The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-05-06
Senator Thomas
COmImends Cummins
For Railroad Bill

WASHlNGTON, April Ex-senator
Thomas of Colorado, one or the most
brilliant minds on the Democratic
side OF the chamber, has paid glow
: ing public tribute to the ability. cour-
age and intellectual integrity OF Sen
/ ator Albert B. Cummins OF Iowa, who
was the leading force in the prepare
tion and passage of the railroad bill.
Senator Thomas remarks were in
spired ythe searching analysis which
/ he has given to the transportation
measure and to the arguments sub
Initted by Mr.. Cummins in its support
The statement is OF special interest
TO the farmers. manufacturers, mer-
chants and consumers of the country.
who are absolutely dependent on ef-
flcient train service for the movement
OF crops. clothing, fuel, machinery.
and other necessaries OF life. Sena-
tor Thomas said:
Il do not exaggerate when ! say
| that the senior senator from Iowa (Mr.
Cummins) is one of the most eminent.
one of the most useful. one OF the most
patriotic members of this body. He
served his state for two or three terms
as governor with eminent ability and
/ signal success. He is a sincere and
conscientious statesman. devoting all
his time and energies to the duties
OF the great Office with which he has
been honored more than once by his
appreciatiye constituency. He has
brought to the discharge of his re-
1 sponsibilities a mind enriched by
( years OF study. reflection and expert
ence: he is qualified both by nature
and by education to intellieenily dis
charge.the duties OF his position here
and is thoroughly equipped with all
the qualifications OF an American leg
islator. He has been the friend. the
extreme and unshakable friend. OF or
ganized labor ever since l have had
! the honor of his acquaintance. He
has gone so far in supporting their
demands as TO subject himself TO the
quiet criticism OF some of his asso
ciates. none of whom. however. ever
had a doubt of his integrity. his honor.
or his purity Of purpose.
THE senator from Iowa virtually
had charge OF the antitrust bill in
1914. when Il was under consideration
here. II was nominaliy in charge OF
( the former senator from Nevada (sfr
] Newiands). who depended upon his
| colleague for the analysis OF its pro-
visions. the defense. both legal and
practical. of fits contested recitals. The
evolution of it's many and difficult
provisions was largely the work of
the senator from Iowa. ON this floor
he prepared and introduced an amend
4 grh ID
reching that labor was not a commod-
ity, That was the first appearance OF
/ that statement In any legislation OF
which I am cognizant. He was the
author as well of the exemption of la
Dor and agricultural association from
the operation of the antitrust law. ]
do not think Il Us too much to say that
hut for the senator's vigorous. earn
est and persistent advocacy OF those
amendments, they might not have
I passed. The senator from Iowa was
upon the committee OF conference
stood by bis amendments. and sue
ceeded in retaining them in their orig
inal form. But he has offended Mr..
I Gompers. so he must walk the politi-
cal plank In November.
1T would seem that ordinary graft
tude and common Justice would re-
/ auire some allowance. IL not a little
sympathy for that senator II. in after
life he may have fallen from grace and
has failed to measure up TO the Com
pcrs' standards OF labor legislation.
But no. his services are forgotten. the
man is repudiated. Like a squeezed
lemon. he IS 10 be thrown aside. He
must give way to more obsequious
Individual. because. forsooth. he
/ framed and championed therailroad
bill which has just gone upon the
statute books, Since he became chair
man OF the Committee on Interstate
Commerce he devoted practically all
his time up TO the good hour when the
bill finally became a law. TO the con.
sideration OF one OF tho greatest and
most serious problems of legislation
that ever confronted the Congress.
Under his guidance. n bill was finally
prepared, reported favorably, and was
placed upon our calendar.
The bill was not entirely satisiac-
tory to anyone, but It was the best
compromise possible. Twas not pre-
| pared in moment. in das. in a
week. or in n month. II was tho re-
suit OF long and patient series OF
hearings in which was represented
every phase OF every proposition sub
sequently adopted or rejected. The
wage earners and the capitalists alike
were welcomed to the committees
rooms: each and every one of them
was given all the time desired. After
securing this wealth of Information.
the bill. by the painful process of ad-