has only six
per cent OF the total railroad mileage
Of the country, It has twenty-five per
cent Of the mileage which is in the
~ 10 -
business question as well as an agri-
cultural question. The great future,
which all will foresee and rejoice to
foresee for the South. is future
based largely upon proper transporta-
ton development. There are no sub
stitutes. There is nothing which can
be offered which is just as good.
Proper railroad development Is almost
entirely dependent upon wise govern
mental action; and, while we all ad-
nit that the railroads must be con-
trolled, at the same time we should
agree that they must be encouraged
and fostered also. 1t is beginning to
be realized that the most important
state right of all is that the people
OF each state have a right to protec-
ton against the authorities Of other
states; and, 1t is a perfectly logical
proposition that no state should have
the right to legislate favoring it.
self, to the detriment OF its neighbor:
and to maintain this our forefathers
ordained that Florida's population OF
three-auarters OF million has as
equal voice in the Senate with Penn
sylvania's seven and three-quarters
millions, and Alabama's 10000 voters
have two senators, the same as New