The Saint Paul globe., 1905-02-22
Railroad News
PRESIDENT ABANDONS
ESCH.TOWNSEND BILL
Senator Elkins Says Roosevelt
Has Given Up Measure
for This Session

WAShlNGION, ID. C., Feb. 21.-The
senate committee on interstate COM
merce today reached no definite con-
clusion as to postponement of railroad
rate legislation at this session of con-
gress. The committee will go on with
hearings Thursday, when the resolu-
ton of Senator Kean, providing for an
investigation of the subject of rate
legislation during the recess, will be
considered. .
The committee considered for more
than an hour the question of reporting
to this session bill for the regulation
OF railroad rates, or a resolution asking
that the committee be authorized to sit
during the recess to perfect some meas
ure that will meet the objections urged
against the Esch-Townsend bill, which
was passed by the house. The senti-
ments expressed by members of the
committee were so varied that agree
ment was impossible and amid confu-
sion the committee was adjourned by
Chairman Elkins, with the announce
ment that a meeting will be held on
Thursday to hear Stuyvesant Fish,
president of the Illinois Central, and
others, who have been invited by the
committee.
The controversy over the programme
to be adopted was precipitated within
a few moments after the committee
was called to order.
Tries to Force Bill
Senator Dolliver moved that the COM
mfttee take up the ESch-Townsend bill
and other measures before the COM
mittee, and continue meeting every day
until some bill can be reported to the
present session of congress. Oppo-
nents of the bill demonstrated but
Chairman EllSins made himself heard
In order to respond to the motion. He
declared that the number of protests
that had been made against a bill pass
ed by the house and the number of de-
mands for hearings made by the in
terests affected by the proposed legis-
lation, made it imperative that ex-
haustive hearings be held.
Senator Cullom called attention to
the-presldents message on rate legiS-
lation, and argued that ii was due him
that some action be taken at the pres
ent session. He thought the house bill
might be amended to make IL q safe
measure for the present, the committee
having in mind further amendments
after a trial had been given IL by the
interstate commerce commission. Sem
ator Dolliver talked in a similar vein
and Senators Clapp, Foster. of Louisi-
ana, and Carmack thought some ac-
tion should be taken without delay.
In response to the demands for i'm
mediate action on the house bill, Sen
ator Kean said that nearly every law
yer that had examined it had poked
their fingers through ii and declared
many of Its provisions unconstitution-
al and that il does not reach the evils
complained of by shippers. but that 1t
did jeopardize the securities of the
railroads.
Says Roosevelt Gave Up Bill
why the president himself realizes
that no action can be had at the pres
ent session." interrupted Chairman
Elkins.
He does not indorse this bill now
and believes that a better measure can
be drawn. He Is willing to take the
responsibility of a postponement, es-
pecially as he has been assured that If
no measure is passed at this session
the committee will meet early and
press an investigation right through"
In spite of the opposition developed.
Senator Dolliver pressed his motion.
1t was met with arguments from sew
eral Democrats as well as the Repub-
licans quoted. Senator Newlands has
bill before the committee on which
he wants to have hearings, and said
that If committee Is appointed to
take testimony during the recess all OF
euC fciiOdo pIcScHlcu De
given consideration. Senator Kean
prepared a resolution several weeks
ago asking that the committee be des-
ignated to sit during the summer, but
after consultation with members of
the committee decided to submit il to
the committee instead of Offering IL in
the senate. He had intended to offer
1t today, but Senator Dolliver fore
stalled it with his motion. The resolu-
tion was not before the committee, but
its provisions were known, and the
course suggested formed the basis of
the argument.
No vote of any kind was had dur
ing the meeting, and division of the
committee could not be made from the
arguments.
Senator Carmack favored the Dolli-
yer motion, but said he would not vote
for the Townsend bill in its
present form. Senator Foster and Sem
ator McLaurin said they had not fully
made up their minds in regard to the
bill before them. 1t was the over
whelming sentiment that the bill could
not be reported without additional
hearing, but II was not determined
whether there should be a limit of
time placed on the investigation.
Senator Dolliver announced that he
would. renew his motion when the
committee meets again. and said fur
ther that II resolution is adopted to
sit after the adjournment of congress
he would move to amend TO require
an early report.