Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-21
RAILROAD REBATES
Action Expected by House
This Session.
TWO PLANS DISCUSSED
JOINT COMMISSION TO LOOK INTO
THE WHOLE SUBJECT.
House to Pass Bill Enbodying Lead
TWO PLANS DISCUSSED
House to Pass Bill Enbodying Lead
ers' Views-Mr. Moody Pre-
pairing Measure.

1t is practically certain that the House
of Representative will take action at the
present session of Congress upon the sub
iect of regulation of railroad rates, recon-
mended In President Roosevelt's message.
This decision has virtually been reached by
a number Of republicans of prominence and
influence in the House. 1t remains to be
determined what form the legislation will
take, as this branch of the subject has
been discussed only tentatively.
1t is certain that the legislation will be
a modification of the Presidents sugges-
ton. The House is not prepared to go to
the length or rather in the direction rec
commended by the President. The attain
ment of his object will be furthered by the
House, although his method may not be
followed.
Two propositions are under discussion.
The first is that joint commission be au-
,horized to look into the whole subject dur
ing the summer and report to the next
Congress.
The second is that the House shall pass
bill at the present session embodying the
views of the republican leaders and pass it
so desires.
At the present time the latter proposition
appears to be meeting with most favor. 1t
is argued in behalf of it that a simple bill
can be passed by the House, as evidence of
appreciation of the House of the magnitude
of this subject and guarantee Of the good
faith of the administration in pushing the
question.
1t is further contended that even If the
Senate did not act upon the measure at
this session, the press of the country, the
railroads and the shippers could have some-
thing definite to work upon during the re-
cess of Congress, so that at the next ses-
sion the sentiment of the country could be
crystallized.
Authoritative information indicates that
action of some kind at the present session
in line with the Presidents initiative is Ger
tain to be taken, at least by the House Of
Representatives.
MI. Moody Preparing Bill.
The belief was expressed today by one
of the visitors to the President that Attor-
| ney General Moody is engaged in the prep
aration of measure to be introduced In
Congress that will represent the views or
President Roosevelt and the administration
on the question Of rebate of railroad rates.
1t is believed that Mr.. Moody Is hard az
work on the measure and that he will have
1t ready to place In the hands of some
member of Congress shortly after the re-
assembling of that body after the holidays
1t is conceded that no more competent per-
son could have been chosen for the task
than Mr.. Moody. His ability as a. lawyer
and his long experience in Congress will en-
able him to draw measure that Will fully
express the attitude ofthe President ana
that will come as near meaning something
and intending something as could be pre-
pared by any one else.
The President takes a deep interest in
the enactment at this session of Congress
Of some effective legislation bearing upon
the rebate proposition. The letters he gets
from all parts of the country have con-
vinced him that the people unanimously
approved his position on this subject, and
that they are using their influence with
Congress to have its members look upon 1t
In the. same way. E.sP. Bacon of Mil
waukees chairman OF the executive COM
mittee of the Interstate Commerce Law As
sociati0n, called on the President this
morning with Secretary Morton. who, as a
railroad man, is leadiAg in the demands
for legislation that will be fair to the pub
lie and to the railroads. Mr.. Bacon has
been pushing the Cooper Quarles bill. but Is
perfectly willing to see something 'Just as
good become law.