New-York tribune., 1906-03-28
RATE BILL AGREEMENT.
CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED.
Kaor 70 Speak IN Senate To-day
House WI Be IN Line.
IRON The Tribune Bureau. }

,rssbinzron. March 1.-THE Republican lead
5, the senate declined this afternoon TO ac-
..ss 10 the suggestion OF Senator TnIman that
. 5av be fixed for taking vote on the Railway
Rate biz. Senator TIlman's challenge was
-~sse in rather an offhand and defiant manner
.,5 failed to receive favorable consideration by
r,s opponents. The point is the Republican
,ss5srs are confident that II little more time is
,+rer theu they viii be able to reach an under
lending with responsible and influential Demo
~-ars and with members OF their own body for
occurrence upon the main amendments pro-
-osed in The bill This would mean, If the pro-
r-amue should be carried out the passage Of
+be Railroad Rate bill in amended form by q
bipartisan vote. yet with a sweeping Republi-
car majority
senator Aldrich, Senator Allison. Senator
crane Senator Knox, Senator Lodge and Sena-
ror spooner are OF the opinion that an agreement
upon an effective bill is very close at hand
Tbey think that the margin Of difference be-
tween the groups in the Senate is so narrow that
Il is possible 10 come together after very slight
discussions
I'VE are SO close together" said one Of these
Senator's to-day, that verify believe that If a
half dozen O. Us could get together in a room for
haE al hour We could draw up an amendment
which would receive the votes Of more than
nsre--e1tls OF the Senate. There are probably
6 few ir-econcilables who viii not agree TO any
t1ur except their own propositions. But more
han a majority Of the Senate Republicans and
Democrats are so close to agreement to-day that
i would take very little cooperation TO ef-
fect IT,
Senator Knox viii speak tomorrow. and his
discussion OF the legal problems involved in the
Bill IS counted upon 10y Republican leaders TO
have great weight in Influencing the opinion OF
Senator's Regardless Of politics. Senator Knox
Is looked upon as possessing one OF the greatest
eEal minds in the Senate. He has not only the
esteem Of his colleagues on both sides Of the
chamber. but their confidence as well. Demo
crs-- Senators do not overlook the fact that as
Attorney General Of the United States Mr.. Knox
prosecuted 10 successful finish the suit which
dissolved the Great Northern Securities merger
which achievement was regarded as a notable
victory for the people against corporate COM
bl1z-.0ls-
Senator Knox possesses the faculty in high
degree OF presenting ideas in clear and concise
English and can make legal proposition plain
O. "a Iay-nau. Senator TiIlman prides himself
urru his "cornfeId law" He insists that com
mon sense" is better than legal refinement Sen
s-0r Knox has the ability To elucidaIe legal
-eE-er-euLs" 10 common sense" understanding.
-~llr1Aur u-0D a dav for reaching q vote
probably viii not be arrived at until Senator
Bailey returns from the sad mission Of burying
h.s aged fatheT- Senator Bailey is the acting
leader ~ the minority, and the Republicans
would not feel disposed 70 make hard and
fast agreement In his absence II is evident 70
The leaders that @ brood spirit on compromise
v-LL necessarily enter into the final disposition
~ the bill President Roosevelt for the present
81 holding alo0f from the efforts 10 reach a
COMPROMISE. His views are well known and
he IS not trying 10 influence Senators in their
conclusions He has said that all he wants Is
an effective measure Of legislation and that is
what Republicans and Democrats are striving
10 make.
no doubt IS entertained that the House viii
ACCEPT bin framed by the concurrent efforts OF
the leading men in the Senate
As soon as the Railroad Rate bill IS out Of the
way The remaining measures u legislation at
issue between the two bodies VIII be speedily
vrhfuDed into shape FOR concurrence
A statehood biL II IS confidently asserted by
The leaders ir both branches viii be enacted, and
the Philippine Tariff bin win be acted upon
definitely, favorabIv OF otherwise