The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-19
RAILROAD BILL S
FOES SURRENDER
Men Who Declared There Would
Be No Legislation Change
Front.
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service.
Washington, Jan. ia pronounced
change Of sentiment on the question Of
rate legislation is apparent about the
capitol. Men who have all along in
sisted that no action would come out Of
the agitation at this session are now
taking water and are willing to con-
cede that important factors are at work
to secure the passage of railway bill
before adjournment on March 4.
Speaker Cannon is authority for the
statement that. such a law will be passed
at this session. He asserted as much
in a speech last night at the banquet Of
the National Board Of Trade.
Inquiry was made today to ascertain
whether the speaker was correctly
quoted, and it brought out the infOrma-
tion that he had been and his predic-
tion Of rate legislation at this session
was the result Of recent conferences be-
tween representative men in both
branches of congress.
A man who stands close to the speak
er said:
Meant What He Said.
"Mr. Cannon meant what he said
when he stated that there may be legis-
lation on the subject at the present
session. What the matter Of the legis-
lation may be, I am unable to say.
| The house is in frame Of mind to
accept almost any kind of bill. The
president is spending more time con
ferring with house members on this sub
iect than with senator's. If radical
bill is to be adopted it will undoubtedly
come from that body. This is realized
by the railroad interests, who now ap-
pear to have taken fright and are talk
ing compromise. 49,. ~ II
| President Cassatt of the Pennsylvania
system favors some kind Of federal SUI
pervision, and now. President Hartman
comes out in support Of action Of the
same character. r.. $50
The attitude of influential members
of the senate was explained today as
follows: .-... e.
Would Not Shoulder Blame.
pleading republican senators have
no desire to be held responsible for the
defeat Of railroad legislation at this
session. It is clear that the house is
going to pass some rate bill, probably
this month. If it is radical measure
it will not get thru the senate. Its
death in that body would raise storm
of protest. Realizing this, certain in
| fought action at this session have
changed front. - - -..s..E - -.
Want More Courts. .-:....
At today's session of the Nationa.
Board of Trade majority report wat
read, which declared its Opposition tt
unjust determinations by railroads il
any form. The report pronounced thu
pending Cooper Quarles, bill as inexpedi
emit and stated that if existing courts
are not sufficient to give speedy de
cisions upon interstate commerce ques
|tions, additional courts should be pro
vided. r.
| The report advocates legislation b,
congress to amend the interstate com
MERGE law 50 as to permit REASONABLE
; traffic agreements between railroad
under the supervision and control of tn
interstate commerce commission, to tn
end that unjust discrimination may b
prevented and reasonable, uniform an
lstable rates be established, also that tn
act to regulate Interstate commerce b
amended. - ~ -.- 49, ~. -