The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-22
WON I ELIMINATE
HIS VETO POWER.
President Has Card Up His
Sleeve That Doesn't Nccessi-
tate Railroad Rate Worry.
THE COMMITTEE FREE
(By Associated press.)

WASHINGTON, d. c., February I'll
When the Senate Committee on Inter-
state Commerce meets on Friday, 10
nouncement will be made authoritatively
that President Roosevelt Will not attempt
10 prevent amendment OF the Hepburn
bill; that he will leave the committee
free toBexercise Its best Judgment and
IL possible compromise its differences;
that If q bill Is reported which does not
meet his approval, and IN that form is
passed by Congress, he will content him
self TO exercise his veto power. This
announcement will be made as the re-
suit of a conference to-day between the
President and the most active persons
supporting the House bill without amend
ment, but will be delivered TO the COM
mittee by a senator who has supported
an amendment providing for judicial re-
view of an order of the Interstate COM
merce commission.
The conference at the White House is
enc of many that have been held there
in the last week for a discussion of the
railroad rate question. 1t was attended
by Senator's Dollver and Clapp, Speaker
Cannon, Representative Hepburn and
Attorney General Moody. They had I'M
der consideration an amendment said to
have been drafted by Senator Knox and
revised by the attorney-general. The
draft in its revised form, however, is
said not to be satisfactory to It's author.
1t was offered in spirit of compromise
and the President and encouragement
desired to know whether it would be ac-
ceptable to the members Of Congress
who are making eight to prevent the
adoption of any amendment which they
hpliava would Interfere with tho /.
tion OF the measure they purpose to
enact into law.
Provides Courts Review.
Briefly stated the amendment aims to
give r to any complainant authority
to file petition in a Circuit
Court asserting that a rate fixed
by the commission was in fact illegal,
or that an order of the commission was
in reality unlawful, and authorizes tho
court to hear the suit to decide whether
the commission acted within It's authority,
and whether the constitutional rights OF
the plaintiff had been violated.
After Senators Doliver and Ciapp re-
turned to the Capitol. they told certain
committee on Friday, and make firm
stand to have the bill reported without
amendment. When asked concerning the
attitude of the President, they said they
believed he is satisfied With the bill as 1t
stands, but that II was too much TO
say he is opposed to any amendment
whatever. The President was described
by them as ready to consider any amend
ment that might be offered and willing
to listen to any proposition up TO the
| time the bill is placed on It's final pas
sage,
Conservative members of the committee
assert that they have the necessary votes
to amend the Hepburn bill, II they arc
left free TO exercise their individual judy
| ment so that they will not be put In
the position of opposing the Presidents
! policy. Under these conditions 1t Is said
that Senators Elkins Foraker Crane,
Kenn. Aldrich, Carmack, Foster and Mn
I.nurin. will vote for an amendment pro-
vidlns for judicial review. Seven votes
| IS n majority OF the cummttee,