No one will even accuse Rep. Barney Frank of being a shrinking violet. Spend a few minutes in his company and you will quickly observe the keen intellect and biting wit for which he has become well known. Whether on the floor of the House, in a congressional hearing room, or at a local town hall, Congressman Frank can easily dispose of any reporter or politician who comes to the debate less than fully prepared. Even his critics will concede that point. Frank currently finds himself in a clash with CSX, the mighty transportation company that owns, among other things, the railroad lines that include much of the proposed commuter rail extension to Fall River and New Bedford. The quick version of this tussle between the company and the congressman goes like this: CSX has been holding out on the sale of land and rails to Massachusetts – rails the company will continue to use – unless it is held legally blameless for future accidents involving personal injury or loss of life, even if the company is at
fault.

At the same time, CSX is seeking congressional assistance in fighting off a group of British investors who are attempting to unseat some of the company's board members. The problem for the company bosses is that they must deal with Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, to obtain the relief they seek.

To no one's surprise, Frank is not inclined to jump to the company's defense and take up their cause. With characteristic bluntness, he put it this way: "Why do I want to protect their right to screw my state?" Elaborating, he further said, "I am unwilling to assist them when they have been so unreasonable about a crucial matter affecting my constituents and the citizens of Massachusetts." To read full article, go to

Fall River Herald News.