Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1905 — THE SCREWS TIGHTEN [ARTICLE]

THE SCREWS TIGHTEN

No Free Passes For Antirailroad Congressmen. BBIBEBY AND INTIMIDATION, Railroads Claim Petty Blackmail Han Been Levied by National and State Levlalatora—President Roomveit’a Procrastination la Calling Special Seaalon Helpa Railroads. The railroads have already commenced their campaign of intimidation and bribery of the house of representatives to defeat legislation or government control of unreasonable rates. At this time of summer holiday travel the railroads claim they are deluged with requests from congressmen for passes for their families and friends for their vacation trips. At least one of the presidents of the big eastern systems, says the Washington Times, “has given instructions that no free transportation should be issued to those national legislators who were in favor of the E«ChTownsend bill in congress.” The Times further says: In response to every application "for transportation by those who showed hostility to wliat the railroads wanted there is sent a stereotyped letter calling attention to the fact that for years the railroads have submitted to a system of petty blackmail levied by national and state legislators aad that the matter was allowed to go on the theory that when the roads were in danger of being hedged about by congressional enactments the officials of the lines would need only to hoist the distress signal and “free pass” friends would flock to the rescue. Now, the railroad managers know that nearly every Republican congressman voted for the bill to give the interstate commerce commission power to fix reasonable rates because he knew that It would not be considered, much less passed, by the Republican majority In the senate. It was necessary In consequence of the universal demand for such legislation for the Republicans to be on record on the side of the people and at the same time do no real damage to their friends the railroads. When the caucuses and conventions occur which nominate congressmen, that vote can be pointed to as showing that the candidate for congress had obeyed the voice of the people. This refusal of passes by the railroads Is intended to bring the lawmakers face to face with what may be expected In the future. Those congressmen who promise to vote against such legislation In the next congress will of course receive all the passes for themselves and friends they ask for, and, Judging the future by the past, there will be mighty few Republican congressmen who will not promise to vote to defeat all antirailroad legislation. To make a showing perhaps some more rebate legislation will be enacted, as most of the railroads favor such a law, or, like the Santa Fe railroad, Ignore It and continue to discriminate In favor of their friends. Since President Roqpevelt made that startling decision that only the railroad corporation could be proceeded against for offenses against the rebate law and that railroad officials could offend with Impunity no antirebate legislation Is feared by the railroads, for what Is a fine of SSOO or SI,OOO to a corporation that handles

millions. President Roosevelt In procrastinating, in calling a special session of congress to consider the necessary legislation to control unreasonable railroad rates, has helped the railroads, Intentionally or unintentionally, more than anything else that has been done. If no extra session Is called the vote on the railroad bills can be postponed until after most of the Republican members of congress have been renominated, and then, being the candidates of the party, the whole weight of the administration must be exerted to elect them, however they vote on the ralroad issue. In the strong Republican states or districts the only chance the people have to defeat a congressman or senator Is at the caucuses for delegates to congressional and legislative conventions, a nomination in such districts being equivalent to an election. In the close states and districts there will be the option for the voters to support-“the Democratic candidates if the Republican candidate is tarred with the railroad brush, so thflt the railroad issue may determine the political complexion of the next congress If the present congress does not pass the legislation that the people are demanding so loudly. But to pay their fare as the common herd does is a proposition that the Republican leaders will hardly consider, and the railroad managers know it.