The Cairo bulletin., 1905-02-04
BY the Assoc ated Press.

by the Assoc atcd Press.
Washington, Feb, 3.-Tae Repubii-
caus of the house IA confer nee this
afternoon adopted as a party meas
ure the bill extending rate making
powers 10 the interstate commerce.
commission, as agreed upon by tho
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce and known as the Esch-
Townsend bill The conference in
structed the house committee on
rules to bring in rule providing for
consideration of the measure begin
ming at II o'clock TUESDAY morning
next aud continuing until O'Clock
Wedn esday, when vote snail be
taken. No amendments will be allow
ed to the bill, although the first vote
is TO be taken on the Davey bill, as
the Democratic substitute for legisla
ticn on the railway rate subject.
Opposition Developed.
The conference, which lasted three
hours. developed opposition 10 the
measure. The only test vote taken
was on motion to postpone The mat
ter for further conference next Tues
day. This was lost, A TO 107 Efforts
were made to amend the bill during
the conference but failed Fault was
found with the bill on the ground
that 1t did not include regulation for
the private car evil and terminal
charges. Advocates of the bill con
rested these criticisms. claiming that
authority was contained in the bill
TO correct the complained of evils.
The chRnge of the meeting from
caucus, as the call stated, 10 a con
ference" leaves the members partic-
ipating free to follow their own IN
clinations. II is understood that the
opposition may organize with the pur-
pose of joining the minority in the
house in vote ON the rule pre- crib
ing the manner of consideration OF
the bill in the house. These plans,
however. have not been actually anu
definitely decided on.
Massrs. Mahon and Sibley OF Penn
sylvania were conspicuous in their op-
position to any legislation at this
time, both 1ontsnding that sufiicient
time had not been given TO consid-
Grafton OF the gubject
Cannon Says Now, II At All.
Speaker Cannon advised his associ-
ates that IL action was TO be taken
at all II must be done now. He sug-
gestcd that a recess might be taken
until evening in order taat the mem
bers might further consider the ques-
lion. The sentiment OF the members
present, however, was so overwhelm
ingIy In favor of Immediate action
that the speaker did no: press his sug-
gestion.
Psyne's Strong Speech
The speech that most impressed
the mcmb RS was delivered by MI.
Payne of New York, the majority
leader. wno in answer 10 Mr.. Ma
hons allegations that the proposed
bill would result in confiscation and
grea. hardship. said tie bill in its
pres sant shape did not provide for any
thing more than what was in the or
which had stood for ten years. at the
end of which time the railroads rals-
ed the question of the legality OF the
enforcement of the decisions OF the
commission as TO rates, the courts
sustaining the contention that there
was no power vested in the commits
sion to fix rates In other words, he
aaid. the very law now proposed vas
in effect for ten years and had operat-
ed TO the satisfaction of the rail
roads.
President Stickney pointed out
wha he considered defects in the
present interstate commerce law and
showed how railways through the
midnight schedule" were now dis
eriminating agains. small shippers
and that with the legal sanction OF
the commerce commission.
One schedule Of rates for all rail
roadz. axed by the laterz.aie sea