The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-02-27
RATE BILL
In SENATE
Hepburn Bill Offered by Till
man Without Incident
STATEMENT BY ALDRICH
Explains Act Of the Republicans on the
committee--He Believes the Bill
Should Have Had proper
Amendment
STATEMENT BY ALDRICH

Washington, d. O., Feb. Ex-senator
Tiilman presented in the Senate yester-
day the Hepburn railroad rate bin from
the committee on interstate commerce,
and announced that within two weeks
he would submit a report on the meas
Iurc.
majority Of the Republican members Of
the committee, made a brief statement
which received the close attention Of
senators. He assured the senator from
South Carolina that no obstruction
would be placed in the way OF a vote
ON the bill, but that ii ought TO lave
the fullest and most careful examina.
ton ana consideration il the Senate.
Senator Iulberson OF Texas offered
his rate bill As a substitute for the Till
man. Hepburn measure, and It was Ie.
Tered to the interstate commerce COM
mittee
The Senate floor and galleries were
crowded with an expectant audience
but the presentation Of the Hepburn
bill took only few minutes and there
was no special incident attending 1t
outside Of Mr.. Aldrich's brief statement.
On Mr.. Tillman's desk lay an impos-
ing pile OF documents the records OF
the hearings OF the interstate commerce
commission on the general subject of
government regulation Of railroad rates.
Sitting beside him was Mr.. Bailey, the
recognized minority leader In tho alb
senee OF Mr.. German, and the two sena-
stors conferred earnestly Mr. Tillman
decided, however, that he was not pre-
pared to make a formal report, and that
1t would he more effective simply to re-
port the bill in accordance with the re-
solution adopted by the committee
which provides that the members arc
left free 10 exercise individual judgment
concerning amendments that may be
offered in the Senate.
Mr. Tillman announced that he had
been instructed by the committee on
interstate commerce to report the bill
without amendment, and he read the
resolution adopted. After a discussion
concerning the printing OF the testimony
taken by the committee, and order wa
made for the publication of 10000
copies. Mr.. Tillmau gave notice that
he would press the bin TO the earliest
consideration. He said that much oI
the testimony taken was irrelevant
and the committee had employed twC
experts, Messrs, Newcoinb and Adams
and they had made an epitome Of th'
Testimony, which also was printed.
"A majority Of the Republican mem
befs of the committee did not join il
the favorable report which has just beer
made by the senator from South Caro-
ina, for the reason that in their judg
ment an attempt should have been made
| by the committee TO remedy by propei
amendments some of the obvious and ad
mitted defects and omissions OF thu
House bill. and that clear and adequat'
provision should have been made for sub
jeeting the orders of the commission az
| feeting rates to judicial review.
| They believed that these amendments
were not only necessary TO protect TIN
rights Of all the parties in interest, bu
that they were essential to the VITALITY
and efficiency Of the measure. Wit
these amendments the minority mem
bers, with the possible exception OF tn
senator from Ohio, who is opposed, a
understand, to all government rate
making, were ready TO give their sup
port 70 the House bill.
beg to assure the senator in charg
of the bill that the opponents Of th
measure in its present form viii asl
for no unnecessary delays IN its consid
GRAFTON. The legislation proposed is o
such a character that the most earefu
examination of its provisions, and tn
fullest discussion. Of its terms will b
necessary. But beyond this no at
tempt will be made TO prolong the de
bate"
While Mr.. Aldrich was speaking b
mentioned the senator from Ohio as
"possible exception and Mr. Forake
linterposed saying actual exception
Is Nh Culberson said he noticed tina
certain members of the committee re
served the right to offer amendments.
"'rhe senator is not entirely correc
in his abatement" interrupted Mr.. Till
man. "The resolution was adopted b
the committee and all members hay
reserved rights concerning the olferin
OF amendments
swell, then said Mr.. CuIberson,
take 1t that In large degree. the CON
lmittee's action is no more or no les
than q transfer OF controversy fror
the committee TO the Senate chamber
Therefore, offer a substitute for th
bill Just reported his substitute is !
effect the bill on the same subject whie
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