The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-05-01
VOTING ON RATE
BILL WILL BEGIN
ON FRIDAY NEXT


begin voting on the amendments TO the
railroad rate bill on Friday. May 4. An
agreement 20 that effect was reached yes
terday, but IL proved impossible TO so
extend the understanding as 10 have It
include the fixing of n date for taking
final vote on the bill as a whole.
Mr. Tillman first proposed a final vote
on May and Mr.. Morgan was the only
senator TO make objection. His oppo-
sition was sufficient, however. tn frus-
trate the design. and the next most FEAST
BILE course. the disposition OF amend
ments, was decided upon. The general
impression among senators s that the
final vote Will be reached within a week
from the time OF the beginning OF the
consideration OF amendments.
Most of the time OF the senate yester-
day was devoted to listening 10 a speech
by Mr.. Clarke OF Arkansas, in which he
criticised the pending rate fill as inef
fectual to remedy existing conditions.
Mr.. Clarke's speech was directed TO the
several constitutional Questions in con-
troversy. but al the outset he stated that
In his opinion the pending bill was not
in accordance with the demands OF the
public. He said the bin failed to provide
that orders OF the interstate commerce
commission were not TO be interfered
with and he declared that congress had
the right 10 make such a requirement.
Mr.. Clarke went on 10 say that ne would
not make a wholesale attack upon the
issue of injunctions, for he believed the
injunction TO be a wholesome power but
he was convinced that congress could
say that in certain cases preliminary in
functions shall not be granted. After re-
viewing court opinions having a bearing
on court review, Mr. Clarke said:
Il would just as soon the seantor from
Rhode Island (Mr. Aldrich) should write
a judicial provision as 10 write II my
self / do not believe in the necessity
for any provision. while he thinks every
thing is necessary. / think the question
is covered by the constitution, no mat
ter what Is in the bill"
He condemned the bill, saying IL should
not permit the interstate commerce com
mission 10 be prosecuted and executioned
as the same time. Then followed gen
eral debate between Mr. Aldrich. MIR. Bev-
eridge and Mr.. Clarke concerning over
capitalization OF railroad corporations
Mr.. Aldrich said tnat IL the senator
(Mr. Clarke) was right, all that would
be necessary would be to assume that
all the roads have n value of s25, 900 a
mile and then fix rates so as to insure
a return OF six per cent, but Mr.. Clarke
"etorted that he would assume nothing
OF the kind, but would insist upon a sepa-
rate valuation in each case Railroad
companies he argued. were entitled to a
reasonable return on the value OF their
property.
Mr.. Foraker called attention 10 the fact
that under the existing law the supreme
court had said that in case Of discrimi-
nation against communities railroads
could be enjoined. This being true. he
saw no reason for complicating the situa-
tion.
Mr.. Clarke contended that the only
judicial question involved in the matter
Of rate fixing was the question OF Just
compensation and that the courts should
exercise Jurisdiction on no other point.
He thought there should be not only
a valuation of the roads, but that the
compensation should be fixed at say.
per cent. In the cases OF the more valua-
BILE roads. he would arrive at a correct
return determining the value Of the
property.
Mr.. Tillman renewed his effort to secure
the fixing OF a day for taking the vote
on the railroad rate bill. He suggested
May Q.
The request had the effect of bringing
out suggestions from Is or 90 senators.
but no one made objection TO naming a
date until Mr.. Morgan objected. After
further discussion unanimous consent was
secured to have the general debate cease
on Thursday. May g. and have the bill
taken up by sections with the beginning
OF the session Friday. with the under
standing that from that time forward
amendments shall be considered under the
rule limiting speeches TO 15 minutes in
duration. the vote on each amendment
to be taken when the debate Is exhausted.
Thank the Lord for that" exclaimed
Mr.. Frye with sign or relief. evidently
voicing the sentiment OF the entire sen
ate.