New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-02-14
RiTE Bill PASSED
BY BIC MAJORITY.
ONLY SEVEN VOTES CAST IN
HOUSE AGAINST THE HEP
BURN MEASURE.

President Roosevelt's Recommen-
datioas-synopsis of It's Provisions
Other Doings in Congress.
Washington, FEB. 9.-The house
Thursday passed the Hepburn railroad
! rate bill by a vote of 346 to Z. Those
voting against the bill were: Little
! field, Mccall, Perkins, Sibley, South
wick, Vreeland and Weeks.
The bill complies specifically with
the recommendations of President
Roosevelt on the rate question. 1t gives
the Interstate commerce commission
! authority when a rate has been COM
planned Of as unreasonable" by ship
per, to Investigate that rate, to name a
rate which is to be just and fairly re-
munerative, which is to be the maxi
mum rate to be charged.
Courts Can Suspend Rate
This rate SO fixed is to go into eff
feet 80 days after it is announced by
the commission, subject during tat
| time to be set aside or suspended by
the commission or by the courts. After
it has gone into effect it is to remain
the rate for three years. During this
time, the opinion has been expressed
by those who have participated in the
debate that the rate may also be re-
viewed by the courts and if found to
be in conflict either with the terms of
the act OF with the constitution, by
being contiscatory, can be set aside by
| the courts.
Another important feature is the
definition of the words railroad" and
transportation in a manner to in
clude all auxiliary instrumentalities
Of the common carrier and to bring
them within the control of the COM
mission. This power to name a
reasonable rate and the inclusion of
the auAiliaries within the jurisdiction
new features
All other provisions are modifica-
tons Of existing law. They include
| publicity of railroad methods, which
is to be aided by prescribing a system
OF bookkeeping and charging the COM
mission to seven members and in
creasinS salaries Of members to $1O,-
600 a year.
Pension Bill Passed.
The pension appropriation BILL car
rying $139 100000 for pensions and
S1,245 900 for pension administration,
was taken up, debated and passed
without amendment.
Other Congressional Proceedings.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE senate did
| not nave an opportunity Tuesday to
hear the discussion of Senator Patter-
sons resolution on the action of the
Democratic caucus, as was partially
promised on Monday, but gave the en-
tire day to revival of the preroga-
tives Of the senate in the matter Of
framing treaties.
Washington, Feb. S:-Senator Pat
terson, of Colorado. addressed the
senate on his resolution of remon-
| STRANGE against caucus action on
| treaties with foreign nations Sena-
| tor Bailey of Texas, replied and his
speech was in the nature of an effort
to administer party discipline to Sen
ator Patterson No action was taken
| on the resolution.
Washington. Feb. S.-By continuing
its session practically to seven o'clock
Wednesday the house concluded all
preliminary steps to the passage OF
the railroad rate bill, ordered roll
call on the measure. and put off the
final action until to-day at noon
Amendments containing all manner
of propositions such as regulating
preferentials, the long and short haul
free passes, court procedure, whole
rate bills, were represented but all
were defeated.
Washington, Feb. 9.-The senate
devoted Thursday largely to ordinary
bills on the calendar. Senator LaFol-
lette introduced a bill prohibiting fed
eral officials from asking Or accepting
railroad or other passes and prohibit
ing railroads from granting them. II
imposes penalties for violations of the
law.
Washington, Feb. 10.-Almost the
entire session of the senate Friday was
| devoted to the consideration of the
urgent deficiency appropriation bill,
| which was passed practically as it was
reported from the committee on ap-
preparations.
! Washington, Feb. 10.-The house
Friday ground out its usual semi.
monthly grist of private pensions,
passing in Y minutes 429 bills for the
benefit of veterans who are barred for
one reason or another from coming in
under the general statute. Seventy
five per cent. of the benefciaries are
either blind OF bedridden.