The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-31
ADAMSON SCORES REPUBLICAN PARTY Hepburn Rate Bill Discussed in
 the House TOWNSEND DEFENDS BILL
 ------ Richardson of Alabama Also Says the Minority on the Committee Is Glad to Accept the Proposed
 Regulations.
TOWNSEND DEFENDS BILL

Washington, January 30.-Members of the House evidenced more general in- terest in the discussion of the rate bill throughout today than on any topic of legislation for some time. The debate throughout was listened to attentiyely and many questions were asked of the different speakers to bring out either obscure points in the measure or evils complained of which no attempt had been made to include in the bill.
 The debate was opened by MT. Townsend of Michigan. in an exhaustive argument on the general subject and sharp criticism directed to those who had opposed rail- road rate legislation. Mir Adamson of Georgia. representing the minority, fol- lowed in commendation of the measure and in praise of President Roosevelt on the question. which he said the minority were availing themselves of in the present instance. Mr Hinshaw of Nebraska, de- picted the benefit the legislation would do to the great Trans Missouri country, and MT. Richardson of Alabama, discussed as a democrat. the things done and the things left undone in the last legisla- ture.
 Takes Up Hepburn Bill.
 According to special order the House today took up the Hepburn railroad rate bill
 Tn making a request that speeches be confined to the subject matter of the bill, Mir. Hepburn stated that requests for time on the bill have been so numerous that 1t seemed proper to confine debate to the bill. MP Williams. minority leader, objected to this restriction, whereupon discussion followed as to whether this request could be enforced by vote. MT. Williams remarked:
 We are a body now that can't do any thing but talk and if this precedent is made, we will even have that privilege cut off.'
 Not wishing to abridge any of the gentlemans prerogatives, I will not press the matter" responded MT. Hepburn good naturedly. He observed further that while no time had been set to close debate, it had been his idea that a vote might be taken on the bill one week from today.
 In taking up the bill in committee of the whole, MT Vreland of New fork, was selected to preside over the debate.
 MT. Townsend of Michigan, at once be- gan the opening speech on the bill. As his closing sentence. MT. Townsend asserted the railroads had consistently and consistently opposed every device for the safety of the public and it's employees. and also that it had maintained rich and powerful lobbies opposing rate legisla- ton. He was frequently applauded and warmly congratulated.
 Adamson Scores Republicans.
 MT. Adamson of Georgia, who is in control of the time of debate on inc democratic side, followed MT. Townsend. He said he had never seen any reason to make commerce subject of partisan ship, yet such had been the case through out the history of the government. The present bill he cited as an illustrious exception to this record. However, dem ocrats had labored since the courts re- vealed the weakness of the interstate commerce law. to amend It's defects Pur, suing the democratic record further, he quoted it's declaration in it's platform of 19Oo-"When the republican platform was silent" he suggested-"ln favor of enlarged powers for the interstate com merce commission. This was repeated in 1904. The republican declaration at this
 
 tional character of baseless braggadocio | and hypocritical deception of the people, while trucking to their corporate cam paign contributors by cajoling them with the comforting declaration that laws en- acted by republicans which democrats failed to enforce have been fearlessly en- forced by the republican party and new laws enacted insuring. publicity and ad- ditional remedies for discrimination in freight rates
 "If that meant anything" continued MT. Adamson, fit was unquestionably intend- ed to assure the corporations that tho work of regulating them had been com plete and they need not apprehend any further legislation. and 1t was no doubt so understood by the corporations" Explaining the result of the election on 7 that platform. MT. Adamson said: Between the millions who stayed away from the polls because Cleveand's crowd procured the nomination of Parker and the hundreds of thousands who remained at summarized the