Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-05-18
IN THE SENATE.

Aisle from few minutes devoted to the
reception of the Allison amendments to the
railroad rate bill and Il half-hour given TO
routine business, the Senate on the Sth de
voted its entire session to an Intellectual
consideration Of the Elkins amendment pro
hibitng common carriers from engaging in
mining coat or the production of other com
mOditipS in competition with shippers.
Great confusion arose rs to the exact sub
jeCt before the house owing to the number
of substitutes for amendments to the orig
inal amendment offered. At 3 p. IN. ad-
journmcnt until the next day was taken
The Senate on the 9th made considerable
progress with the railway rate bill An
amendment formally offered by Mr.. ElkinS,
but originally suggested by Mr.. McLauriu,
diyorcing the production of coal and other
commodities from their transportation, was
adopted 10y n vote of CT to g. Other amend.
ments accepted included the following: Re
curing carriers to put In switches for ship
pers on reasonable terms; including sleep
ing car and express companies in the opera
tons of the bill; compelling carriers to give
equally good service and likn accommoda-
lions to all persons paying the same com
pensation for Interstate transportation of
passengers. An amendment by Mr. La Fol
lctte giving the commission jurisdiction
over the long and short haul question was
lost p to 46. Adjournment until next day
was taken.
The Senate on the 10th completed the con
sderation of the second section of the rail
road rate bill. and just before adjournment
listened to the reading of sections 3 ana 4,
without considering any amendments Of
fered to them. Several important changes
were made in the second article. including
n provision imposing penalty of fine ana
imprisonment against shippers who secure
rebates from transportation companies. An
other amendment adopted gives the govern
ment business preference over all other
traffic in time of war. There was continu-
GUS debate throughout the day, and there
was no little complaint that senators mani
tested a disposition to increase the time
allowed them under the fifteen minute rule.
The Senate adjourned until the next day.
Senator Bailey's amendment to the rail
way rate bill, on the 18th, providing that
the orders of the interstate commerce com
mission are not to be suspended by the
inferior United States courts, was defeated
in the Senate by an almost strictly party
vote of % to 81. An amendment offered by
Mr. Rayner combining court review to con
stitutional questions also was rejected, as
were n number of other amendments sub
mitted by Democrats or by Mr.. La Toilette.
The only amendments accepted during the
session were those offered by Mr.. Allison,
striking out the phrase fairly rcmunera-
tive in the provision allowing the com
mprce commission to fix rates; limiting the
operations of orders Of the commission 10.
two years, and making the commerce com
mission the defendant i'll suits challenging
the rates fixed by It. Adjournment until
the next day was taken ut $50 p. III.
The rate bill occupied the entire time
of the Senate on the 18th. Senator Tillman
made a statement detailing his and Senator
Bailey's negotiations with the President
Oh the SUBJECT. iulS WIS lOlloNtu ny ii
speech by Mr.. Bailey, vigorously attacking
the President. Senator Carter entered n
vigorous defense, and Mr. Lodge cOntr0-
verted some of the utterances Of Mr.. Till
man. The discussion of the Allison amend
mcnt was completed, and the amendment
accepted. At p. IN. the Senate adjourned
until IL o'clock Monday.
The rate bill was under consideration
practically during the entire session of the
Senate on the 14th the time being largely
devoted to the rejection of amendments
either by direct vote or by laying on the
table. When the Senate adjourned at 5:l5
p. m. the eighth section of the measure,
regulating the personnel Of the interstate
commerce commission, was under considera-
ton. Senator Lodge offered q new section
providing for new commission of nine
members, but indicated q willingness to
accept a modification suggested by Senator
Bailey for the creation OF nine Transports
ton districts with one member from each
of them. Adjourned to next day.