Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24
RAILROAD RATE BILL
Conference Report Called Up In
the House.
TWO ITEMS DISCUSSED
The Anti-Pass Paragraph and the
Pipeline Provision.
REPORT IS FINALLY ADOPTED
Without First Being Printed-Ready
for the Senate's Consideration
Tomorrow.

Unexpectedly Mr.. Hepburn OF Iowa,
chairman of the interstate and foreign
commerce committee of the House and
chairman Of the conferees on the railroad
rate bill, called up the conference report
on that measure Immediately after the pas
sage Of the pure food bin yesterday When
he mentioned the subject there was instant
attention given. He asked that the report
be considered now, instead Of going over
for printing until Monday. He explained
that possibly there might be some discus
sion on the ''sleeping-car" and "anti-pass"
amendments. In the first case he stated
that sleeping cars remained In the bill
while the anti-pass amendment had been
modified so as to apply only to federal
state and territorial officers, officials of the
Post Office Department in certain particu-
lars being exempted
Mr.. Williams (Miss) said that this was
important legislation; that the House had
had much to do with its enactment and
desiring the House to still further empha-
size its position, a democrat he would
not object. This remark was greeted with
applause. and then the clerk began reading
the conference report.
Mr.. Gaines (Tenn.) inquired as to the
yerbiage of the anti-pass amendment and
Mr.. Hepburn had 1t read.
Mr.. Keifer (Ohio) wanted to know what
effect the anti-pass law would have on a
member OF Congress who happened tosbe
an attorney of railroad and who under
the amentment. would be entitled to pass.
Il imagine he would have to leave Con-
gress," replied Mr.. Hepburn
Mr. Henry (Texas) asked it, under the
anti-pass amendment passes might be is
sued to delegates to conventions, to ship
pers. to railroad officials. families etc
II so understand It," said Mr.. Hepburn.
as reported by the conferees worse than
rothing at all" said Mr.. Henry.
Mr.. Hepburn's Explanation.
Mr.. Hepburn explained that IT was the
purpose of the conferees as far as they
could to remedy what has been alleged to
be the great evil of the pass the influence
1t had upon those who represented the
power of the people.
Mr.. Hepburn was then asked about the
pipe line provision
He explained that the conferees had sub
stituted common carrier for the word
railway
Mr.. Cooper of Wisconsin wanted to know
If passes could be issued until January l,
1907, to congressman and during the ap-
preaching campaign. Mr.. Hepburn ad-
mitted tEat that was the case.
But II don't follow you will get them, If
you ask for them after this legislation re-
marked q member.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi thought the
pass amendment SHOulQ De dmeNQeQ so tndl
the families of senators and representa-
tives and in fact all persons affected by
the amendment, be prohibited from solicit
ing passes for anybody. He protested
against the manner in which the confer
ence report was being railroaded through
in view of the promise made by both Mr..
Grosvenor tOhio) and Mr.. sDalxeH {Pa.)
that full and free debate would be per-
mitted on the several items in the con-
ference report.
He asked unanimous consent that an
amendment along the lines of his sugges-
tion be permitted to be made.
The Speaker held that the 81 nate had
something to say in the matter. That the
conference report was the joint efforts of
the conferees of the two houses of Con-
gress, and that the only way to accomplish
the conference report.
The ruling of the chair was wet blanket
to Mr.. Williams.
Mr. Richardson of Alabama protested
against the haste and said a promise had
been given for fair consideration.
Mr.. Dalzell of Pennsylvania explained
that neither Mr.. Grosvenor nor himself
had the power to say what the House would
do on the questions presented. He said
that full and free discussion could be had
if the previous question was voted down.
Previous Question Ordered.
Mr.. Hepburn then moved the previous
question, which was adopted. 121 to 97
The following republicans voted with the
democrats against ordering the previous
question: Allen, New Jersey: Bennett, New
York: Bonynge. Colorado Burton, Della
ware: Burton. Ohio; Calderhead, Kansas;
Cooper Wisconsin,: Driscoll New York;
gan; Henshaw, Nebraska: Hoar, Massa-
chusetts; Lawrence. Massachusetts,: Mccall,
Massachusetts,; Marshan, North Dakota;
Murdoch, Kansas; Murphy, Missouri: Oh
cott. New York: Often. Wisconsin; Par