The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-21
Democratic Bill, Elkins Bill,
or No Legislation as
Result.
Lull in Campaign Against
President, but New Out
break May Follow.
BY w. w. Jermane.

y
w. Friends Of rate legislation Of
the sort the president wants
are looking with much apprehension at
what appears to be a blockade in the
senate, the work Of Senator German, in
which he has been joined by nearly all
Of the democratic members of that
body. ..ss~'sc :. =.
If that blockade has really been made
the presidents bill is doomed, and so
the administration supporters are try
ing to find out just what the strength
of German IS position really is. Senator
Dolliver spent three hours with John
Sharp Williams, the democratic leader
in the house, last night, endeavoring
to persuade him that it would be the
proper thing for the house democrats to
support the republicans in passing the
Hepburn bill; that such course would
be logical and patriotic and that no
partisan politics should enter into
question of this sort which is not Pc
itical in any true sense.
Williams In Corner.
Williams was driven into a hole by
Dolliver, on the argument, and finally
ended the discussion by saying that
the house democrats would support a
bill of their own. Of course, on final
roll call they will vote for the Hepburn
bill, but previous to that moment they
will stand for their own measure, which
is of a very radical character. ii
This is part of the German program
Obviously, it would not do, politically
for the house democrats to support the
administration bill, when the -senat
democrats are planning to oppose it.
German is conspicuous in the senat
for his leanings towards corporations
and he is especially tender in his hand
ling Of railroad corporations. I maxi
this statement without suggesting tina
he has accepted a retainer from thu
railroads in the present case.
German and Capital.
His position is sufficiently explained
by the statement that all his associa
tions are with capital, and that h
would be doing violence to his convic
tions if he were now to join the ao
ministration ranks. German is also
clever politician and so has planned t.
disguise his real motives by making tn
issue one of partisan politics.
That his hand has not lost it's cur
ming is shown by his ability to proven
the house democrats from coming t
the support of the Hepburn bill, and b
his further ability to make the senat
democrats believe that his plan is RICH
There is a possibility that he has nc
been able to do the latter in as larg
way as is here indicated, but tn
friends of the president are worrie'
and house republicans who are men
bers Of the interstate and foreign cor
merce committee, which has rate ma
ters in charge, are beginning to fe
that defeat will be their ultimate fat
Three Alternatives.
Assuming that German has made tt
blockade here spoken Of the admin
tration forces are confronted by thr
alternatives:
First, they must accept the dem
cratic bill in the senate; OF, secon
by Foraker, Elkins and Kean; or, THU
they must face the fact that there W
be no legislation. of any kind.
The democratic senate bill will
patterned after the house democrat
bill, and will be ultra-radical in cha
acter.
The democratic party would never
the world stand for such bill if
were in control Of both houses of CT
gress.
The Foraker Elkins- Kean bill is
mild as to be Ineffective and besides
carries the court feature, which ma
leaders believe to be unconstitutior
Attempt by Democrats.
The democratic members of the int
state and foreign commerce commit
were driven into a hole at last Frida
~ A Ii. I