Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-22
ELKINS DECLARES IT SHEER
lMP0SSlBILITY
TIME TOO LIMITED FOR TASK
Most Important Economic Question
Of the Day Cannot BE Disposed
of Without Full Dis
cussion

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.--When the
senate convened today Mr.. Carmack, a
member Of the committee on interstate
commerce, presented petition for
railroad rate legislation. Mr. Berry
Immediately asked as to the prospect
for railroad rate legislation. Mr.. Car
mack gave place to Mr.. Elkins, chair
man of the committee, to make reply.
Mr.. Elkins said.
"The bill passed by the house reached
the senate several days ago. During
that time the senate has had almost
continuous sessions, but only one friend
of the railroads has been heard. The
committee has given the best atten-
tion possible to the bill, but there has
been no time to consider the amend
ments and there are several believed
to be important. No decision as to an
effort to pass the bill this session has
been reached, but it would seem that
there is very little prospect of that
result before adjournment, with only
ten days of the session left, and with
much other imperative business to be
performed. 1t would hardly seem
probable that the most important
economic question of the day could be
disposed of in so short time, espec-
tally in view of the fact that only one
side of the question has so far been
presented to the committee"
Bryan's AbIest Lieutenant
Mr. Carmack, member of the COM
mttee on interstate commerce, said
that he could assure the senate that
all of the committee are actuated by
a keen desire to execute at the earliest
possible moment the promises made by
the president of the United States and
through the medium of the domestic
platform, and added that "it is our de-
sire to be guided in this matter by the
president. Indeed he added II may
go farther and say, knowing the chair
man of the committee will correct me
if l am wrong, that l am authorized to
inform the senate that all the men,
bers recogfinize in the president the
foremost disciple and the ablest lieu
tenant of William ]. Bryan"
Object to Government Ownership
Ex- Senator Higgins finished his pre-
liminary statement in opening the de-
fense for Judge Swayne, one witness
for Judge Swayne was examined, and
the senate then began consideration of
the bill for the government of the
Isthmian canal zone.
Senators Teller and Bailey took ex-
ception to the provision authorizing
the use of the rentals of the Panama
railroad in constructing the canal
without first turning them into the
treasury and the bill was amended so
as to meet the objection. Mr. Bailey
also objected to the acquisition of the
Panama railroad by the government,
but said that If the government really
wanted the road it should be con-
demned outright.
Mr.. Teller also expressed the opinion
that the ownership of the Panama rail-
road would be construed as a prece-
dent for government ownership, and
said that the ownership by the govern
ment of all the railroads of the United
States would present condition
"friQhtful IN contamfIateD
The bill was not completed, and it
was arranged that the senate would
meet at o'clock tomorrow and, after
reading Washingtons farewell address,
resume it's consideration.