South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-11
WANTS i. 5. TO
HOLD RAILROADS
Sen. LaFOIIette in All Day Ad-
dress DenounCeS Sen.
CumminS' Rail Bill.

By Associated Press:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1O.-Attack-
ing the Cummins' railroad bill as a
measure especially designed 10 help
the roads with their return 10 pri-
vate operation, Sen. Lafollette, re-
publican, of Wisconsin, declared IN
the senate Wednesday that its en-
actment would constitute the great
est stain on legislation in the history
Of the American nation"
There is nowhere in this bill one
clause in the interest of the people"
said Sen. Lafollette.
EaVors Fair Test
COntending that government own
ership was the ultimate solution of
the railroad problem, the Wisconsin
senator declared the plan had not
been given a fair test because there
had been an organized press and
railroad attempt TO discredit it. In
framing the bill 10 meet conditions
arising with the end of war time fed
eral control, Sen. Iafollette said
that the senate interstate cOmmECe
committee, had not given a full hear
ing TO the army Of railway employees
vitality concerned in the future po-
Icy OF dealing with the great trans
portatiOn systems.
You must consider in enacting
railway legislation" he added, that
you cannot do any wrong to the rail-
roads. and I want to put this across.
You cannot hurt the roads or hold
ers Of railway securities because the
courts will not permit il. The
courts Will make sure that there is
no confscation of property and will
assure holders of securities a fair
return on the actual value Of the
property"
When the senate recessed We'd
nesday night, Sen. Lafollette had not
concluded his address after speak
ing two days and he viii resume
today.
Holds Floor.
Sen LafOllette held the floor con-
tinuously through the session and
after he had been talking two hours
Sen. King, democrat, Of Utah. went
10 his rescue with "A demand for a
quorum which gave him a twenty
minute breathing spell. For some
time the senate sat idle and twirled
its thumbs while efforts were being
made 20 round up a quorum, finally
obtained by breaking up a commit
tee meeting.
When the government took over
the railroads, Sen. Lafollette declar-
ed. the whole system was honey
combed with inside graft" Examin-
alton of every system from the
Pennsylvania down" he said would
show that officials were financially
interested in supply and construction
companies with which the company
employing them dealt. And as a
result OF this we find he added.
chat stock holders and the public
were robbed because Of the payment
Of outrageous prices for supplies" "
Rail Heads Statement.
While Sen. Lafollette was asSail-
ing the Cummins' bill. Robert s.
Lovett. president Of the Union PaCi-
tic system, in a statement sent 70
members Of congress, declared the
measure had the merit at least of
recognizing the facts OF the railroad
situation and the courage of Crap
pling with them in an honest at
tempt to solve the problem"
Mr.. Lovett objected 10 tho section
of the Cummins' bill declaring 5 Z
percent ON the value OF railroad pro-
pcrty as determined by the interstate
commerce commission as a reason
able return and conhsCs ng all in
excess OF six percent u on such
value.
Denies Statement
"I deny that our people are N
favor OF confscating the net earn
ings Of a railroad company saved by
10 out OF n reasonable rates establish
ed or approved by the government
itself" Mr.. Lovett said. Further in
creaSes IN freight rates undoubted-
lv are necessary. "as the govern
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