The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-15

washington, May l0.-The senate to-
day completed the consideration of the.
second section of the railroad rate bill.
and Just before adjournment listened To
the reading of sections 5 and 4 with
out considering any amendments offer
ed 10 them. The purpose OF this read
ing was TO bring the consideration of
the bill up TO the point OF taking up
the Allison compromise amenrments-
which Will be done tomorrow.
A number OF very important changes
We're made in the second section. in
Guiding a provision restoring the i'm
prlsonment penalty act of 1887. and an
suggested by Senator Nc
lumber imposing a penalty, of fine and
Imprisonment, against the shippers
who secure rebates from transportation
companies. The latter amendment
was incorporated for the avowed pur-
pose of hitting the trusts. Another
amendment adopted was offered BY
Senator Warren. 1t gives the govern
ment business a preference over all
other traffic in time of war. A long
series of changes were also made at
SA~ ~ Vi llI SldLt GOIuIlGICe
commission.
Many OF these were verbal and all
were intended to improve the admin
lstrative features of the law.
There vas continuous debate
throughout the day, and there was
complaint that senators manifested n
disposition TO increase the time allow
ed under the 15-minute rule, by speak,
inc on onannf,1tr a.
and also by speaking in the time Of
other senator's.
Senator Tillman stated privately
when the senate adjourned that IL
these practices continue he would make
an effort tomorrow to have the
speeches limited to five minutes dara-
ton. The senate sat until 6 O'CLOCK,
and then adjourned to meet at II
o'clock tomorrow morning.
Following is the text of the McCum-
Der amendment
ANY person, corporation, or COM
pany who shall deliver property for in
terstate transportation to any common
carrier, subject TO the provisions of
this act, or for whom, as consigner or
consignee any sue carrier shall trans
port property, who shall knowingly and
wilfully, by employee, agent, officer OF
otherwise, directly or Indirectly, by or
through any means or advice whatso-
ever, receive OF avcept from such COM
non carrier any sum Of money, or any
other valuable consideration as q re-
bate or offset against the regular
charges for transportation of such
property, as fixed by the schedules OF
rates provided for in this act, shall be
deemed guilty of a fraud which lis
hereby declared to be a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof, in any
court of the United States of competent
jurisdiction within the district where
such offense was committed. in add
ton TO any other penalties provided by
this act, be subjected TO a fine equal to
three times the sum of money so re-
ceived or accepted, and three times the
value OF any other consideration so re-
ceiyed or accepted, TO be ascertained
by the trial court. and In the trial for
such ~offense, all such rebates or other
considerations SO received or accepted
for a period Of six years prior to the
commencement Of the action may be
received as evidence, and the said fine
shall be three times the total amount
OF money o r three times the total value
OF such considerations so received or
accepted, as the case may be: provided
that the foregoing penalties shall not
apply TO rebates or considerations re-
ceived prior TO the passage and APPROX
al of this act"