New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-23
RATE TALK In SENATE
Leaders AlSo Engage IN a Political
Discussion.
From The Tribune Bureau

fTom The Tribune Bureall)
Washington, Jan 22.-A spirited colloquy oc-
CURED in the Senate to-day in the progress or
Senator Clay's speech on railroad rate legisla-
ton Having presented legal arguments in
favor Of the delegation Of the power to fix rates
to the Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr..
Clay appealed to the Republicans 70 support
such a measure. on the ground that the trend
Of popular sentiment was toward government
ownership. and that. unless provision for fed
eral supervision Of rates should be made. It
would be impossible to avoid imperative de-
mand for federal ownership. In support Of his
proposition the Senator from Georgia cited the
large vote Of William r. Hearst in the recent
election In New-York on a municipal ownership
platform. and declared that failure 10 enact
satisfactory rate legislation at this session Of
Congress would result in the domination by the
Democrats Of either Hearst or Bryan on a gov
eminent ownership platform
Senator Aldrich replied that il was a peculiar
performance for the Senator from Georgia him
self a Democrat to appeal to the Republicans TO
enact legislation in order to save the Democracy
from course which would be suicidal To del
egate to the Interstate Commerce Commission
the power TO fix rates without the action Of the
commission being subject to review by the
courts would. the Senator from Rhode Island
declared, be an infamous procedure.
A'SA4'SIOA Nldy utO-ditu lIldl NLlo AdilIOdu IdlS
policy not d party question. that it had
been advocated by a Republican President and
contained in Democratic national platform,
ana that il was legislation which commanded
the support of a large majority Of the people.
Mr.. Aldrich asked Mr.. Clay if complaints
would increase or decrease if the power to fix
rates were given to the commission The
opinion was expressed by Mr.. Clay that If the
power We're given majority Of disputes would
be settled by shippers and the roads, and com
plants would. therefore, be diminished in num-
Der. Mr.. Clay did not contend that Congress
had power to delegate authority to originate
laws but it had power to fix a basis and then
authorize a body Of its creation to develop the
details.
Mr. DoIliver interrupted to complain Of a
criticism Of himself IN the Washington CORE
Bpondence of a Philadelphia paper. in which 1t
was declared that "a snake had been discovered
IN the DOlliver rate BILL a trick by means OF
which the author Of the bill, who poses as a sup
porter Of the President, is seeking to emasCulate
the bill so that it will amount to nothing; Inc
provision to which reference is made is the sec
ton in the bill introduced by Mr.. Doliver which
provides that the commission by nnandamus pro
ceedings in the United States court may enforce
its orders. The provision was in addition TO the
penalty Of 5000 a day against the carrier
commission. Mr.. DOlliver declared the criticism
which might not comply with an order Of the
was an attack, not on himself alone, but on the
entire Senate, and that IL was stupid, uncalled
for and Hbellous." He said he had taken the
provision almost literally from the Interstate
Commerce Commission bill
When Mr.. Clay concluded Mr.. Adrich said:
Il was greatly interested in the prayer Of the
Senator that we this side should save the
Democratic party from Mr.. Hearsts doctrines
whereas the suggestions Of the Senator are in
support Of a bill introduced by Mr.. Hearst four
years ago"
Mr. Clay said that Mr.. Aldrich had misnter-
preted Mr. Hearst's bill and MI Bailey inter
rupted with the suggestion that Mr.. Clays re-
marks had been along the lines laid down by
the Republican President" Mr. Clay added that
the Republican President had adopted a plank
Of the Democratic platform
Mr.. Aldrich contended that Mr.. Hearst could
not be robbed of the credit for originating this
great 'panacea for the public Ills"
Does the Senator mean to say that the Re-
publican President got his scheme from Mr.
Hearst?" Mr. Bacon asked, and Mr. Bailey sug-
gested that Mr. Aldrtch and the President should
get together and agree q bill in the exact
words Of the President, which could be passed
without difficulty. Yet Mr.. Bailey admitted that
accomplishment than this. The Senator from
Rhode Island is nothing If not conservative the
President IS nothing II not emotional" he said
So far as Mr.. Hearst was concerned MI BafIev
said, he recognized that his policies were dis
tasteful to Mr.. Aldrich and his friends. On the
Democratic side some might accept and others
reject Mr.. Hearsts ideas.
Mr. AdriCh returned 10 the discussion OF Mr.
Hearst, saying that IN his position he so far
overshadows others that 1t was generally recog-
nized that he OF Mr.. Bryan must be the leader
Of his party IN the next campaign.
Now that the Senator has been so good as
TO tell us who VIII be the Democratic nominee
Will he add the information as TO who will be
the Republican nominee SIr. Bailey asked
amid laughter. and the Rhode Island Senator
replied that there was no consensus Of opinion
that point. He did not. however reply TO Il
later question from Mr. Bailey concerning the
newspaper report that the President was to be
PHILIPPINE