The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-03-03
DoLL1vER DEFENDS RATE BILL
Measure Intended Only to Supplement
Existing Interstate Commerce Law.

WASHINGTON. March 2-Thc discus
sion OF the railroad rate question In the
Senate was continued today by Mr.. Dolli-
Yer, who spoke in support OF the Dollver-
Hepburn bill He said that the bill was
intended merely TO supplement the exist
ing Interstate commerce law and contend
ed for its validity from constitutional
I Iolnt OF vlsw, predicting that Govern
ment ownership OF the railroads would be
forced upon the country II Congress did
rot meet the present demand for regula-
ton.
Mr.. DolIlver was not questioned and
when he concluded the remainder of the
day was devoted to the bill providing for
the settlement OF the affairs Of the i've
civilized tribes Of Indians after the termi-
nation OF their tribal relations.
The House amendments TO the joint
resolution extending the present tribal
government in Indian Territory until
March. 1857, were non-concurred IN by the
Senate. and Messrs Clepp, McCumber and
Dubois were appointed TO confer with tho
House for the adjustment OF tho differ
ences.
Consideration OF the Indian settlement
Lii was then resumed. Mr.. Clark OF
Montana moved to disagree with the Sen
nto committee amendment providing for
tho sale Of coal lands. leaving In effect
tho House provision for the leasing OF
Mr La toilette offered a number Of
amendments. one of which was to strike
out the provision granting to coal-mlne
owners immunity from damages on ac-
count OF the subsdence OF the surface.
He denounced the provision as another
device for the benefit OF the mining cor
porations" He demanded a roll call on
the amendment, and II was lost by the
vote of TO IS, Mr. La Toilette casting the
only Affirmative Republican vote.
Among tho votes cast in the negative
was that OF Mr. Culberson. who imme-
diatcly moved reconsideration. He spoke
OF the provision as extraordinary and
called on Mr GspP for ,o.s an paa Sssn
sc rted in the hope that II would enhance
The value OF the coal lands
The differences were ultimately compro-
missed so as to protect existing surface
owners and Mr.. Culberson withdrew his
motion to reconsider.
Mr. Stone suggested an amendment cx-
tending until 1911 the time when coal
lands may be sold. and In explanation
said he had heard stories involving per-
soma OF such high standing In Official life
that he considered this the wise and ga 10
course TO pursue The amendment was
accepted.
Mr' La Follette's amendment limiting
the land that may be sold to any one pur-
chaser 10 300 acres was voted down.
Mr. La Toilette then formally offered
lis amendment prohibiting railroad COM
panies from acquiring any OF tho Terri
torlal coal lands.
He said that these lands were worth in
the aggregate sl76. 600. He said that of
the liz leases now in existence. covering
loI o1o acres of coal lands, the railroad
companies control hfty-two, covering 49,
COO acres and tnat he had been Informed
that these combinations would have the
effect OF keeping out private operators be-
cause of the difficulty in securing trans
portation when they come into comDcti-
ton with railroad owners
He added that 1t was impossible Ia con-
ceivc OF free competition with carriers
owning any commodity. and had letter
read from ". u. Johnson of Ardmore l.
I , declaring that tho railroads now have
practical monopoly OF the coal business
In that Territory
a further consideration OF the bill was
then postponed and M. Clark Of Wyo-
ming moved the appointment OF a select
committee OF 1--WE Senators 10 investigate
the affairs OF the Indian Territory. Ac-
ton on the motion also went over.
The Senate at $50 went into executive
session and AT 535 adjourned