The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-01-09
SENATOR ELk|NS IN
STRONG DEFENSE OF
VOTE ON RAIL BILL

WASHINGTON. D. c.. Jan. S.--Sena-
tor DAVIS Elkins. of West Virginia To-
day issued to tn" representatives OF inc
press At the capitol the following state
ment:
"I am written to every day asking II
my vote for the So-callcd Cummlns rail-
road bill and my vot" against In" amend
mon, offered by Senator Stanley 10
strike out the So-call"u anl-Strike pro-
vision IN the hill. property represent my
atiirudc,' ~ all such inquiries my re-
ply ~ that my votes cast on the pas
sag ur Tho hill an daGainst the Stanley
amcndn"nt represent in most unc-
uuivncahl" manner my most solemn con-
virtInns upon tn" issues involved.
Il am n member Of the committee that
framed tho bill and ! am familiar with
every argument advanced for and against
it, section nv section. II IL my opinion
that IT X as near satisfactory to all m
lcrcSt~ rOnCrru"d--thc public tine rail-
way owners and the cmployees--as II IS
humanity pUsS biz. at this time /" achieve.
Its actual operation may disclose "hcre'
in thr light Of practical experience II
lnay hc he improved by change ana
amendment but the general principles
involved are. in my judgment. sound
and tho mcn sure As a whole rests upon
n solid foundation &C equal JuSf"" I"
all. aud special advantages TO no class
nor group concerned. dirccU! or other
wise.
I'm respect To tho so-Callcd antl-Strike
clause. i, is the most advanced step tax
IN 10y any branch Of tn" government /"
, establish Il just tribunal for the ORDERLY
settlement If disputes b"tW"cn en- jiN-
crs and employers. and il is my iriln
belief that Which, in due time, the rank
and llr Of railroad employees read ana
understand that provislun. they VIII ap-
prove. it, II is evident 4" mo from the
letters havr rrr"iv"d that the writer's,
MANY Of them. have not studied. II they
hay,, - "r read at all. the provision IN
question. hut have taken the word OF
somebody "lS" as til" basis Tor their
attl'udr nf opposition. And II IS my
opinion. that they are. To larger OK
tent. permitting themselves to b" miSl"u
hl mrn who are Hrtuai"d by naIfo"
personal. and not broad patriotic mo-
iIVcS
IF. in the framing "f This great law
any On" If the three interests concerned
--rh. ruhlic. tn" employers ana the en-
ri,I,rs-waS held L. b" Sup' riUr 10 INC
other two, ihrn II was IN" public thal
,vaS - favored. The publ" interest -
paramount. From the 1lrSl 10 lIlc lhS'
Of the bill there is scarcely section
but. specifically mentions tn" public "ci'
fare. II is not implied. hui il is EN-
rhatically stated. That is as II should
hr. In this. as in any other general
laws that congress. may hcnceforth pass
The pubIic's welfar" should be the firs'
consideration. Nothing should be LETT &c
chance that il might he subordinated &c
4 special and favored class.
This bill marks the most progressive
and enlightened step for the strict re-
,ulation by the government OF Il PUBIC
utility Of the highest necessity 10 the
peace, prosperity and comfort OF the
pconlc an dtheir government that has
ever been taken since the establishment
Of the republic II IS the greatest ac'
that has ever been passed TO SUBSTITUTE
law and order and equal justice In
great industry. over which the govern
,ncut of the people and by the people
has full control in every phase and de-
tail empowered to exercise 1t in the In
tercst Of the public welfare. Asking
snccial favors and exemptions, ne>tner
capitaI nor labor is quite satisfied with
tho bill, but the public, as whole
should be and apparently is. for the
highest consideration woven INTO ~.
law is from first to last consideration
for the public welfare.