Mr. Burke. The newspapers report this morning that a member oi
the Minnesota legislature declined to vote for the reelection of Senatoi
Clapp to the Senate because he had not declared himself in favor of the
Quarles-Cooper bill, or that he had not declared himself soon enough.
I would like to ask you if you are in favor of the Quarles-Cooper bill.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF INTERSTATE-COMMERCE LAW. 161

Mr. Staples. I am very sorry to be put in that attitude. However,
my situation upon this necessary legislation must have been made
clear to this committee. The Quarles-Cooper bill, in my opinion, will
accomplish very- little of what the public are clamoring for to-da}^;
that is, in the way of strengthening the hands and powers of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.
Mr. Richardson. Mr. Chairman, one word. From indications, it
seems to me that the hearings are going to close pretty soon, and I
think there ought to be a fair division of time made. Now, we had
one side pretty thoroughly represented here, and I do not think that
the large number of railroad gentlemen who are interested in this
matter have hM an equally fair chance here. We are going to close
pretty soon, and should we not have a fair understanding?

The Chairman. The situation is somewhat peculiar, because Mr.
Bacon announced early that the proponents of the Cooper bill did not
want any time.
Mr. Richardson. 1 do not mean to reflect on the other side at all.
1 simply made the suggestion that we could reach some fair division of
the time. I believe these hearings are going to close pretty soon.
The Chairman. We will have to limit you gentlemen this morning
strictly to the time you said you wanted.
