The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-14
TO FORCE RATE LEGISLATION.
ACTIVITY AMONG CONGRESSMEN
VINO FAVOR IT.
They Are Encouraged by tho Presidents
Declaration That lie WIZ Can an xtra
Session OF the New Congress II tho
Present Congress Does Not Act.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 3-Encouraged by
the declaration Of the President that he
will call an extra Gession OK the Fifty-ninth
Congress II some railway rate legislation
l. not enacted at the present session the
Congressman in favor Of such legislation
were very active to-day In advocating i'm
mediate action. They managed TO create
quite a stir, and made much OF a new pro-
position 70 have the Senate put rate regu.
lation measure on one Of the appropriation
bills as rider. The greatest argument
put forth by the advocates of rate legs.
lation was that. II Congress did not do what
the President wanted before March 4. he
would make good hi8 word to call an extra
session. Congress is umld about extra
sessions. and the argument caused much
thought and considerable discussion.
Members OF the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee OF the House who
favor radical action on the subject at this
session learned this evening with great
who has been opposed TO hurried icgls-
lation Of this character, had completed
the bill upon which he had been working
and would present it in a few days.
The Hepburn measure. who IS very
similar 70 what Is known "a the Sawyer
bill drafted by Richard Olney. then At
torney- General, ten years ag5 will pro-
pose the creation Of a United States Court
of Commerce, composed OF one member
from each OF the nine judicial districts
As heretofore stated. II proposes that the
membership OF the Interstate Commerce
Commits sion shall be nine instead OF Ave
under the present law. The commls-
sion will have the power TO fix rates, subject
10 review by the courts.
Twenty days will be allowed for fling
appeals. If an appeal is not taken the
ruling Of the commission shall remain in
force for year Mr. Hepburn's interest
in the matter is accepted as a favorable
sign by those who want railway rate bill
as3ad. Heretofore he has been regarded
as an unrelenuug Antagonist OF interstate
commerce legis alton. Present indications
are that the House immittee will report
a bill within thirty days. The mea ure
will be a composite one. representing feat
ures Of all the pending bills. out In the main
following the recommendations OF the
Pros rant
Among the more conservaf i've leaders the
propos ion to delay &C ion until the whole
rate que 81 ION had been thorou ghly xamined
by a competent legislative commission
finds tho greatest amount OF favor, and IL
is evident that strong effort will be made
TO induce tho President to abandon his In
tent ion TO call an extra session, IN he under
u anding that the subject viii be inves-
tisated during the recess and commission
charged wi h this duty will be ready 10 sub
mi recomme ndai ions when he Fifty.ninth
Congress asse mbles in d oember.
The subject OF railway rate legislation
has gone hand in hand with that OF tariff
revision. and the revisionists do not intend
to allow them to become separated. In
spite Of the great show of force made by
the Republican Stand Patters, under the
leadership OF Speaker Cannon, the revision
lists will not accept rs final the expressed
willingness OF the President 10 be guided by
the continent Of Congress and they were
active to-day in asserting that ii an extra
session IN called 10 consider the rate Ques-
ton the revision legislation will be taken up
also at that session. The reWsionists have
assumed however, that the Senate Repub-
Leans are heartily In sympathy with them
and will endeavor TO persuade the President
that ne should take their sentiments into
consideration.
This is u mistaken assumption The
Senate eaders, with one exception, hold
a negative and neutral position on the
hject They believe that from business
point Of view revision is not necessary.
but II the people think it is II would be
unwise party policy 10 refuse 70 give them
what they desire in the way OF tariff read
justment As the House Republicans have
declared overwhelmingly against tariff
legislation. tho Senate leaders we're willing
to let well enough alone and are perfectly
satisfied 10 permit tho judgment Of the
House stand as the judgment Of tho
cou 1try and the Republican party.
The Indiana Republican delegation met
to-day and by vote OF q 10 3 d cded
against tariff revision. More significant,
however was the unanimous declaration
Of the delegation in favor or railway rate
legislation. The Representatives who de-
sire to effect legislation OF this character
a this session are making the most Of the
Ha1a ftopta action