The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-31
RAILROAD RATE BILL PUT IN.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS MEASURE
INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.
1t Is the EsHt>Townscnd Bn. with some
Features or the Hepburn Bill Added
1t May Come Up in House Next Week
and he Voted on Before Week Ends.

anu nv fOhCh bAi bOibTO s-i"'cs
WASHINGTON, Jan 3o.--The Administra-
ton has drawn first blood In the contest
for legislation to provide greater measure
OF Federal control over railway rates. By
an agreement reached to-day by the Re-
publican members of the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, the
essential features of the measures intro
duced by Representative Esch OF Wisconsin
and Townsend OF Michigan, which had the
approval OF President Roosevelt, we're
embodied in single bill.
This was accomplished after Messr5
f oh and Townsend and Representative
Lowering OF Massachusetts,, all members OF
the fommerce committee, had informed Mr.
Hepburn OF Iowa the committee chairman,
that they would vote with the Demo-
cratic committeeman II the other Repub-
lican members did not accept the 4 Oh
Townsend proposals. Chairman Hepburn
ultimately gave way. but not until some
features of his own rate bill had been &C
cepted by the Administration spokesman.
The so-called compromise measure was
introduced in the House late this afternoon
by Representative Townsend.
No arrangement has been made by
Speaker Cannon and the Republican man
ayers of legislation in the House TO set aside
time for the consideration of the rate bill
agreed upon to-day. but the prospects are
that the measure will come before the
House next week and be votedupon before
the week Is over A Republican caucus viii
probably be held this week 10 determine
upon policy Of harmonious party action
and this may lead to further compromise
that will insure the passage OF II rate meas
ure by the House before the Fifty eighth
Congress comes to an end in March. The
Republican members of the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee agiced TO
ask the Republican leaders 10 call party
caucus
The Endorsement Of the Esch- Townsend
measure by the Republican members OF
the Commerce Committee was iirst given
at a NEE ting preliminary to the session
of the full committee In the meantime
the Democratic committeeman had met T.
ing and decided that they were bound ly
ths actions OF their partys caucus 10 sup
port the rate bill introduced by mr.. Davey
of Louisiana. However they added three
sections TO the Davey bill. one providing
a penalty Of 5000 Tor each days nom
Observance of any rats-hSing order Of
the Interstate Commerce. Commission, one
forbidding the Commissioners, to raise a
should be heard expeditiously where re-
straining orders had been made by any
court in advance Of a review Of orders
issued by the commission.
When the full committee met all the
Republicans voted for their compromise
bill and ordered 1t reported 70 the House.
The Democrats voted for the amended
Davey bill.
The original Esch bin made it the duty
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission to
stth.titpfa "a Ilel "A FOR
fixed by a railroad which the commits
sion deemed unreasonable or discrimina-
tory. The Townsend bill provided for
Federal court of transportation. which
should have original and exclusive iuris-
diction OF all suits growing out of the inter-
state commerce laws.
While the subject was under considera-
ton in the committee the Republican MEM
bers undertook IN make an agreement with
their Democratic colleagues &c, fix the time
for considering the matter in the House,
but we're unsuccessful For that reason
they agreed 10 ask the Republican leaders
to call caucus and make the bill they had
agreed upon party measure as the Demo-
Gratis had done when they in caucus APP
proved the Davey bill
The action taken to-day was a surprise
to nearly all the members Of the House.
They expected the Hepburn bill 70 be made
the basis for the compromise But when
the discussion developed the fact tina
Messrs. Townsend and Esch were 50 at
tached to their bills as TO make IL probable
that the Democrats would be called n to
arbitrate matter in dispute between Re
publican members Chairman Hepburn
suggested the course that was pursued
thereby giving up the chance Of having
his name attached 10 the important measure
that may be enacted into law
The determination TO have caucus pass
upon the subject was not wholly the result
Of Democratic refusal 70 agree upon details
for the consideration Of the measure. Mr.
Davis of Minnesota. new member, had
made plans for a little instruction against
the proposal 70 have the Committee on
Rules bring in rule to put the bill through
the House without amendment. In a short
time he had thirty young Republicans
pledged 10 vote against suoi course
They we're opposed 70 the provisions oil the
Hepburn bill because that measure abol-
ished the present Interstate Commerce |
Commission and provided for the appoint
ment Of new commission Of nine memhers.
The compromlee bill increases the MEM
bership Of the commission from five TO
seven andincreases the salaries OF the Com
missoners from $500 70 $1,000 each. II
also establishes a Court Of Transportation
composed Of five Circuit Court Judges 10 /
be designated by the President, and also |
increases the number OF Circuit Court F.
Jud ges by Ave. The Democrats objected |
TO the increase in the number OF Commits
siouers and Circuit Judg -
The court is TO hold four regular Sos |
sions. beginning IN Marcn, June'o rpteHl OCT I
and December, in Washin Ston, or wher- /,
everthe court may decide. The Judges may !
be assigned to duty in any of the regular I
Federal circuits when. such ass gDments /
shall not interfere with the discharge Of |
their duties in the Court of Transportato on. /
The court is TO recei We the testimony, hld- /
ings, orders and other records OF proceed /
ings of the Interstate Commerce Com /
mission as the record in a case. but no new !
testimony that could have been procured |
by diligence while the case was pending !
before the commission is 70 be admitted.
The count Is to have pow TO compel
the attendance OF witnesses d,fendants
or respondents, no matter whero they may
be in the United States or their possessions.
Appeals or writs Of error from the Court
Of Transportation shall lie only T. the
United States Supreme Court.
The sections Of tho bill relating 20 the
powers and procedure Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission contain the follow
inc provisions
III whenever the commission makes
finding that any rate, regulation or practice
IL unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory,
ii shall be it's duty 10 declare what shall be
just and reasonable rate, practice or regu.
lation. and the order OF the commission OF