New-York tribune., 1906-04-10
HARMONY ON RATE BILL
PIN FOR COURT REVIEJE.
Knor-Spooner amendment Likely to
Command Solid Republican Vote.
t-rom The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington April 9-Entire agreement among
the Republican members of the Senate on p
court review amendment 10 the Hepburn bill
seems imminent this evening. and those who
have taken a prominent part I'm trying to perfect
IN understanding which would permit Republi-
can Senators to vote a unit on this important
question expect that before the end of the week
they will he able 20 announce the precise terms
Of the amendment. which will be adopted by n
solid Republican vote The basis of the COM
promise If such it can be called. is the Long
amendment modified as suggested by Senator
Knox in the course of Mr.. Longs speech. AS
amended the Long amendment viii read in part
as follows:
And jurisdiction is hereby conferred on the
Circuit courts Of the United States TO hear and
determine in any such suit whether the order
complained Of was beyond the authority of the
commission or in violation of the rights of the
carrier secured by the Constitution the laws
OF the United States.
II viii further provide that shippers or other
persons parties 10 the proceeding shall have the
right 10 bring SUIT TO determine whether their
constitutional rights or their rights under the
laws of the United States have been violated
and the Spooner amendment. requiring the de-
posit Of all money collected in excess of the rate
decreed by the commission, subject to the juris-
diction OF the court, Will be added thereto.
II appears that the interval between last Fri
days session Of thsSenate and that held to-day
afforded an opportunity 10 those who have the
interests OF this legislation and of party har-
rnony most at heart to canvass the entire situa~
ton, and the result has been to demonstrate
that the differences regarding amendments
which should he made to the Hepburn bill
were not so great had been supposed
An examination OF the subject demonstrated that
practically all the Republicans in the Senate and
-,
Of the pending legislation and the great principle
involved. as was indicated in these dispatches
yesterday.
Careful study Of such differences as did re-
main demonstrated that by amending the Long
amendment in accordance with the suggestions
of Senator Knox they could be eliminated, and
credit for the passage Of the completed measure
could be secured by the Republican party with
out the necessity OF appealing for Democratic
assistance. although there are many Democrats
IN the upper House who heartily favor the pro
posed amendment and viii vote with the ma
3ority, thus eliminating partisan feeling from
the situation
While the possibility Of a hitch before the final
agreement is reached still remains those who
have been working most zealousy for harmony
believe that their work is nearly completed, and
that a final agreement can be definitely an
nounced in the immediate future Some Of the
more enthusiastic members Of the Senate are
disposed TO regard the results Of to-day's con-
ferences as final, but the most conservative ele-
ment VIII hold the announcement in allegiance
until all possibility Of slip has been eliminated.
As soon as the court review amendment has
been disposed of the remainder Of the bill will
be carefully reviewed and II is proba ble that
many amendments Of comparatively minor i'm
portance viii be made. Fer instance it is ex-
pected that the Interstate Commerce Commission
VIII IN the final measure be authorized to declare
what shall constitute a just and reasonable rate
for given service but that the words sin their
judgment" now contained in the bill, will be
stricken out, tending TO indicate toe clearly
delegation OF the legislative power of Congress
Numerous amendments have been suggested, no
one OF which is likely 10 precipitate prolonged
debate. but all will require careful consideration
so it is unlikely that final vote can be reached
before May l.
President Roosevelt had a talk on the rate
problem with Representative Hepburn to-day
When the man for whom the bill is named
emerged from the executive Office be was not in
clined 70 be communicative. Asked If he could
predict approximately the date when the vote
would be taken, he said:
We'll I did say that we would get to a vote
by the middle Of the month, but now I guess IN
have 70 postpone that date about a week"
Colonel Hepburn said he was well satisfied with
the way the bill was being treated, and added
that he had no comment TO make on amend
Tnents.
Nr McIaurin and Mr Morgan addressed the
Senate to-day the rate question, the former
advocating legislation and the latter opposing ii.
Senator NcLaurin announced his intention TO
support an amendment providing for court re-
view Of the decisions of the Interstate Commerce
Commission and his adherence to the Bailey
amendment prohibiting the temporary suspen-
sion of the commissions orders by the inferior
courts. He criticised what he characterized as
an effort TO inject politics into the consideration
Of the bill.
Nr Morgan took the ground that the bill
al interference with the rights of the states to
control the corporations they created, and said
the best way to check eXorbitant railroad rates
was 10 keep the waterways in such condition as
II ir-Ell