Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-10

Washington, May 10. Real progress
was made with the Railroad Rates bill
yesterday After several hours had
been spent in futile endeavor TO find
some way to sidetrack all efforts to
incorporate provisions prohibiting
railroads from being producers of
coal and other commodities, the Sen
ate finally met the question squarely
by adopting an amendment prese nted
by Senator Elkins.
Six Senators voted against this
amendmont-M Messrs. Ankeny, Bulke-
Icy. Clark Of Wyoming, Millard and
Warren, Republicans, and Pettus,
Democrat. SiXty-seyen voted for it,
The amendment reads:
From and after May lst, 1908. t
shall be unlawful for any common
carrier to transport from any State,
Territory or district Of the United
States or TO any other State, Terri
tory or district of the United
States or TO any foreign country any
article or commodity manufactured
mined or produced by it or under its
authority or which IL may own in whole
or in part, for in which it may have
any interest, direct or indirect, except
such articles or commodities as may be
necessary in the conduct Of its bust
ness as a common carrier. -
lt had been the intention OF the
Senate leaders to send all amendments
bearing on this particular subject TO
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
with instructions TO bring in separate
bill, but they were unable to accom-
plish this because Of the parliamentary
status.
Senator Hopkins made the motion to
refer. Mr. Bailey raised a point of
order, arguing that while it was COM
petent for the Senate TO dispose Of the
pending amendments by direct vote, IL
was not permissible, under the rules
of the Senate or under parliamentary
practice, to refer amendments to a
committee when the bill to which
they had been proposed was not before
that committee, but was before the
Senate. Senators Lodge, Gallinger,
Bacon and MoLaurin supported the
point of order, while Senators Aldrich
and beveridge argued that the Hopkins
motion was permissible.
Vice President Fairbanks declined
TO rule on tho point of order referring
10 to the Senate for determination.
by vote of % TO dS the Senate de-
cided the motion not in order, these
Republicans voting with the Demo
Gratis in the negative: Messrs. Alice,
Brandagee, Bulkeley, Burkett, Burn
ham, Clapp, Elkins, Frye, Gallinger,
Gamble, Hale, kean, Kittredge, La
Toilette, lodge, Perkins, platt, Scott
and Spooner.
Senators Carter and Clark Of Mon
tana Teller OF Colorado and Fulton of
Oregon, discussed nc length the posi-
bilities of injury to legitimate indus
tries, particularly in the West, involved
In the proposed penalizing Of railroads
engaged IN the development Of mineral
resources, but all voted for the Elkins
amendment.
Senator Culberson's substitute,
more drastic in its provisions, was de-
ieated by "a vote of II 10 60, after
which the substitute amendment by
Mr.. Elklna, drafted by Senators Clay
and McLaurin, was adouted.
With this question finally disposed
OF amendments to the rate bin we're
adopted requiring railroads TO put in
switches asked for by shippers and
70 furnish all necessary cars; speci.
ncally including express companies
and sleeping car companies within the
provisions of the bill, and making il
the duty of carriers TO furnish equally
good service and accommodations Ia
all persons paying the same compensa
tion for interstate transportation.
an amendment proposed by Senator
ElSins TO compel railroads to make
physical connections and establish
joint routes was defeated, on tn,
ground that the bill already gave th,
Interstate Commerce Commission the
power TO force such joint routes.
Senator McCumber's amendment tc
abolish the whole private car system
after January LIST, 1909 met a similar
/ fate.
Senator La Toilette demanded a roll
call ON his amendment TO prohibit ,
carrier charging more for short thar
a long haul. This was defeated by ,,
| TO 46, Mn. la Toilette and Mr.. Cuilon
being the only Republicans to vot,
with the Democrats in its support
Mr.. Clark of Montana was the onl,
] I Ion HIH % Naa.Ia