Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-11-21
Considering Rsilroaa Rates Question

Considering Railroad Rates Question
Washington, d. c., Nov. 21.-The
senate committee ON interstate com.
merce met here today in compliance
with call issued by Senator Elkins,
the chairman of the committee, to CON
slider the question Of railroad rates leg
islation, which will come up in the
coming session Of congress. Ever since
the hearing on the subject closed, the
committee has had two experts and a
number Of clerks employed. compiling
information for the use Of the com.
mittee and the senate They have col
lected large mass Of data and viii
have it in shape available for the com.
mittcc's benefit. The committee win
take mp the entire subject as II no
bill had been considered heretofore,
but it is expected the chairman win
be prepared TO present n measure Of
his own as basis for discussion. SEN
ator Foraker also has bill which will
receive consideration. It is expected
that the committee will continue its
work until tho opening Of congress on
December 4, and it is BY no means
probable that It will have finished It's
work by that time.
The committee Is divided IN two fac.
tions. Senators Cullom. Dollivcr and
Clapp are strongly advocating the pas.
sage Of a measure Incorporating the
views Of President Roosevelt on the
subject Of railroad rates legislation,
while the opposition includes Senators
Aldrich, Foraker, Kean, Millard and
Chairman Blkins There Is practically
no hope that tho two factions will be
able to agree on any measure and h
h almost certain that at least two 70.
ports viii be submitted. majority and
q minority report, with possibly indi.
vidual reports by ono or two mcmbcrs
who hold particular viows on the sub.
joct and cannot agree with their 9th,
er colleagues.
What tho senate IL going % do In
tho matter IL a matter Of speculation
among Tho members. 10 IL undoru, God
that some of tho eastern and south:
crn railroads have In some way signi.
fed their intention Of supporting Prov-
ident Roosovolt's policy and tho op.
position IL considerably worked up
over tho rumor that other important
lines arc about 90 give up tho fght and
limo up with tho supporters Of tho
Presidents policy.
Chairman Elklns has beon counting
senatorial uosos just az anxiously az
tho Prcsidon, and his friends have
been doing Tho southern tour OF tho
President, l. h claimed, won over two
votes those Of tho Louisiana senator's.
II IL also reekonod that, as tho senate
stands toby, there l. a majority for
some kind u conservative bin such a.
Elklns, ldrieh, Foraker aud MlllaFd
can agree upon. Tho fight l. exceed.
ingly bitter, although entirely under
tho surface, IL may soon develop In
10 an open struggle between big trunk
lines erTayed In opposition 10 each
ather II Is charged that tho seaboard
lines between Norfolk and New York.
arc, In tho main, more concerned about
their community Of interests than In
laws that win reach tariffs FOR long
freight hauls, The men lined up with
Tho Elklns contingent ay that any
community Of interests between the
roads viii not be disturbed By admin.
.siTation forces, II tho Kind OF rate
measure which tho administration ap,
proves hs plain sailing. However
much or little there may be IN such
'harges they are being driven home
With an emphasis possible. Nothing
has disturbed the Elkins people 90
much lately az the speech Of Senator
Knox in PittsbuFg. They had hoped
i'm the last moment that the senator
Fas on their side, but now they fear
hat his attituda IA the atfituda ~