The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-08
PRICE r WO CENTS:
RAILROAD POOLING BILL.
AEssRS WISE AND COCHRAN sPLAt
IN ADVOCACY OF IT.
Mr. Er an Opposes II In "A strong kpsesh .
Which ne said E,r. Reed Aaysss "a
the sight of Mosopolv.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Dec. 7.-Ihl
greater portion OF to-day's session OF lae
House was devoted to continuation ~
the discussion on the bill TO 80 amena
the interstate commerce act as 10 per
NIT railroad companies to pool ldeir earn
ings.
a resolution offered by MIR. Wilson
tDem.. W. Na.) was passed. distributi4 4
the subjects of the Presidents message
among the several appropriate commit
tees.
On this resolution the House was briefly
addressed BY eX Speaker Grow (Rep. Pal.
VINO presented ms views in regard to
amendments TO the national bank act
necessary to secure the desired elasticity
of the currency issued by the banks
A bill 20 protect The puDlic forest res
ervations was discussed for an hour. But
no conclusion WAS reached by the House.
The order for session tonight Tor the
consideration of pension bills was va
Gated. resolution Was agreed 10 Civ
ing the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency permission TO sit during the ses-
sions OF the House.
MR.. BhYAN OPPOSES rHR POOLING BILL.
When the railroad pooling bill came
up. as the general order. Mr.. Patterson
Withdrew all amendments offerd by the
committee to the bill. and ,he debate was
continued by Mr. Bartlett Dem. n. ",
who supported the bill.
MIR. Bryan Dem, Neb) opposed the
bill I'm a strong speech. AIoong other
things. he referred 10 the speech made
yesterday by Mr.. Reed lRep. Me), ex-
pressing the opinion that never had the
House listened 10 so bolG an advocacy
OF the right OF monopoly. He agreed
hat NhnNf
should not come TO Congress TO protect
themselves against their own misman-
agement or "ruinous competition
Mr.. Bryan gave notice that at the
proper time he would move to amend the
bill so as to secure "a basis upon which
the committee shall act in determining
the reasonableness OF rates.
His proposition was that the committee
should allow profit upon the, cost of re-
production of the road and rolling stock
at present rates, regardless Of the origin
al cost OF the road. regardless OF addi-
tionaI expenditures. and regardless Of the
amount OF capital stock issued. either
real or fictitious. This was the rule, he
said, applied 10 ali other business ana
should be applied 10 railroad business.
The passage of the bill was further op-
posed by MIR. Northway QRep, Ohio)'
WISE AND COCHRAN Favor IT.
Mr.. Wise (Va). chairman OF the Com
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce replied 10 Mr.. Northway. Refer
ring 10 the latter gentleman's remark
that the passage OF the bill was urged by
the railroads alone. he said that II was
advocated by boards of trade and trans
portation all over the country, and by
every State Railroad Commissioner ex-
cept one.
The discussion for the afternoon was
concluded by Mr.. Cochran (N. ", who
advocated the bill as one which should
be supported by every man who desired
that the commercial conditions OF the
country should be such as 10 bring about
commercial prosperity NJ the railroad
companies, he said. were doaed what
they asked I'm the pending bill. they would
seek the relief, he believed In consolida-
tion, az the telegraph companies had been
consolidated In answer 10 a question by
Mr. Cox Dem, TcnnD Mr.. Cochran
said he believed the passage OF the
bill would result IN "A reduction OF rates.
for the reason that il was the policy OF
railroad companies 10 constantly reduce
charges. Railroads certainly did not seek
to lay waste the country from which
they derived their support; they sought
those conditions which would give pres
perity 10 the towns through which they
passed And he did not believe that the
intelligence of the House was so low as
prevent the passage OF beDehcent, equi-
table measure upon the cry that the
railroads deserve 1t.
At 3 O'Clock the House adjourned.
The Senate was not in session to-day.
having adjourned over until Monday.