Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-02-24
WILL REPORT
THE HEPBURN
BILL STRAIGHT
Senate Committee Says
Cut Out Amendments.
MEMBERS HOWEVER TO HAVE
FREE ACTION ON SENATE FLOOR
TiIlman First Democrat on Record to
Report Republican Measure From
Republican Committee.
MEMBERS HOWEVER TO HAVE
FREE ACTION ON SENATE FLOOR

Washington, Feb, 23.-By vote of
s to s the senate committee on inter-
state commerce today agreed to report
the Hepburn rate bill without amend
| ment, but the resolution reserved to
the members of the committee free
dom of action concerning amendments
offered in the senate. BY vote of
to 3, republicans prevailing. Senator
Tillman, democrat, was given the hon.
or of reporting the BILL This estab-
fishes precedent in that a republican
senate committee has given to a DEM
ocrat control of an important measure
passed by a republican house and en-
dorsed by republican president. Sem
ators Cullom and Carmack were alb
sent and their votes were recorded
only on the main proposition.
The resolution follows:
Resolved, That the interstate COM
merce commission report favorably
House bill 1887, as 1t passed the
house of representatives, 1t being un-
tee have a right to vote as they choose
on amendments or to offer amend
ments in the senate on consideration
of the bill"
Result Was In Doubt.
Before the session today the result
was in doubt. The division of the re-
publicans on the question of judicial
review of the orders of the Interstate
commerce commission left the demo-
Gratis in absolute control II was ap-
parent that II they divided the court
review amendment would be adopted.
The minority members, after trying to
get together last night, held q second
conference early this morning The
expression at the conference was to re-
port the bill without recommendation
of any character, but the agreement
was not binding. With that under
standing the democrats went into the
meeting. The republicans were already
assembled. The minority did not
make its decision known, and the
Hepburn bill was taken up and the
conservative" republican faction
sought to amend the first section.
At that iuncture Senator Doliver.
leading the force that was opposed to
amendments, read telegram from
Senator Cullom asking that he be re-
corded against all amendments that
were not recommended by the COM
mittee unanimously and TO cast his
vote for the Hepburn bill as II came
from the house.
Objection was made TO recording
Senator Cullom on any amendments
that had not been submitted TO him.
Senator Dolliver then moved to re-
port the Hepburn bill favorably as It
was passed by the house, and said that
on that he would demand that Senator
Cullom's vote be recorded. This pre-
cipitated a lining up on the only i'm
portant contention, and the democrats
desired time for further consultation.
A recess was taken until 9 o'clock
The four minority members present
withdrew to Senator Tllman's COM
mittee room and then decided to
stand as a unit for the Hepburn bill
with the reservation provided in the
resolution that was finally adopted.
They did not insist upon this freedom
Of action being made part OF the res
olutlon, however.
As soon as the result was made
known speculation began as to the
probable procedure on the floor.
Debate Must Be Prolonged.
II was predicted that there would
be delays and all sorts OF obstructive
tactics used This was contradicted,
however. by Senators Aldrich and
other leading senators not members
of the Interstate commerce commits
sion. They said they would favor
reaching an agreement whereby the
bill could be placed on the calendar
as unfinished business, ahead OF the
statehood bill. They said they
thought the prominence given the
railroad rate question and the inter-
est the people of the whole United
States have taken In 1t. entitled the
question to early consideration. II
was agreed. however. on all sides that
the discussion must be prolonged and
that undoubtedly 1t would be as bitter
as any that has taken place on the
same. All factions concedlng that the
Hepburn bill will pass the senate. the
only contest will be over an effort to
incorporate into the bill some pro-
vision for court review OF orders of
the interstate commerce commission.