Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-12
IN THE SENATE.
Spirited Discussion on Railroad Rates
and Panama Canal Bills.

Washington. Dec 11.-With spirited
debates on the subjects of railroad
rate legislation arising through the In
PRODUCTION of bill by Tillman tn
authorize the Interstate Commerce
commission to fix maximum rates
and the Panama canal, due TO a con-
'troversy over the reference of the
emergency appropriation bill to a
committee. today's session of the Sem
ate continuously proved Interesting
Tor more than four hours
An adjournment was taken witbout
mention of the late Senator Mitchell
or Oregon, and SO for the first time
the death of a member was permitted
to pass unnoticcd by the Senate. The
erasure of Mr.. MitchelPs name from
me rolls follows. Chaplain Hale call
eu the situation to mind in his PRAYER.
ny referring polntedly to corruption
and death and by praying that MEM
bers of the Senate be given strength
To bear each others burdens.
The debate on the Tillman bill was
engaged in by a number of senator's
Foraker declared that the bill proved
that its author believed the nresept
laws were sufficient to correct all AL
i"ged transportation evils exccDt ex-
cesSlVe rates, and that there was am
PIE provision for the punishment of
rebates giving. Tillman responded that
ne had thought the laws sufficient IN
III the investigation begun by Messrs.
Judson and Harmon, into the Santa
Fee case, had terminated in q pitiab}e
fiasco.
Alter more than score of senators
mad discussed the Panama canal bill
1t was referred to the appropriation
committee by vote of 40 to %.
When the Senate convened. TODAY. ;,
message was received from the House
transmitting the emergency bill appro-
priation $11.O00,00O for the Panama ca
nal.
1t was withheld by the Vice President
until the conclusion of the routine
morning business. During the introduce
ton of bills there were numerous con-
ferences on the floor to determine
whether the measure should be re-
ferred to the committee on appropria-
lions or the inter-oceanic canal COM
mittee
Tlllnan introduced his railroad rate
bill and was given permission to ex-
plain it to the Senate. 1t amends the act
TO regulate interstate commerce by CIV
ing to the interstate commerce COM
mission the power to fix "a maximum
reasonable rate" when it determines
that an existing rate is unjust or I'M
and the rate so fixed shall |
be the only legal rate charged.
Foraker said he believed the bill is |
is to go into the rate making business |
ii all, as it would do the least possible /
harm. ~
Foraker took the position that Till |
mans bill recognizes the fact that the |
present laws are sufficient to reach re-
bates and everything but discriminate !
ing charges.
Il had supposed that the law was suf- |
icicnt to reach rebates and similar al |
legged evils" said Tillman, "but since |
the investigation of rebates begun by |
Judson and Harmon at the instigation |
Of the executive came to such miser- |
able and pitiable fiasco, I am getting |
rather shaky as to the Sutficiency of |
that law. 1t certainly will prove fail
lre until the President stops protect |
ing cabinet officers and whitewashing |
them and until he does that there never |
will be anything accomplished under |
the law"
Il will not be diverted by reference |
TO single transaction in which the |
senator from South Carolina thinks the |
President fell short of his duty. If any,
ha 1o,1 ,,,1,,
cannot be blamed" answered Foraker.
Continuing, Foraker said:
81 am not going to vote for Tillman's |
bill I have only been throwing him a |
few bouquets
He said he had Il bill of his own
which he would explain within a few |
lays and could convince any unbiased |
mind of the wisdom of his measure. He
declared that the Tillman bill and many
others offered were unconstitutional !
because Congress had no right to dele |
gate to a commission the right to regu- |
late rates.
Then the supreme court is wrong on |
that point" asked 'Tllman.
Foraker declared that the supreme |
court had never expressed itself on this |
point He asserted that authorization |
nf the interstate commerce commission |
10 fix rates amounts to giving il lcgis- |
lativc functions.
Knox. the former attorney general, |
asked Foraker if the supreme court. in |
The case Of Field against Clark had not |
decided that Congress can lay down a |
certain rule and then authorize a COM
mission to apply this rule to s,ccific
ply.
Foraker said that in that case the
President was directed to act by prcc-
in an administrative way
whenever lie aScertaincd a certain state
Of facts to exist and that if did not |
amount to a delegation of legislative
powers.
Taking the floor again. TilIman re-
ferred to the discussion he had pro-
Vckcd.
with malice aforethoucht said
Srooner.
We'll. answered Tilman. II like to |
set ven lawyers by the ears ard ;nen
watch YOU pull each others wool"
The Nioc President then laid hefore |
the Senate thc-Panama canal appropr,-
alton bill. Alison asked that il ne 20
ferrcd to the committee On o,,,ro,,,;