Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-06
Authors Say it Meets
Ideas of President
Roosevelt.
CANAL BILL TAKEN UP
Resolution Asking for Annexa-
tion of San Domingo
and Haiti.

Washington. Dec 6-The Esch-
Townsend railroad rate bill which pass
ed the house at its last session. has
been redrawn and was re-introduced III
the house today by Townsend. The
bill embraces all the features of the
former measure, but is drawn so as 10
specify specifically the particular
things which may be done by the in
terstate commerce commission.
Extends Authority.
In addition it has publicity feature
and gives the commission jurisdiction
over refrigeration and terminal charg-
es. 1t also directly prohibits carrier
from granting any shipper the privilege
of collecting his product and even get
ting special rates under a short term
provision for changing rates.
Carries out Presidents Idea.
As explained today by Townsend. the
bill expresses the ideas of the presl-
dent in his message and will. if enact
ed into law. amend the interstate com
merCe law so as 10 make il more effec
tual in securing exact justice between
carriers shippers. producers and con
sumers." The president in his mes
sage calls particular attention TO three
matters which should be included in
any measure to amend the interstate
commerce law.
MidniGh Rates.
"First-To provide against so called
midnight rates"
"SeCond-TO empower commission
with authority 10 fix, upon complaint
and full hearing. Il reasonable maxi
mum rate in place of one found by the
commission to be unreasonable and
have IL go into early effect"
"Third-To compel widest publicity
of railroad bookkeeping and methods
This the new Esch-Townsend bill
fully aCcomplishCs"
SpecIH" in Detail
IL amends the substantive law 50 A.
To embrace within the powers of the
commission all interstate carriers of
Interstate and foreign commerce.
whether 10y railroads or partly by rail
roads aud partly by water. includes
specifically i'm the term transpOrta-
ton. all ears. vehicles. ventilation, re
frigCration. elevation. transfer, storage,
and all other facilities and instrumen-
talitics of shipment and carriage. belt
and terminal siding and industrial
tracks. and thus give the commission
authority over the so-called private car
and other agencies.
increases Number.
1T enlarges the interstate commerce
commission to seven members and in
creaseS the length of their term of of
flee to seven years and their salaries
to 10000 The commission will com
pei the establishment of joint and
through rates for interstate traffic and
abolish the custom which exists in
some cases OF billing shipments within
the borders of state and then compel
reShipment It seeks TO abolish the so
called midnight rate evil by enlarging
the time in which published or sched-
ulcd rates can be changed. 10 90 days,
and compels the carrier to itemize its
schedules and rates in accordance vita
the instructions of the commission.
30 Days to Act.
The bill provides that the commits
sion shall decide promptly and within
90 days after hearing all cases brought
before it
Fall Debate ON Canal
Washington Dec. 6.-The session ot
the committee on rules. held just be
fore the house convened today. resulted
in the preparation of a rule which will
admit consideration of the canal bill
even though unanimous consent be re
fused The rule provides for unlimited
debate
Saves Old Constitution.
McNary. Of Massachusetts. intrOduC-
ed a biz providing for the transfer of
the frigatc Constitution TO Castle Island.
Boston. Mass. for use as naval
museum.
Unanimous consent vas given for
the consideration of the bill appropria-
ting $16.50O.OO0 for the Panama canal
Williams claimed there should have
been an itemized account of eXpendj-
lures. Hepburn made a general speech
ON the canal and progress of the work
thus far
None Can Claim credit.
Williams declared the canal a non
partisan undertaking. and said no one
could claim credit for il. lie intended