Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-02-07
NO AMENDMENTS TO
FREIGHT RATE BILL
House Adop's Report of The
Rules Committee by a
Party Vote.
MINORITY LEADERS PROTEST
Mr. Williams criticises Rule ard
Throws Down Chalcngc-vcte
on Measure to Be Taken at 3 O'clock
on Thursday-Time Evenly Divided
To Count Electoral Vote.
MINORITY LEADERS PROTEST
Mr.. Williams criticiscs Rule ard
(EE .Associutrtl. Press.

'l'H Associated brcSS.)
WASHINGTON L. c.. Feb G.-lu,-
levin. weeks of hearings and consiG
Grafton by the committee on Inter
Stale and Foreign commerce rs we'll as
urgent recommendation CT the l'resi
dent on the subject. The House OF Rep.
rescntatves today began debating the
proposed legislation lcollin. to khe
regulation Ct railway freight rates
This action was taken only after de-
'ermned opposition by the Democrats,
led by John Sharp Williams of Mis-
sissippi the minority leader. TO tn,
adoption OF a rule which would shut
out opportunity to amend the bill
The rule was adopted by vote Of
166 to 40. Two Republicans, Mcssrs.
ScuthwicE and Vrecland of New
York. voted against the rule and one
Democrat Gaines. CT Tennessee. voted
fer it. Otherwise party lines were
tightly drawn.
Williams Crticises the Rule.
In criticising the committee CHI rules
for shutting off all opportunity for
amendment, Mr.. Williams commended
that it that opportunity We're given, the
Democrats had With them a sufficient
number Ct Republicans to pass Il bill
2mEodvins in ell its particulars The
views CT the President He offered to
surrender all the time allowed to his
side fer debate. as Well as TO forego
vote on the minority substitute If
amendments would be allowed to be Of
Tered, but the appeal was refused by
the majority
Mr.. DGAlnlond, Of Missouri. CHARGED
that the right to amend had been de
MED lin the narroNnoss Of shallow par
tisansniD.
Object OF Democrats Accomplished
In deEcunciny the rule. Mr.. Williams
declared that the object at the Demo
cratic caucus had been accomplished.
That object. he said was 10 let the
President Of the United States AID
the minority Of the majority party
Nno" that there would be 40 mere par.
tisan and fractional opposition to a
great public measure. The three
amendments Mr. Williams demanded
We're, he said to give tho commission
power to substitute rate for the one
declared Off: to make that rate oDcr-
atire until set aside by final judgment
CT G court: and to base appeal or re-
view 10 4 court upon evidence adj
duccG before the Interstate Com
rler,e Commission.
The fairness Ot the rule advocated
by the majority was declared by Mr..
DalZell to be apparent. since it If.
fcrdeG full opportunity to vote on bot:,
bills offered by the two parties. Tic
rule also was defended! 5v Nh Gro:;.
venor, OF Ohio
Orio Man Indignant.
Mr.. GrosreEor. in answer To Mr..
Cochran tMo was rnhcarsing the. ri
sina interstate legislation. when Mr..
Gaines lTenn.) cried cut: .'Oh
pshaw"
When tho laughter which followed
had suhsidcG. Mr. Gros-enor indignant
" retortcd That is il. keeping with
the character of the position he
tGaincs) occupies
Mr.. Gaines sought to explain that he
did not intend 10 be offensive. hut Mr..
GrosyenOr would not be interrupted.
Messrs. Townsend (Mich.). one or
the authors Of the bill under consider.
alton and Richardson (Ala.) occupied
the remainder of the day discussing
II. both soundin" note o! warning to
the RAILROADS that unless they Joined
hands with Congress in the matter the
people would demand more drastic log
islation.
Warning to Railways.
Let the railroads comply With this
law" said MI Townsend. and Vol.
.nla:.lv correct amy evils not covered
by this bill, and it will be we'll with
them. Let them oppose lis just pro
visions and they will but accumulate
Trouble against tho lay Of JUDGMENT Z
j Before taking his scat; Mr. Town.