New-York tribune., 1905-11-23
RATE BILL FOR SENATE.
TIE COMMITTEES WORK.
Measure in Line 1cith Presidents
Viescs To Be Reported.

--.sb,neton, Nov. 22-Raiiroad rate making
orain considered by the Senate Committee
= interstate Commerce to-day. but in an IN
s.-r,a1 vav. as no measure has yet been pre-
.r en- the committee. Views were expressed
=. x.,sr-aI members which indicated a sharp d.
.a,on so far as the situation has developed
s+ere is the further Indication that majority
:, -. committee will favor a measure giving
a. Interstate Commerce Commission more
-r-s- which means control over rates In some
-, II seems to be understood that three Re
-,,,,,ca1s and enough Democrats favor such
,.,4e,s.or. thus making certain that rate max
,,e bir1 will he reported.
1,for.nql discussions among. Republican mem
.-s of the committee show that anprehenefon IS
s.,+ +ba+ II bill should he renorted by Repub-
r,sns and Democrats against the wish OF ma
.or,tv Of the Republican members II would ere
ate q division in the party that viii work dis
sster in the future The Republicans who favor
rate making legislation assert that the way to
avoid a rupture Is 10 support a conservative
measure IN line with the recommendations Of the
President. Some of the opponents of the bill
giving the commission power over rates
messed the hope after the adjournment Of the
meeting to-day that when the views of the
President have been set forth an agreement can
can be reported and passed without much fric-
ton.
AT future meetings. beginning tomorrow. each
member Of the committee will have an oppor-
tunity to present his views in REGULAR order. In
the discussion to-day Senator Foraker expressed
the opinion that il would be sufficient to meet
the present situation II the Interstate Commerce
Commission should be authorized to take cog
nizance Of complaints, and bring suits to en-
force the laws in the United States courts, and
that an district attorneys be empowered to
prosecute such cases. Senator Dolliver said he
believed that the movement for control OF
rates had gone far that legislation short
Of giving such power to some tribunal of the
government would not be satisfactory Other
members of the committee expressed opinions on
various phases of the proposed legislation. but
definite declarations were generally withheld
Three members of the committee have not ar
rived in the city. They are expected tomorrow
or early next week Senator Aldrich went to
New-York after the meeting to-day. and will
return Monday.
Senator Newlands. after the committee ad-
jouTned to-day, said:
have no doubt that measure for railroad
regulation providing for the prompt determine
ton Of rates where disputes arise between ship
pers and communities. on the one hand. and the
session. But I look for prolonged consideration
both in the committee ard the Senate, and the
public viii probably impatient over the delay.
Individually. I believe in comprehensive action
on the whole question of transportation by means
Of a national Incorporation act covering the in
CORPORATION OF companies, well as the con-
soldafion Of old guarding strictly against over
capitalization preferences rebates and discrni-
majors and compelling automatic but gradual
reduction IN rates the total business of the
country Increases by p limitation OF dividends.
Such legislation would put the railroads out of
politics, State ard national. would protect the In
sTest Of investor ana simmer sliEe and would
which have given the best railroad system in
the world
We shonld do with the ahsurdity OF per-
mitting the States to charter carriers for inter
state commerce Three-fourfh hs OF the transDorta-
ton Of the country is Interstate, and interstate
commerce Is clearly intrusted by Constitution
20 the national government IT is illogical that
forty-fve lesser sovereignties should create the
machines that to do the business Of the greater
sovereignty