Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-27
58th CONGRESS-.
General Debate on Rail-
road Rate Question.
Spirited Discussion Between
Reps. Mann and Williams.
Consideration of Agricultural Bill I'm
finished.

Washigt on. Jan. 26.-Thc dgricul.
tural appropriation bill WAS considered
III the IIouse, today, but the dcoat.
turned principally on the topic of re
stri.tiIS rail- Dads in the matter o
freight rates, the Hepburn bill form
ing the basis of the discussion.
Williams OF Mississippi, said that tn,
Democratic party Was committed t,
views such as we've expressed by tn.
President in his message to Congress.
Consideration of the agricultural bill
had OF b,en concluded when the
Louise adjourned.
a Joint resolution appropriating $40.
OOO to defrIy the expenses of the Sen.
ate in connection with the trial Of
Judge Charles SUayne was adopted
Immediately after the House convened
after which the agricultural appropri-
alton bill WAS taken up in the com
mttre of the whole.
Under Latitude of debate Scott OF
Kansas. called attention to the Hep
burn bill regulating rates charged by
railroads which. with the exception OF
a few details. he said. fully met the
demand for remedial legislation.
general debate followed on the rail
way rate question. As spokesman 70,
his party Oh the floor. Williams said
that the Democratic party was commit
ted without addition or satisfaction to
th4 recommendations of President
Roosevelt in his recent message. I'VE
will denmark the Presidents tracks
on this subject declared Williams.
amid genera, applause. and" he adj
I,t;. - 49,,
cali on YOU as American citizens TO
help MS 10 toe-mHrk them"
Rell of California ascribed sinister
motives to the use of certain language
in the preparation of the law creating
the Interstate commerce commission,
which provoked y spirited discussion
between himself. Mann Of Illinois. and
Williams Of Mississippi. the last named
asserting il as his belief that railroad
influence was felt i'll the Senate at the
ing the interstate commerce commits
sion was substituted by the Senate con
ferees for tn" so-called Regain bill. The
latter bill he declared, would have full
filled the requirements.
The present so-c;tlled Hepburn bill
Mann said WAS th, product of tho
brain of Hepburn hiirsolf.
Fell expressed the hope that Hepburn
when he anne to eXllain the bill. Woult
prove that there WAS nothing sinister
in its language. At present. however
he asserted the bill Was 50 worded as
To what should constitute Il reasonable
rate that il was susceptible of a doubl,
meaning.
After Douglass of New York, ha'
spoken in favor of ship subsidies. thu
agricultural bill was read for amend
ment.
An amendment was agreed to strik
ing out the appropriation for expert
ments in wireless tcIcgraphy afte
which the bill was Laid aside.
Al 81 O'Clock. T. NJ. the House ad
jourucd until tomorrow.
Immediately after converting toht,
the House adopted - joiat resolution
arproprating ;l0.0oo 20 ira! the *
lenses Of the Senate III cordu"tiuC tn
trial Of Judge Charles SWayne. ate
which thu agri .ultui"l appropriation
hll was taken II IN CON mittCc Of thu
whole Curricr. - H. H. IN chair.
I.ittlaiicld Ne. pat AN inquiry Il
WadNW"rth y. V. in harc, Of iii" bill
regarding the policy to l." pursued il
connection with appropriations. Fl,
Especially asked If the arl ropria ions
Wcr't" I've continued 1t III, ir existing
sire and Thereby inv"lr" The necessity
or tncrcasin" taXation in order t" &c
NOR" revenue or If ,nprol riatinns Wcr'
|" he tut down ana .hue avoid the ne
r"sSity for increasing taxation.