The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-16

Republicans of the Senate Committee
VIII Likely Be Unable to Report
a Satisfactory Rate Bill.
POSITION OF DEMOCRATS
MINORITY READY TO STEP INTO
THE BREACH.

Washington, Feb. 15.-Agreement to
vote on q railroad rate bill tomorrow in
the senate committee on interstate COM
merce is an issue that neither faction
on the commerce commission seems in
0lined to force. Neither knows the
strength OF the other, and unquestion-
ably the Democratic members of the
committee are the balance Of power.
Neither OF the Republican factions
have issued formal statements setting
forth their differences, but the Demo-
Gratis. in an authorized statement from
Senator Bailey, Rave made IL clear that
IAN adequate bill'' must be reported or
the minority will have a measure of its
own. In this statement, however, it is
admitted that the Democrats are di-
Vlded on the questions Of judicial re-
view.
VIII Not Insist Upon Vote.
The members of the committee insist
ing upon an amendment to the house
bfll-SenatOrs Elkins, Aldrich, Foraker
Ke71 and Crane-do. not believe the
amendments providing for any change
I'm the court features Of the bill can be
voted upon tomorrow. Senators Dolli-
yer and Clapp the champions of the
house bin IN it's present form, are not
disposed to insist upon a vote. They
desire to have Senator CuIlOm paired
against amendment, but the conserva-
tive faction will rot permit this. If the
vote is postponed, as seems likely, Sen
atOr CuliOm may return to Washington
before a vote is taken. Different re-
ports are circulate concerning his pO-
sitiOn, the conservatives admitting the
claim that he is against an amendment
thar would suET end an order of the
commission per ding a review by the
courts, but insisting that he is not OPP
posed to a more moderate amendment.
The positions viii be outlined clearly
tomorrow, even though a vote is not
obtained.
No Agreement Reached.
Late tonight it was stated thar so far
no agreement has been reached on any
amendment, despite the fact that nu-
neFous- conferences have been held dur
ing the day between the president,
members of the cabinet and senator's
70 prepare a compromise draft.
Senator AldTich. Senator Allison and
Secretary Taft conferred with the pres
tdent today concerning the alleged ne
Cessity Of an amendment providing for
Judicial review. The secretary of war
has joined forces with conservative
senators in declaring that such an
amendment is required TO make the bill
constitutional. Attorney General Moody
does not agree TO this. t is said that
the president announced today that he
would like to see the amendment to be
proposed and submit it to the attorney
general before he endorses any prOpO-
sition to amend the house bill.
Democratic Position.
Senator Bailey, who is the minority /
floor leader in the absence of Senator /
German, today explained the attitude of I
Democratic senators. He said that if a /
bin is presented by the Republicans, Z
which in the opinion of the Democrats :
IS adequate TO meet the demands of the /
situation, the Democrats both in the /
senlte and in the committee VIII sup
port it. In the event Of a division of /
the Republicans the Democrats will 1
support the bill presented by the fac /
ton offering that which comes nearest |
to meeting the demands of the minor |
ity. The Texas senator says that if no /
adequate bill comes from any Republi- !
can source, then the Democrats VIII I
present a bin Of their own. From the /
same authority comes the statement /
that in any bill presented all the Dem 4
oCraJs will unite in supporting a pro- 4
vision that express companies shall be /
placed under The interstate commerce /
commission. Most OF the Democrats /
viii insist that Pullman cars also shall 1
be included