The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-07
Throughout the Session Railroad Lob-
byists Were Allowed the Privilege
of the Floor Undisturbed.
WITH CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
SENATOR THOMPSON REFUSES To
RECEDE FROM HIS POSITION.
He Says the People of indianapolis
Are with Him-Track Bill Now
I'm a Deadlock.

The Senate and House played the most
remarkable game of cross purposes over
the Indianapolis track elevation matter
ever seen in a State Legislature yesterday.
In the morning il looked as If the city
would secure law giving 1t the right to
compel the railroads TO elevate or depress
their tracks; by night the railroad attor-
neys, past masters in the game, had sue
ceeded In overturning everything that had
been done by the Senate Thursday after
noon and had secured a complete deadlock.
Unless some Alexander appears TO cut the
Gordian knot the probabilities are that
there will be no track elevation legislation
of any character this session OF the General
Assembly.
After both houses had been in a turmoil
all day, and had, like stubborn children.
shouted Il will and III WON'T by mes
senger across the hall of the Capitol; after
railroad attorneys, one or two of them the
most prominent in Indiana. had gone at will
upon the floor, talking without hindrance TO
the members; after one department OF
the city administration had advocated con-
currence by the House in the Senate
amendments, and another department had
fought bitterly against concurrence: after
two sets of conference committees had
been selected: after the unanimity of the
Marion county delegation had been de-
stroyed by the attitude of Representative
Morgan that the railroads should not be
compelled TO elevate their tracks, the whole
question stood al adjournment last -nixLml
virtually as it stood weeks ago
ANOTHER CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Just before the House and Senate quit
business last evening President Gilbert, OF
the Senate, appointed Senators Will r.
Wood, of Lafayette. and Eben III. Wolcott.
of Wolcott, TO represent the upper house
in a final attempt to reach an agreement
on the troublesome tangle. Speaker Mar
shall selected for the same purpose Repre-.
sentatives E. Z. Mummert, of Goshen. and
L. Z. Slack. of Franklin. These four men
met in a corner of the Hall of Representa-
tives at 6:15 O'Clock last night under the
watchful eye of John b. Cockrum, general
the conference committee which had pre-
ceded them-a committee composed or
Thompson and Matson for the Senate and
Harrington and Morgan for the House
they threshed over thoroughly the conten-
ton of the railroads that the alleged agree
ment between them and the city officials TO
the effect that elevation could be ordered
only by mutual agreement and the posi-
tion OF the Marion county legislators who,
with the exception OF Morgan, stood out
squarey for the issue that the city should
have broad powers In requiring railroads
to make improvements necessary for the
public convenience and the preservation OF
human life When the conference ended no
definite understanding had been reached
The Senate conferees and Representative
Mummert were ready TO recede from the
Senate amendments. giving the city the
right to order elevation and carrying the
matter os costs into the courts. Represents
provided the Marion county senators were
also willing to forego the Senate amend
ments
If Slack maintains his position, is believed
to be certain. Senator Thompson is in no
mood to back down from the Senate amends
ments, particularly since Representative
Morgan so bitterly attacked his position
and so strenuously protected the interests
of the railroads all through the wrangle
yesterday. Senator Thompson said last
night:
'You can quote me as saying that 1 stand
pat on the proposition that the city should
have the right to order track elevation.
and in the whole matter of these senate
amendments. i do not believe IL is the bus
iness of a conference committee, however.
TO take any such stand as the one TO which
Mr.. Slack attempts to tie the present COM
mttee. / shall maintain my position. be-
cause / know I'm right and because the
real peopie of the city of Indianapolis stand
at my back"
A DISAGREEMENT.
II Slack stands by his position the con-
ference committee must report a disagree
ment this morning, since there Is no pre-
cedent under the rules OF any parliament
ary body on which divided report may be
based. That question was settled yesterday
afternoon when three men-Thompson,
Matson and Tarkington-wished TO make a
majority report for the Senate amend
ments. while Morgan stood out alone for
the railroads. IL was found that no divided
report could be made, and that IL had TO be
utter disagreement IL unanimity could not
be reached.
snarl a General Assembly has got into for
many sessions there are but two probable
answers III Senator Thompson stands by
his guns the whole thing may result In no
legislation, since IL was shown yesterday
that the railroads are powerful enough 10
sway the House, and many people who be-
lieve that no legislation would be better
than the Muir oil without the Senate
amendments hope this will come to pass.
The other course Is that the conference
committee may agree TO recede entirely
from the Senate amendments, and that the
bin may. be got through both House and
the city officials and the railroads. IL Is
said that pressure will be brought TO bear
on Senator Thompson with the idea that
some legislation will be better than none
al ALL
Mayor Bookwslter said last night that no
believed no legislation on the elevated track
question would De a serious calamity for
the city OF Indianapolis. and that. while he
earnestly hoped the bill amended by the
Senate would become law. rather than
imperil the chances OF securing the enact
ment of the compromise bill he would re-
cede from his position on the amended bill.
LINED Up FOR BATTLE.
when the forces lined up for battle yes
terday morning all the Marion county
legislators. save one-Joseph r. Morgan
were rejoicing because the Senate had
passed. late Thursday afternoon. by a vote
OF 80 TO l. Senator Thompson's two amend