Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-12-21
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Bureau Of the Courier,

Washington, D. c., Dec. 20.
discussion Of the railroad rate ques-
tion since congress convened eighteen
days ago, although just what progress
has been made will not be apparent
until there has been some sort of a
lineup.
This discussion has been confined
very largely to the senate end Of the
capitol. At the house end such mat
ters as Postmaster General Cortel-
yous order relative to the reappoint-
ment, Of postmasters; the question of
reference" Of certain matters to GER
tain committees; hazing and the dem
ocratic split. have absorbed the atten-
tion of the statesmen.
Upon the surface, at least, there ap-
pears to be no lack Of accord on the
railroad rate question in the house, but
in the senate of course there are diff
ferences of opinion-wide differences
and the question has bobbed up at
various times and under diverse cir
cumstances. Immediately after an
early adjournment of the senate, one
day last week, it happened that SEN
ators Delliver, Spooner, Aldrich, Kean,
Long, Gamble, Hopkins and two or
three others remained in the chamber
looking after some private matters at
their desks. AS Senator Dolliver was
passing down the aisle Senator Spoon
er made some remark and the senator
from Iowa paused and made reply.
Other observations were made on both
sides and then Senator Aldrich, who
was but couple of seats away, join
ed in and pretty soon Senator Kean
strolled over to Spooners seat and SO
on until there were half dozen SEN
ators in bunch and all were talking
lin turn. The railroad rate question
was under discussion.
Spooner Argues With Iowan.
Senator Spooner appeared to be the
aggressor. He laid down the law with
his characteristic vigor and earnest
ness his left hand extended palm up
ward, upon which he hammered with
his right hand. He was speaking in
low tones, yet with great force, and
| the conversation could not be heard
| by those sitting on sofas in the rear
of the chamber except as an occasion
al phrase was emphasized. Senator
Dolliver listened calmly and then re
piled Then Senator Aldrich took a
hand and Dolliver made answer or ex,
planned some point. Long would
throw in a suggestion and Kean offer.
ed an occasional remark as did Hop
kins, Gamble and the others.
The conference continued, while
page boys fingered and some Of the
floor officials remained SO as to re
spond to any call that might be made
After an hour some Of the senators be
gan to drift away and finally only Sen
ators. Dolliver, Spooner and Long re
mained. A page brought a card tc
Senator Dolliver; some guests desired
to see him in his committee room, ant
he arose and hurried out of the cham
ber.
j Conference Are Frequent.
This is one of the many similar con
;, ferences that occur from time to tim,
on the floor, during sessions, in th'
cloak rooms, in the hotel lobbies, OF
the street cars to say nothing Of com
mittee rooms.
/ The question Of railroad rates in al
! it's multitudinous ramifications is Ger
tainly being analyzed to its last in
gredient in Washington, and whatev
er comes from congress in the form
of a law, it is dead sure thing tina
the legislators Of the country will g
to their homes knowing about as mucl
about rates as railroad men them
: selves.
], Frank J. Stillman.