The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-21
ABANDONS HOPE OF RATE LAW
PRESIDENT STILL SIDERING
CALLING ENTRt SESSION.
Some Chance sin of Congressional Conn
mittees Being Appointed TO Cons
slider the Question In the Recess sch
and Townsend al white House.

WAsHINGroS, Feb 20 Tomorrow the
Senate Committee on Interstate Conn
meroe will hold an executive session TO
decide that there shall be no railway rate
legislation before Congress adjourns An
attempt to have the committee report the
rate bill passed by the House may be made,
hut it is regarded as foregone conclusion
that, whatever the committees action the
Senate will not take any step toward max
ing law on the subject in the bare two
weeks that remains Of the life Of the present
Congress.
President Roosevelt, as The Sun has
said, realizes this condition, and to-day
the announcement was made in his behalf
by Representatives Esch and Townsend.
the Joint authors Of the bill which was
jammed through the House. that he had
practically abandoned hope Of accomplish
ing anything in the Senate before March
4 and has under consideration the adj
visibility of calling an extra session for
Oct. i. for the consideration of the rate
question
1t has been told in Washington dispatches
to THE SIN that Senator kean OF New
Jersey had prepared a resolution pro-
vidng for the appointment of a sub-com-
mittee to consider the matter OF railroad
freight rates in the legislative recess and
report its conclusions at the probable extra
session or at the regular session which VIII
be begun in December.
Senator Kean's resolution embodied the
plan Of the Republican manage Of the
Senate. He intended TO present IL fully
two weeks ago but did not do so for reasons
boa ., htf,NeaIr nj hOaa With whom
he advised Senator Kean has the resolu-
sion in hs pocket. He will carry it with him
TO the meeting of the committee tomorrow
and may present it for the committees
consideration. II is likely that should he
do so. the resolution will be reported favor
ably. but it is still matter Of conjecture
whether action upon it will be had at this
session.
The visit of Representatives Elch and
Townsend 20 the White HousS vas for
the purpose of discussing with the Presi-
dent the outlook for rate legisa IN befors
adjournment. They found that the Presi-
dent regarded the prospect Of speedy
action "a hopeless.
The Administration would find soma
grains of comfort in m agreement between
the Senate and the House TO appoint
Joint committee 70 investigate tho reported
demand for giving the Interstate COM
MERGE Commission authority 70 fix freight
rates, with instructions to report to tho
Fifty-ninth Congress when it assemblies.
1t is not likely, borrower, that this will
! be brought about.
The most favorable arrangement that can
| be expected from an Administration point
| Of view is the appointment of separate
! committees by the Senate and the House,
although it is doubtful whether the present
House, which will oease to exist March &,
has the right to designate committees that
will conduct its business in another Con-
! gross.
Representatives Esch and Townsend made
It known. after thoir talk with the Presi-
dent that they intended to devote the
! recess to a thorough study Of the rate ques-
! ton with the object of renewing their fight
! forlegisation when the Fifty-ninth Congress
assemblies.