The Washington times., 1906-02-23
Result of Disagreement
With President and
Moody.
NOT R0OSEVELT'S PLAN
He FavorS Hepburn Measure,
Which Is Honeycombed
With Amendments.

Senator Knox's bill for the regulation
of interstate commerce. which he intro
duced yesterday as a solution Of the
railroad rate problem. is not an Admin
istration measure, as has been asserted,
and does not represent the views Of
President Roosevelt, especially with re
gard TO its court review feature.
This statement is made upon the high
est authority.
Instead of voicing the Presidents SEN
timents, Mr.. Knox stands for course
Of procedure that the President has
turned down IT is understood that
the reason Senator Knox introduced his
bill is found in the fact that Attorney
General Moody suggested certain
changes in the amendment to the Hep
burn bin. which Mr.. Knox brought 10
thc White House a few days ago, and
which the President referred TO The
Attorney General. Had the President
and Attorney General Moody agreed to
the amendment in question. Mr.. Knox
would not have offered the bill iu the
Senate yesterday.
Knox Waxed Wroth.
Tt is understood that Mr. Knox left
The White House in very warm frame
of mind, declaring that rather than al
low his amendment TO be edited by tbe
Attorney General he would father none
III all. But as ne was anxious to make
public his Views on the great question.
he decided to incorporate them in a bill
which in lis entirety he knew would
have slim chance OF getting through.
il is said that the Introduction of Mr..
kuoXs bill was as much Of a surprise
TO the President as It was TO the mem
bers Of the Senate.
The President still believes that the
Hepburn bin, as passed by the House,
meets most Of the requirements Of
the situation. and at the same time
provides proper protection for the rail-
roads. He is not opposed to such
amendment TO the bin as would make
more clear the manner in which the
judicial review of the orders OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission may
be had, but he is opposed TO the in
sertion OF any features that would IN
vOIve long and tedious litigation. He
IS particularly opposed to the bond
feature, as Incorporated IN Senator
knoN's bill, by which an original
freight rate Would be restored, and the
new rate substituted by the commits
sion put on side track until final ad-
JudiCation by the United states Sup
RENE Court.
Would Make Complications.
This would make unnecessary COM
plications, and would require the ship
peTs TO so into court. should the final
decision be in their favor, to show
how much money in the case of each
shipment should be refunded to them.
The President wants any rate estab-
lished by the commission TO remain in
effect without suspension in any man
Uer, until the courts shall have finally
decided upon its legality.
The crucial period in the consideration
Of railroad rate legislation by the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee was
reached this morning. According TO
agreement the committee met at 1880
o'clock to begin the final work Of per
fcCting the measure, which IL VIII re-
port 10 the Senate.
The bill which is under consideration
IS the Hepburn bill as il came from the
House. There are more than a hundred
amendments pending, all of which are to
be voted upon today, if il is physical
possibility TO do SO The desire is to
may be reported TO the Senate when IL
meets again Monday morning
or the hundred or more amendments
that have been offered in committee.
providing means for 4 proper judicial re-
View Of decisions on railroad rates made
by the Interstate Commerce Commission,
when such decisions shall appear to be
unreasonable or unlawful.
Came From Big Five.
These have come principally from the
Big Five" Senators Elkins. Aldrich.
Kean, Foraker. and Crane. members of
the committee. They have, however.
agreed TO abandon the propositions they
have submitted on this question. and to
accept the plan proposed by Senator
Knox, In his bill introduced yesterday,