Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-16
DEADLOCK ON THE RATE BILL
Democratic Members of Committee
Say Measure They support Must
ne Adequate.

WASHINGTON, Feb. disagreement to
vote on a railroad rate bill tomorrow in
the senate committe on interstate COM
merce is an issue that neither faction on
the question OF judicial review of orders
Of the Interstate Commerce commission
seems inclined TO force. Neither knows
the strength of the other and democratic
members of the committee are unquestion-
ably the balance of power. Neither of the
republican factions has issued formal
statement setting forth the differences. but
the democrats in an authorized statement
from Senator Bailey have made II clear
that ain adequate bill" must be reported
or the minority will have a measure of
its own. In this statement. however, IL
is admitted that the democrats are di-
vided on the question of judicial review.
The members OF the COMMITTEES insisting
upon an amendment to the house bill
Senators Elkins, Aldrich, Foraker. Kean
and Crane--do not believe the amendments
providing for any change in the court fea-
lures OF the bill can be voted upon to-
morrow. Senators Dolliver and Clapp, the
champions of the house bill in its present
form, are not disposed to insist upon a
vote. They desire to have Senator Cullom
paired against the amendment. but the
conservative faction will not permit this.
II the vote IL postponed. as seems likely,
Senator Cullom may return to washing
ton before a vote is taken. Different re-
ports are circulated concerning his posi-
ton. the conservatives admitting the claim
that he is against am amendment that
would suspend an order of the commits.
sion pending in the courts. but insisting
that he is not opposed to a more moderate
! amendment.
The positions will be outlined clearly TO-
morrow, even though a vote is not OBJ.
tanned.
Late tonight Il was stated that so far
no agreement has been reached on any
amendment, despite the fact that numerous
conferences have been held during the day
between the president, members of the
cabinet and the senator's to prepare a COM
promise draft. Senator Aldrlch, Senator
Allison and Secretary Taft conferred with
the president today concerning the alleged
| necessity of an amendment providing for
judicial review. The secretary OF war ha.
Joined forces with conservative senators In
| declaring that such an amendment is re-
| quired to make the bill constitutional
Attorney General Moody does not agree
TO this. 1t is said that the president an
hounced today that he would like to sec
sibmit 1t to the attorney general before he
endorses any proposition to amend the
house bill.
Senator Bailey, who is the minority floor
leader in the absence OF Senator German
| today explained the attitude of democratic
senators. He said that IL bill Is pre-.
scented By the republicans which in the
opinion OF the democrats Is adequate "a
meet the demands of the situation. the
democrats both on the committee and in
the senate, will support 1t. In the event
OF division of the republicans the demo.
Gratis Will support the bill presented b,
the faction offering that which comes near,
est to meeting the demands of the minority
The Texas senator says that II no adequat,
bill comes from any republican source
then the democrats will present a bill
OF their own From the same authorize,
II may he said that in any bill presented
all the democrats will unite in supporting
q provision that express companies shall
be placed under the interstate commerce,
commission. Most of the democrats Will
insist that Pullman cars also shall he In
cluded.