Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-10
COAL SECTION ADOPTED
Senate Acts Favorably on Blkins Amend
ment TO Rate Bill.
CARRIERS MUST QUIT OTHER BUSINESS
Law Makes Il Illegal for Them 20
Transport Any Property In which
They Have DIrect or Indirect
interest.

WASHINGTON, May s.-The senate
spent the greater part Of the day in the
consideration of the question of divorcing
the production of coal and other com
modities from their transportation and
closed that branch of its work by adopting
modified provision formally offered by
Senator Elkins, but originally suggested
by Senator McLaurin.
There was again much spsrring over
parliamentary points. but there was at no
time much confusion as on Tuesday
and when the coal question was finally
closed the progress was so rapid that
the first section was entirely disposed of
before the senate adjourned. other amend
ments were also adopted. but a long and
short haul division suggested by Mr..
LaFollette was voted down by practically
a party vote, and but two republicans
voting against the amendment.
When the senate adjourned there was
a general feeling that the rapid work
of the latter part of the session presages
the early final disposition of the bill.
None OF the Allison compromise amend
ments was considered today.
Text of Coal Amendment.
The amended Elkins' provision is in the
language of the original McLaurin sub
stitute and is as follows:
From and after May 1, 1908, It shall be
unlawful for any common carrier 10
transport from any state. state. territory, ,, OF
state, territory or district of the Unitet
States or to any foreign country any
article of commodity manufactured,
mined, or produced by it, or under its
authority, or which il may own in whole
or part or in which it may have any
| interest direct or indirect, except such
articles or commodities as may be neoes-
sary or used in the conduct of it's bust
ness as common carrier
The vote on the adoption of this amend
ment was 81 to 6. The negative votes
were cast by Senators Ankeny, Bulkeley,
Clark Cwyo), Millard, Pettus and War
rem.
other Amendments Accepted.
After disposing OF the question Of the
transportation Of coal the senate today
proceeded to the consideration of other
amendments to the railroad rate bill, vot-
/ ing some down and accepting others, but
acting on all practically without debate.
Following are the amendments that were
accepted;
BY Mr. Elkins, requiring carriers to put
in switches for shippers on reasonable
/ terms
| companies and express companies in the
| bill.
BY Mr.. Warner. providing that it shall
I
| state commerce to give equally good serv-
| ice and like accommodations to all persons
/ paying the same compensation for inter
| state transportation of passengers
! one of the amendments voted down was
| that offered by Mr.. Elkins requiring one
! road TO make connection with othurs and to
pro rate with them, and another provision
thus disposed of was the McCumber amend
ment requiring railroad companies to sup
I ply all the special cars required for the
proper conduct of its business.
There was no division on either of these
| propositions. but roll call was ordered
| on an amendment by Mr. La Toilette Civ
! ing the commission jurisdiction over this
long and short haul question. The amend.
ment was lost Is to IS. Most Of the af.
firmative votes on this provision were cast
by democrats and the negative votes by re.
| publicans
Senators Cullom and La Toilette voted
with the democrats and Senators Clark OF
Montana and Gearin with the republicans