Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-17
HIS OWN BILL is STRONG
Though All the Members Of His Com
mlttee 20 Not Agree They are To.
/ gether on the Most Important Points
and Committee Bill Is Expected
Soon.
IBY H. ]. MAHIN.l
Washington Bureau OF the Courier.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 16.
Friends Of railroad rate legislation
figuratively gave shout of delight on
nounced that he had prepared a bill on
the question. This bill he said will be
considered at a conference to be held
this week in which the President Sec
retary Taft, Attorney General Moody
and some members of Colonel Hep
burns committee will take part.
Colonel Hepburn had an important
conference with the President Satur-
day and made this announcement after
leaving the White House:
II am Inclined to think" said Col.
Hepburn. that we shall get railroad
legislation during the present session.
According to present indications, the
house will pass measure before the
end of the month and there is no rea-
son why 1t should not be made law.
The senate will have four or five
weeks in which to act"
Hepburn's Proposed Bill.
Colonel Hepburn's bill as 1t stands
in outline provides:
Increase of the interstate COM
merce commission to nine mem
bers. M
Power for the commission to fix
railroad rates in case of conl-
plant. the rate to become effective
at once, with twenty days allowed
8 foraappeal.
The creation Of court Of com
merce to be composed of nine
Judges in the nine circuits already
existing which shall have the
power OF review.
This court to declare any rate
fixed by the commission as reas-
enable or confiscatory; in case Of
the latter its decision is final and
the rate abolished; in case of the
former the rate fixed shall stand
for a year, the railroad then be-
ing at liberty to fix new rate.
What is considered the most import
ant achievement so far by the friends
of railroad legislation is the bringing
of Colonel Hepburn around to the
proposition for increasing the powers
Of the commission. Until now it is
understood that he has stoutly stood
out against this.
Representative Esche and Town
send, members Of Colonel Hepburn's
committee. are preparing bills differ
ing from Colonel Hepburn's. but only
as they refer to the court idea. Both
factions among the republicans Of the
committee are now agreed on rate fix
ing by the commission. With this as a
basis there is prospect of early
agreement and committee bill which
Speaker Cannon has said will pass.
Shaw Has Proposition.
Secretary Shaw also has come for
ward with a proposition in the matter
of rebate prohibition which is at
tracing attention in congress and may
be included in the interstate commerce
bill. It provides that the beneficiary
Of a railroad rebate may be sued by
any shipper who thereby suffers. for
twice the amount involved. The rail.
roads alleged to be granting such re-
bates are compelled to furnish proof
and United States attorney may be
called into action in the case.
The Inevitable Joke.
A humorous feature of the inter.
state commerce legislation has de.
veloped in the introduction by Repre-.
sentative Shiras Of Pennsylvania Of a
bill providing for close time for migra-
tory birds. Mr.. Shiras holds that these
birds are subject to federal super.
vision because their migrations consti-
tute interstate traffic.
Y y D l. - hl 5H .