Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-14
Railroad Freight Rate Con-
ference Held.
Mr.. HEPBURN'S BILL
1T EMBopIEs THE PRESIDENTS
REdoMMENpATIoNs.
Can Go Through House This Session
May Not Pass senate-others
Of Today's Callers.

President Roosevelt had conference
today with Secretary Taft and Repre-
sentative Hepburn Of Iowa, chairman of
the Interstate and foreign commerce COM
mittee OF the House, regarding railroad
freight rate legislation.
At the conclusion Of the conference
Representative Hepburn said he had pre-
pared bill on the subject Of railroad
rates which embodied the recommended
lions OF the President, so far as they
went The measure also provided for the
necessary machinery to carry the provis-
Ions of the proposed law into effect.
Colonel Hepburn would not discuss the
details of the bill, but indicated that 1t
contained a provision for court to con-
slider such cases as might arise under the
proposed law. He was-asked the direct
question whether the measure would pro-
vide for court and replied:
don't your
Colonel Hepburn added that, in a few
days, conference would be held, probably
at the White House. for the consideration
OF the measure he had prepared. The Pres
ldent. Secretary Taft, Attorney General
Moody and Others said Colonel Hepburn,
who are especially interested in the leg
islation will participate in the conference.
No.. he continued, 1T will not be neces-
Sarily a party to the conference but my
work will be here"
DO you think rate legislation will be
enacted at the present session."
Il do, most certainly replied Col. Hep
burn. Il believe the House will pass a
measure before the end of this month and
there is no reason why 1t should not be
ends"
The conference will probably reach some
determination as to a bill that will repre-
sent the combined wisdom of those who
take part. If the bill can be quickly pre-
pared and submitted to the House Col
Hepburn is under the belief that the House
can pass measure that suits 1t in a short
time. This would put the matter I'D to
the Senate with more than month to
spare.
James J. Hill a Guest.
The Presidents Information as to the
railroad rebate proposition was consider
ably increased this afternoon by a talk
with James J!.Hill of the Great Northern
railroad and the head of the Northern Sc
curities Company before 1t was knocked out
Of existence by the courts Of the country.
MI Hill accepted an Invitation to luncheon
today and he spent an hour and half with
the President The visit was an interest
ing one, as Mr.. Hill was strong in his op-
position to the nomination and election Of
President Roosevelt, but the President has
no Ill feeling on that score and desires to
see the railroad question from every stand
point. 9ss IA - a
Believes il, Arbitration,
Oscar Straus, fotTner minister of the
United States. to- Turkey. called on the
President. Mr.. Stratus said he was deeply
concerned in the arbftratio treaties pend
ing in the Senate. II believe the treaties
will be ratified" said Mr.. Strauss. ct have
talked with senators about them, and find
ho hovr I,nir &txof.- a
We have clauses in existing treaties that
are far broader than any of the treaties
now before the Senate. This country has
led the world in arbitration treaties since
sirous Of seeing the new ones become per-
manent."
Naval Appropriations.
Representative Butler of Pennsylvania,
who Is member of the naval affairs COM
mittee of the. House. discussed with. the
President this morning the naval ~appro-
priation bill for the present session He saw
the President by appointment. General re-
port has represented him as opposed to
large appropriations for enlargement of the
navy and continuation of the present policy.
Mr.. Butler told the President what he
felt on the question. He declared that he
was not opposed to an enlargement of the
navy, but he was opposen to permitting a
to the Navy Department. He was willing
that there should be more battle ships, and
that appropriations should be made to meet
the contracts of those now in course of
erection, but he did believe there were Incl
dental expenses connected with the Navy
Department that could be decreased instead
of increased.
The President reiterated his views as to a
continuation of the policy of several years
past of large navy, and hoped that Con-
gress would be liberal in that direction.
Fred Nixon, speaker Of the New York
house Of representatives.: J. s. Whipple,
State Senator FranchOt and Representative
Vreeland had a conference with the Presi-
dent having come on from New York last
night for that purpose. 1t is stated that
the object of the visit was to talk with the
President about plans to bring about har-
mony in the New York organization, but
as there is little need now to attempt har-
mony efforts not much attention is given
to this phase of the interview.
Presented With African Souvenirs.
Rev. William H. Sheppard, fine-looking,
intelligent colored man who has spent
fourteen years in the Congo country of
Africa as a Presbyterian missionary, pre-
scented the President today with souvenirs
of Africa The articles consisted of q
unique pipe made by the Bakuba tribe, 49,
900 miles in the interior OF the Congo State;
a fine cat skin, an African rug and a long
piece of native linen. made from plain fiber,
with which the women drape their bodies.
Mr.. Sheppard went into the Congo country
fourteen years ago with young white
missionary from Alabama.
The white man died, but Sheppard re-
NAMED. Beginning with the most ignorant
people in the world, he now has 1000 men,
bers of his church and has assisted the ma
tives In establishing p written language,
which they have learned to read. Under
his assistance There are now two print
ing presses and pf1nts in which books are
issued in the native language. Sheppard
made good impression upon the Pres
ident. who thatked mY for his thoughtful
ness. saf,a
No Railroad Legislation.
A senator Of wide Influence in Congress
told the President today that it would be