Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-18
At The WHITE HOUSE
More .oonfags. on Railroad
Rate Legislation.
GOV. BRADY CALLS
DISCUSSED NEEDS OF ALASKA
wrTA PRESIDENT.
Many Applications for Chief of Bureau
Of American Republics to Sue
coed Mr.. Rockhill.

1t Is asserted today with more than ordi-
nary show of conviction that an agreement
is making between the leaders of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives in ac-
cordance with which railroad rate legisla-
ton will be enacted into law at the present
session OF Congress. The basis of the legis-
lation will be the measure drawn by Col.
w. p Hepburn, chairman of the interstate
and foreign commerce committee of the
House That bill already has been consid-
cred by the President, Attorney General
Moody. Secretaries Taft and Morton, and by
members of both the House of Representa-
tlves and the Senate. 1t does not meet the
approval of all who have examined it, but it
is believed to be a good foundation for a
measure which probably can be enacted.
1t Is suggested that an effort may be made
to enact law that, in perfunctory way.
would meet the recommendations of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, yet not be what he wants.
If such a measure should be passed by both
branches of Congress the President, it is
pointed out, would have to sign the bill or
place himself in direct opposition to the ex-
pressed judgment of the Senate and the
House.
1t is indicated authoritatively, however
that no such measure as that is likely to
be enacted. The President and his friends,
WIo are aware of the plan suggested, will
not permit such situa ton to arise OFF,
cials or the administration are keeping in
close touch with all phases of the railroad
rate discussion and whatever measure ulti-
mately Is passed by Congress will meet
IN "a general way, at least, the approval
or the President. In fact, no bill that he
would not be willing to sign would have
the slightest chance of passage by Con-
gress.
The probability is that the Hepburn bill
Will be IN troduced very soon. 1t will be
referred then to the committee on inter-
STATE ana foreign and W
reasonable time, be reported to the House
from that committee. The expectation is
mat the measure will be passed by the
House before February l. What the Senate
may do with the bill yet is problematical,
put the President has received assurances
That a vigorous effort will be made to Sc
cure dIlrmatlve action on it at this ses-
sion. In this effort, it is understood, the
majority will have the support of MANY
democratic senators
Inc PRESIDENT talked with a good many of
iiie VISITORS To-Day as to enlargement of the
powers of the Interstate commerce commits
sion. One Of these was c. F. Staples a
member of the railroad and warehouse com
MISSION Of Minnesota. He was presented by
senator Nelson Another visitor who dis
cussed the same subject with the Presi-
Gent was eXJRepresentative Combs of
brooklyn, N "; who was a member of the
interstate and foreign commerce committee
had much to do with the settlement of the
Union Pacific Indebtedness to the United
States. The railroads. said Mr. Combs,
are go agile Ia evading the laws of the
country that Congress can't keep up with
them in enacting. and l would not be sur
prlsed TO see them exert every influence to
have measure put through Congress at
this session that will absolutely mean moth
ing WHen ITS enforcement is attempted" 4
The President received the members of
the national board of trade in session here.
and the state railroad commissioners. who
are now in Washington.