Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-30
IN THE HOUSE.

Washington, Jan. 29.-ActiOn which is
considered a move against the rail-
roads was taken by the House today in
the adoption of Il resolution calling on
the President to furnish information as
to the existence of an alleged agree
ment i'm violation of the interstate COM
merce law between the Pennsylvania,
Baltimore & Ohio. Norfolk & Western.
Che sapeake & Ohio. Northern Central
& Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washing
ton Railroad Cos. Opposition to the res
olution did not develop until after it
had been declared adopted by the
Speaker. At this point Mr.. DalZell of
Pennsylvania moved to reconsider
This motion was laid on the table, 81
Republicans and the Democratic men,
bers voting against Mr.. DalZell. This
action makes it impossible to recon-
sider the resolution hereafter without
a two-thirds vote of the House.
The House gave its unanimous con-
sent TO begin tomorrow the considera-
tion Of the Hepburn railroad rate bill
and continue with the same until the
bill shall be disposed of.
A tribute to the memory of Gen. Jo-
seph Wheeler was paid when amend
mrnt To bill under consideration was
passed to name one of the streets of
Washington "Whceer street Mr..
sherman of New York eulogiZed Gen.
Wheeler.
The House adjourned at sos p. NJ.
until tomorrow at noon.
The House got tangled into q hard
Legislative knot over the construction
Of its rules ana only succeeded in un-
tanclnS hy a roll call. The first chap
ter in the difficulty consisted of the
presentation Of resolution by Stevens,
Ten. IL required information of the in
terstate commerce. commission regard
ing alleged high freight rates on cat
tie from Texas. He explained that the
resolution was "privilcGed' because il
asked information and had been before
a committee n week without action.
Put ruled the Speaker. Rule %
provides that resolutions must be ad-
dressed to Il head of n department to
bcCum" privileged in this manner. The
intcTStat" commerce commission is not
n department" This ruling opened the
way for an objection to considering the
resolution which was promptly made.
Gillespie. Ten. offered i resolution
for information regarding all alleged
railroad combination between the
Pennsylvania Railroad. Norfolk &
Western. Baltimore & Ohio. Philadel-
rhia. Baltimore & Washington. North
ern Central and the Chesapeake d Ohio
This resolution was addressed to the
President as the logical head of the
Interstate commerce commission.
.At first il seemed to meet the objec'
tion which prevailed against the Stew
ems resolution and was agreed to with
out negative vote.
1t was at this point that DalZell. Pa.
began to see "distinction without 9
difference" between the two resolu
tions. He proceeded to explain that the
rule could not be obviated and n reso
luton not privileged made so by sim
ply addressing the inquiry to the Pres
ideit. But suggested the Speaker
"the resolution has been agreed to-"
Then l move to consider" said Dal
2eli.
Put has il been agreed to?" suggest.
ed Mann, Ills. I think only the amend
ment WAS agreed to-
AS no one could remember Just what
action had been taken the House wait.
ed for the notes of the official reporter
to he Transcribed.
THE resolution was agreed to-" sait
the Speaker, thereupon Dalzell insisted
upon his motion and Gillespie moved
that the resolution be laid on the ta.
Die. On his motion. the roll was called
resulting in 122 yeas and 95 nays. Thi:
had the effect of tabliong the motor
10 reconsider anl Init ~
effective.
Ky unanimous consent the Hepburn
railroad rate bill was made the contin.
uing order in the House from tomor.
row until a conclusion is reached
According to the regular order legis
lation for the District of Columbia hat
the right of way. Eight district bill.
were on the calendar.
Continued on Page Two.)