Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-13
THE PHILIPPINE BILL
SENATE DISCUSSES THE RAIL
ROAD MEASURE.

In the Senate yesterday afternoon after
The Stars report OF the proceedings was
closed Mr.. Stewart tNev) said that to
secure the best results, sufficient money
should be given the Secretary of Agricul
ture to make proper investigation and
publish the results to the whole world. I'M
pure foods, he said, were sapping the con-
situations of the American people and de-
stroying their stomachs. The method sug-
gested by him, he said, would go far to-
ward remedying the existing evil.
Messrs Hepburn and McCumber IN.
Dak.) made an earnest plea flor early ac-
ton on the bill, the latter deploring the
fact that in four years the pure food advo-
Gates had been unable to secure a vote on
such measure.
Philippine Bill Taken Up.
At o'clock the bill was laid aside, and
the Philippine government bill, which was
the unfinished business. was taken up.
Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) attacked the provision
in the bill relating to the guaranty Of in
come or interest on bonds of railroads in
the Philippines, and said the Philippine
commission should not be authorized to
make such guarantee. He agreed with the
view Of Mr.. Bacon (Ga.), who interrupted
him, that there never had been a govern
ment-aided railroad in the United States
ing to a suggestion by Mr.. Newlands (Nev)
that the Philippine government build the
railroads themselves, Mr.. Spooner said he
was not much captivated with the idea of
government ownership Of railroads. If, he
said, the government Under any circum-
stances was to guarantee dividends on
stock the railroad company ought not to
be permitted to put on that property a
mortgage lien ahead of that stock without
the consent of Congress.
This suggestion, Mr.. Lodge (Mass.), chair
man of the Philippine committee, thought
wise one, and said 1t may be necessary to
make provision in the bill for protecting
the interests of the government, although
he felt the Philippine commission would
themselves safeguard the interests of the
United States.
Mr.. Newlands Willing to Try the Elk
pertinent.
Disclaiming that he had become a con-
vert to governmental ownership Of rail-
roads, Mr.. Newlands expressed the fear
that If the comprehensive system of rail-
roads for the Philippines provided by the
bill was intrusted to individuals, there
would be every appeal to human selfshness
and human avarice to prevent that system
from the beneficence intended.
1t would he said, be worth something to
try the experiment of governmental owner
ship of the proposed roads, because if I'M
successful, government ownership of rail-
rOaOS IN the UnlteQ StdtSS AiSru iiO Hunger 10
1t was, he said, well known that the
democratic party was opposed to holding
the Philippines, and, therefore, was against
strengthening the ties, that bind this coun-
try to those islands, although they did not
encourage the immediate cutting of those
ties ~
Mr.. Newlands quoted the views of VIII
liam j. Bryan and President Roosevelt re-
garding the Philippine question. He said
that he presumed both spoke for their par
ty and that the only difference between the
two utterances was that Bryan would give
today the assurance OF ultimate fnde-
pendence. while President Roosevelt only
extends the hope 98
''Why do you ignore the views of Judge
Parker?' interjected Mr.. Foraker (Ohio).
IT don't ignore the views Of any demo-
crat in the country" replied Mr.. Newlands.
who added that he had quoted Mr.. Bryan
because that gentleman had for eight years
been the recognized leader of the democ-
racy.
Briefly replying to Mr.: Newlands, Mr..
Lodge declared that the United States was
not going into the ownership of railroads
and it was not worth while to consume
time in discussing the proposition.
Upon his motion the bill was laid aside,
and at 800 o'clock the Senate went into
After being in executive session fifty min
utes the Senate at 4:10 o'clock adjourned
until today.