New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-02-04
RATE BILL TO BE PASSED.
MADE A PARTY MEASURE.
Republican Conference Decides to
Push Railroad Legislation.
IFRox THE rRrsUxE BUREAU.I


bers of the House have adopted the Townsend
Esch Railroad Rate bill party measure and
arranged that the Committee on Rules shall pro-
vide for its safe conduct through the lower
chamber rule will be brought in next Tues
day limiting the debate on the bin to two days
and permitting the introduction of a minority
substitute No amendments VIII be allowed.
and at the close cf the debate a vote VIII be
taken. first on the substitute and then on the
bill itself This action insu-es the passage
OF the measure through the House. although the
unal vote will not lie taken before Thursday.
Feoruary y, as Wednesday viii be devoted to
the formaHty Of counting the electoral vote.
Inc proposed action is the result of a confer
ence Of the Republican Representatives, this
afternoon. which lasted three hours
opposition TO the approval of the bill by the
conference proved less formidable than was
expected, although a lively ana az times. heat
ed discussion was precipitated and forty-four
members, insisting on further consideration sup
ported Representative Wanger's motion to post
pone action These votes were cast by twenty
Two members Of the Pennsylvania delegation
ana twenty-five from other Eastern states
Inc opposition predicted from the Northwest
failed TO develop greatly TO the discontinue OF
those who had freely prophesied serious
party split over the bill
Representative Townsend made an excellent
impression in his explanation OF the bill He
was subjected to "a fusilIade OF rapid fire ques-
tons which might have confused even a veteran
of the House, but old member expressed
it, me knew just what he wanted to say and
how 10 say it, and he showed that ne is a
conner Speaker Cannon took hand in the
proceedings and supported the BILL although. as
he explained it not all that could be de-
sired. He declared il TO be a step in the right
direction, and his counsel. always powerful with
his associates. carried its accustomed weight
to-day. Other leaders of the party spoke in
favor Of the legislation. and the opposition. al
though aggressive and determined. was over
wheuued.
An hour before the conference the PennsyI-
vania allegation met in caucus. and the tone
OF the speeches mace was in violent antago-
nism 10 the bill. Representative Mahon de-
elared that ne would resign his seat rather than
be forced into supporting the bin. and at the
party conference held later he walked out rather
than take part in the consideration OF measure
which he held should not be taken up at this
time. The delegation. having voted 10 refuse
be bound by any action of the conference.
consistently maintained its position. and will
vote as it pieases when the bill is brought be-
tore the House.
RULE FOR CONSIDERATION.
The conference instructed the House Commit
coasiderattor OF the bilI beginning at II o'cIocA
on Tuesday morning and continuing until
O'Clock ON Wednesday. when vote shah be
taken. The first vote IS to be taken on the
Davey bill. the Democratic substitute for legiS-
lation on railroad rates. The only test vote
taken vas on motion to postpone action until
a further conference on next Tuesday. This
was lost, Il to 1G7. Efforts were made to amend
the bill. but they ali failed. Fault was found
the ground that it did not include regulation Of
the private car evil and terminal charges. The
advocates of the bill met these criticisms by de-
clarins that it contained authority TO correct
these evils.
The change of the meeting from caucus.
the call stated, 10 conference leaves mem
bers free 10 follow their own inclinations. 1t .
reported that the opposition may organize with
the purpose Of joining the minority in the House
in the vote on the rule prescribing the manner
of considering the bin. These plans. however.
still indefinite.
PROTEST FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Messrs. 01ahon and Sibley. Of Pennsylvania.
were conspicuous in Eeir opposition TO any leg
islarion ut this time. both contending that sufH-
cient time had not been given to consideration
of the subject. Pennsylvania Mr., Mahon said.
was the State most affected. and he thought
that the millions Of money involved In the pro-
posed legislation should not be leOpardized BY
hasty action, In addition to his protest that
sufficient time had not been given for considera-
tion, Mr.. Si5iey expressed the opinion that the
members Of the committee which reported the
bill were not clear in their Interpretation OF it.
Mr.. Wanger, OF Pennsylvania, took different
attitude from that Of his colleagues. and said he
would support the proposed measure unless he
was convinced that something better could be
offered
At this junctyre Speaker Cannon advised his
associates that il action was 70 he taken at all
IL must ne done now. He suggested that a re-
cess might be taken until evening. in order that
the members might further consider the aUes-
ton. The sentiment OF the members present.
however. was SO cterwheImingly in favor Of I'M
mediate action ehar the Speaker did not press
his suggestion
Nr. Payne. Of New ork The majority leader.
in answer 70 8Ir. ~ -ahon's charges that the pro-
posed bill would result in confscation and great
hardship. said thar in It's present shape IL did
not provide for more than what was in the orig
inal Interstate Commerce act w niCh had stood
for ten years at the end OF which ltu-s the rail-
roads raised the question OF the legality OF the
enforcement OF the decisions of the commission
that no power TO rx rates was vested in the
commission. In other words, he said the law
now proposed had beer in effect FOR ten years.
and had worked 10 the satisfaction OF The rail-
ToCcS.
The Escn- Townsend bill extends power 70 fix
rat to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
in 4 ases the commission from FIVE 10 seven