New-York tribune., 1906-05-10
RATE BILL AMENDED.
MADE MORE SWEEPING.
Tsco Far-Reaching Changes Made
Rapid Progress Toward Vote.
Ion Tha Trihuns Rureau. ]

'aVRcW u tQ-tE Coo Il UeSNSN0 y VtCs
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington May e.-Sweeping as was the
Hepburn bill as passed by the House, the Sem
ate has made it far more so. and the end is not
yet To-day two far-reaching amendments
we're adopted-the first the McLaurin substitute
for the Elkins amendment whereby carriers en-
gagged in interstate commerce are prohibited
from engaging IN commerce in any commodity
which they mine. produce or manufacture, in
competition with tho shippers over their road
after May 1. 19OS the second. the Bailey
amendment, whereby all express and sleeping
car companies are made subject to the Interstate
Commerce act, as amended, so that when the
Hepburn bill becomes a law the commission
will have authority to investigate their rates
and practices and prescribe others whenever
those existing shall be found to be unreasonable
or unfair These. taken in connection with the
Lodge amendment adopted on Friday. whereby
all persons or companies engaged in transport
ing oil by pipe lines are made common car
rers and subject to the provisions OF the In
terstate Commerce law, constitute radical
changes from the existing statutes and material
progress in the movement toward federal con-
troll Of public utilities
An amendment offered by Senator La Toilette.
which provided that the commission might in
its discretion prohibit any carrier from charg-
ing or receiving any greater compensation for
transporting passengers or property for
shorter than longer distance, was defeated by
a practically unanimous Republican vote. Mr..
Cullom casting the only affirmative vote
that side, while every Democrat except Mr..
Clark of Montana, supported it. Ample author
ity TO do all the La Toilette amendment pro-,
posed is conferred on the Interstate Commerce
Commission by the Hepburn bill it stands.
and many Republicans voted against the La
Toilette proposition because they lacked con-
fidence in the Judgment OF it's author.
After spending the greater part Of the day dis
cussing the Elkins amendment and the various
amendments thereto and substitutes therefor. in
which a motion to lay the amendment and
everything pertaining thereto on the table was
declared out Of order by a vote Of 25 to 4S. Mr..
EllIins offered the McLaurin amendment as a
substitute for his own. The substitute was car
ried by vote of 81 to 6, the only negative votes
being cast by Messrs. Bulkeley. Clark, of
wyoming; NIillard. Warren, Pettus and Ankeney.
The McLaurln substitute is as follows
From and after May 1, 1908. it shall be un-
lawful for any common carrier to transport from
any state territory or district of the United
States to any other state territory or district OF
the United States or TO any foreign country any
article commodity manufactured, mined or
produced by II, or under it's authority, which
It may own in whole in part, or in which it
may have any interest, direct or indirect, except
such articles or commodities as may be neces-
sary or used in the conduct Of its business as a
common carrier.
a1n interesting question was raised as to the
result on the Standard Oil Company Of the
adoption of both the Lodge and the McLaurin
amendments. BY these provisions single COM
pany cannot own pipe lines and engage in the
transportation Of OIL and in interstate commerce
in oil. It is assumed that unless the House OBJ
jects to one or the other Of these amendments
and that is unlikely-the Standard will be
compelled to resolve itself into separate COM
panies. some Of which will own the oil and en-
gage in the business of selling it, while others
will own and operate the pipe lines
Other amendments to the Hepburn bill were
adopted. as follows:
BY Mr.. Elkins-Requiring carriers to put in
switches for shippers on reasonable terms.
BY Mr.. Warner-Providing that it shall be
the duty Of carriers engaged in interstate COM
merce to give equally good service and like ac-
commodations to all persons paying the same
compensation for interstate transportation Of
passengers"
One Of the amendments voted down was that
offered by Mr.. Elkins. requiring one road TO
make connection with others and to prorate
with them and another provision thus disposed
of was the NfcCumber amendment requiring rail-
road companies to supply all the special cars re-
duired for the proper conduct of their business
There was no division on either Of these propo-
sitions.
There was considerable sparring over parlia-
mentary points, but there was at no time much
confusion. and when the coal question was final
ly settled the progress was so rapid that the
first section was disposed of before adjourn
ment.
When the Senate adjourned there was gen.
eral feeling that the rapid work Of the latter
part Of the session presages the early, final dis
position of the bill The Allison compromise
amendment was not considered to-day.