The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-26
COOPER FEARS A
RATE BILL PLOT
Expression of Fears in House
Causes a Lively Tilt with
Hepburn.


Hepburn.
Journal Special Service.
Washington, May 26.-Treachery on
the part Of the house conferees in
dealing with the railway rate bill is
even by the republicans. That
underhanded juggling is expected by
them was shown in the house yesterday,
when Representative Cooper of Wiscon-
sin openly charged that an agreement
has been made between Chairman Hep
burn and Senator Aldrich to eliminate
the express company clause and other
amendments added by the senate.
The feeling of suspicion which has
existed in the public for a week or
more was not allayed when Speaker
Cannon announced as the conferees on
Representative James H. Sherman Of
New York, chairman of the republican
congressional campaign committee, and
Representative Richardson Of Ala
bama. s~.
The Conferees.
: Colonel Hepburn is an avowed oppo-
nent Of the legislation affecting express
companies, and Representative Sherman
as chairman of the republican con-
gressional campaign committee, will
have to raise campaign funds this year.
Mr.. Sherman has been only an occasion
al attendant at the meetings of the
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce during the framing of the
rate bill, and then only when his vote
yxy0C IaI INV Il Il IL
committee. Representative Richardson
regulation, and will do all he can to
keep the senate bill intact.
AS soon as the house representative,
Dalzell Of the committee on rules, re-,
ported a special rule sending the rate
bill to conference, the previous ques-
ton was ordered by vote Of 1872 to 83,
the republican members all voting to
sustain the committee on rules.
After the opening statement had been
made by. Mr.. Dalzell, Representative
Cooper Of Wisconsin, who is chairman
of the committee on insular affairs
one Of the most conservative and up.
right men in the house, and himself
the author Of several railway rate reg
ulation bills, secured the floor to ask
question.
Cooper for Instant Vote.
why not vote now to instruct the
conferees?' Mr.. Cooper asked. HWhy
sent the bill to conference where we
lose control of it, It would be better
IT, we instructed the conferees now in
relation to the express company amend
ment and several others.''
Great applause not only from the
democrats but the republicans greeted
| this statement.
eve cannot single out certain
| amendments to be voted on,'' Mr.. BAL
1e Sai IT, By this method we expedite
~ have been informed" said Mr.
cooper; slowly, and with emphasis, "b3
a gentleman in whose word I place i'm
pllcit confidence that it has been agreed
by member Of this house, who by rea
son of his official position in This house
Will, be a member of the committee OF
| conference and gentleman at til,
other end Of the capital, that Insofar a.
the express company amendment is con
S Germ It will &C, out. They were over
-, Mr.. Cooper made this statement de
hberately and with much earnestness.
MI. Hepburn Of Iowa jumped to hi
feet, ,exclaiming that he did not tax
any stock in what one member said +
ANOTHER on matters Of this kind.
VIII you state the names Of tn
persons who have thus declared them
se!Xes9,o called out Mr.. Hepburn.
Mr; Cooper-Oh,, I don't want t
offend, especially the gentleman fro1
Iowa. w.
Mr.. Hepburn-Oh, you can't often
me by answering that question.
Mr.. Cooper will saw this. thu
they were two gentlemen in whose wor
J. have confidence.
Mr.. Hepburn Cloudly)-Name then
Wouldn't Give Names.
Mr.. Cooper: IT am not going t
matters in confidence. The gentlema
from Iowa places me in an embarras,
ing position, but since he asks me
Will say that he is said to have r,
marked in conversation, ooh, the q,
press company amendment will 9
MI. Hepburn, greatly wrought up an
exceedingly nervous, replied: can
m 9aan who tod the gentleman tbs
falsehood, and until the gentlema
from WISCONSIN names the individu:
who made this statement to him I aha
hold that the gentleman is drawin
upon his imagination.
Mr.. Williams-I call the gentlems
, from Iowa to order for his languae
MIR. Hepburn withdraw the la
guage which is offensive to the ge
tleman from Mississippi.
| Mr.. Williams-It was not offensi,
to me. It was offensive to the hon
| and contrary to the rules.
L 49,. Excitement Intense.
| Intense excitement prevailed duri,
this exchange Of words. memh he
crowding the aisles and filiinr Il
space in front Of the speak er's des
The speaker pounded for order. but
no purpose. ~, ..l-- -,
When he gould be heard above q
uproar Mr., Cooper said that he W
not the only gentleman to whom sir,
| Lar statements were made. stThere a
other members Of the house to who
they have been made and there is
purpose, no object on my part, {
| liberattely to misrepresent that stat
/ Mr.. Hepburn-why don't Won q
who it was who told YOU thafs .
/ Mr.. Cooper responded by saving III
he could not understand whv the Or
tleman asked the question unless
had heard the rumor going round.
/ position and I had to tell Won WI
was told to me. And told the tru,
and this is the first time that
man on earth has accused me Of teIli
falsehood. The statement was made
me in confidence and concerned /
I gentleman from Iowa, and I thereto
The Vote.