The Washington times., 1906-02-03
LIVE INTEREST
IN RATE DEBATE
Hepburn Bill Will Probably
Come to Vote Wednesday.
OTHER MEASURES On CALL
Important Questions Will Confront
Both Houses of Congress for the
Next Two Weeks.
OTHER MEASURES On CALL

Although the passage OF the railroad
rate bin I'm the House next week is a
foregone conclusion. the closing days Of
the debate will furnish moments Of
thrilling interest. a number OF note
worthy speeches are yet to be delivered
and Representative Hepburn OF Iowa,
author of the measure now under con-
sideration, will close the debate for the
Republica IS.
He will devote himself to some extent
to replying 10 the addresses delivered in
opposition 10 the bill. notably those OF
Representative Mccall of Massachusetts
and Sibley of Pennsylvania He will en-
deayOr TO bring the general debate TO a
close at ? o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and
the discussion will then continue on the
presentation OF amendments under The
uVe-mtnute rule.
II is the intention of the managers OF
the bill, both on the Republican and the
Democratic sides TO defeat every
amendment offered, no matter how
meFttOrtOus, or the ground that the
Hepburn bin embodies the best thought
OF the House on the great question, and
that Ii presents a solution upon which
their way clear to advancing ii single
sep farther. Il Is the expectation Of the
leaders that a vote Will be reached late
Wednesday afternoon, although il is
possible that IL may be deferred unth
thursday. Although there is practical
unanimitY on the bill, a record vote Will
be had. and there Will be scarcely a
score OF adverse votes
Other Bills on Call.
The remaining days Of the week will be
devoted TO legislation on appropriation
t;Ils. The pension bill will probably be
taken up first, 10 be followed by the
fortihcations bill The army appropria-
Jion bill will also be ready for the
House.
The Senate leaders expect TO bring
the ship subsidy bill 10 a vote next
week. There is little doubt that when
this happcns the Dill will be passed by o
fair majority. This does not, however
mean that IL VIII become u law, for the
understanding is that IT will fail in the
House.
During its consideration in the Senate
the bill mas been materially amended. b.
order 10 meet objections raised.
In It's present shape il makes no pro-
vision for substituting ocean grey
hounds, and, IN fact the whole problem
OF stimulating American shipping in the
North Atlantic has been reiesated 10
some future legislation. The proposed
Increased payments 10 the ships OF tht
American line, over ana above what
they receive fer carrying the mails, has
been stricken out and yhe bin is de-
voted principally TO the upbuilding OF
lines of moderate speeding, cargO-car-
Tylng, ships sailing 10 South American
and Pacific ports. The sections OF the
original bill which proposed TO raise the
tonnage dues on foreign ships entering
American harbOrs, thereby creating Il
fund from which TO meet pat OF the
expenses of the new subsidies. have
been stricken out on the ground that
ne 70 re-
fore originate in the House. Senator
Gailinger hopes that they viii be re-
stored 10 the bill in that body.
Debate on Statehood.
AS soon as the subsidy bill has been
disposed OF IN the Senate. the Statehood
)iii Will be taken up and made the reg
lar order of business every afternoon
he Old night will then be renewed. with
enator Foraker leading in behalf OF
le adoption of his amendment TO allow
riZona and New Mexico TO vote sepa-
tely on the question OF their union
20 one State. The debate will likely
n for several weeks. Senator BeV-
dge is still confident OF the final pas
90 of the bill, but others of the Re
llican leaders express doubts as Il
outcome.
he pure food bill will receive consid
lion during the week, and In eXecu
session. the treaty With Cuba, con
ling that republics title TO the lsl'
Pines, will be discussed
x hearings in the case OF Senator
I Smoot of Utah. on the question
her, as a high official OF the Nor
church, he can retain his seat II
Senate because of the alleged con
between his oath 10 the church and
sth 10 the nation, will be continued
De Committee on Privileges an,
Hons beginning next Tuesday
y Lawrence. J. Holgrem, Prof
Nm w Wolf Of the Brigham
y University: W. T. Thomas anC
Cls Smurthwaite. ali of Utah, hav'
bealled as Witnesses. They are eX
pc 10 give the committee mos
uea and precise information than j
heretofore obtained regarding tht
ennent ceremony. and the Oathi
Ia v the candidates
Nher Senator SmoOt will want 4
cal Illnesses in Tebuttal viii be de
ter1d later. Further arguments by
cou will then be heard in conclud
ing case. John G. Carlisle appear
ing the pTotestants. and Attorney
Wolgton for Smoot. and Chairman
BuTB will then ask the committee
10 d whether, on the evidence pre-
senSmOot should be expelled.
AIR interesting hearing will bi
thatpre the Senate committee inves
ugatPanamst Canal affairs. Chair
man nts, OF the Canal Commission
VIII recalled for few question,
Woodworking. and IN the Afternoon
or t9'.y, and for two or three days
artery. former Chief Engineer Wal
lace bc under examination. II,
VIII bnly be asked aobut the re
sponsiy for the conditions whici
eXiste the isthmus under his man
agemebut will be permitted 10 ex
plain faaSOns which induced him n