Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-11
Vote AZ to Is

The vote. taken after opposition had
delayed action for nearly month.
stood AZ to -. All the senators of the
so-called Progressive wing of the Re-
publican party and one Democrat SEN
ator Hollis, voted in the negative.
Fourteen Republicans Joined the Dem
ocrats voting for confirmation
Excerpts from the executive debate
made public include speech by Senator
CumminS. attacking Commissioner
Daniels fitness for place on the COM
mission because of his rulings as public
utilities commissioner of New Jersey.
and declaring that in granting increases
to the railroads in the advance ratio
case the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, led by Mr.. Daniels. ignored tho
law and exercised an authority which
never has or never will be conferred on
any commission. A reply by Senator
Newlands, defending the commission
cr's part in both of these cases also was
given out. 1t was ono of the few in
stances in recent times when such
course has been adopted regarding de-
bates behind closed doors. and recalled
the sensational attack on rules of
secrecy made by Progressive Rcpubli-
N"i'o WIKI MI ptilitlS llTSl was HpD1l-
mated to the commission in 1913.
At that time Senator La Toilette and
several other senators, after vainlv
fighting confirmation for several
weeks announced that they would de-
fy the secrecy rule thereafter regard
ing debates on nominations.
In his argument against confirmation
today, Senator Cummins went at
length into the railroad control situa-
ton and declared he believed the fed
cral government had reached the
parting of the way"
II believe that our system of con-
troll and regulation of common car
rierS is on final trial and II tho COM
mission is to be made up of men of
Mr.. Daniels trend of mind the system
must he abandoned" said the Iowa
senator.
For. one. I have no hesitation in dc
clarng that if his views are to prevail
/ am for absolute and immediate govern
ment ownership and operation of our
transportation facilities. If the charges
for service rendered by our public car
riers are to increase year after year at
the rapid ratio which the principles which
he advocates will not only authorize but
require. the burden, now heavy will be-
come insupportable."
Quoting Mr.. Daniels dissenting opin-
ion in the western advance rate case.
which said. Expected earnings Consti-
tute the bid which the car
riers must make for new capital for
needed improvement. extension, new
rolling stock and similar purposes,
the senator declared that this meant
that rates must he such as will keep
tho stocks of railway corporations IA
vorites in the market: that il 10 say.
tho people must pay for all the finan-
cial mistakes, crimes and mismanag"-
ment of half a century of conscience
less promotion"
Mr.. Daniels dissenting opinion in the
first Of the freight rate advance cases to
be heard after he became a commissioner
was quoted BY Senator Newlands to show
that in advocating an increase the COM
missioner not had in mind 10 keep rail-
road stocks 'favoyites'' in the market.
THE senator said that the western ad-
vance decision had been a defeat" for
the carriers and had resulted in no in
crease on commodities whore any con
siderable amount of revenue was in
yoIyed