New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-16
RATE BILL DEADLOCK.
WORK TO BREAK 1T FAILS.
Dir. KnoF Nay Draft an Amend-
ment Which Viii Bring Harmony.


Washington. Feb. f5-Notwfthstan ndfne ths
somewhat discouraging situation in the Senate
Committee Interstate Commerce over the
Railroad Rate bin to-day, the judgment of Re-
publican leaders in the Senate is that when Ser
ator Knox returns TO the city in few days he
will draw up amendment providing for judi
cial review which viii bring Senators DoIIiver
and Ciapp into line with the other Republicans
Of the committee.
After forenoon spent In unaviinz efforts to
come to an agreement on an amendments provid-
ing for judicial review the COMMITTEES adjourned
to meet again tomorrow. when voting on the
clauses of the bin and the amendments may be-
GIN The failure TO take action to-day was due
primarily 10 uncertainty to the position OF
Democratic Senator's which can only be de-
veloped by actual roIIcaII in committee Sem
ators Elkins, Aldrich. Kean. Foraker and Cran.
We're rsady 10 agree on judicial review amend
ment- Senator Cuilom absent and impaired
and Senators Dolliver and CIapp wers opposed to
the amendment That accounted for the Rspub-
Hcans.
OF the Democrats IL was hoped that SENATOR'S
Foster and McLaurin would favor review, but
they were holding or until thu Republicans
should make a show OF strength To-morrowNs
votes will demonstrate whether thers VIII bs a
combination between the Democrats ana Dol
liver and ClaDp. or between Foster and Mo.
Laurin and the majority Of ths Republicans
Ihree propositions will be presented 10 Tia
committee tomorrow. IN case Il "a decsfec to
press the issue TO final vote, II Is possible how
ever. as was said In these dispatches yesterday,
that the issue may be postponed until nsxa
week. These propositions ares
Ffrst-That the Democrats VIII ax-ea u>h
the Republicans the court review a-nana.
ment- and report the Hepburn bil 20 the senasx
with the understanding that other arnandu,snts
may be voted on IN the Senate.
Second0To report the Hepburn bill to tha.
Senate without recommendation and SETH, am
questions OF amendment In open contest Il, thsJ
Senate.
Third-The possfhnity-so remote. hoyevsr. a.
70 De exceedingly unfksly-that the Democratic
and Dolltver and Clapp VIII vote to report tha.
Hepburn bin without amendment
When the tired and perplaxsd Renubr,cay -,
leaders left the Capitol this evening arter a.
day spent IN fruitless conferences and rnuah
speculation as to the outcome Tomorrow tbsv.
adnnlrted that the situation was more uncsr-
tain than it has appeared at any time sjncs.
the Hepburn bill came over from ths Hnsa
Ihey were utterly unable TO forecast to-n,or-
rows action.
The Democrats are holding the key to the sit
uation- There were renewed rumors to-day that
they may decide TO seize whatever partisan a5
a
'front.' TO the discontinue OF the Republicans.
There was further talk OF the Democrats irving
| TO agree on a bill OF their own-Ehich. however
was admitted 10 be decidedly remote contin-
gency-and leave the Republicans split on the
Judicial review amendment to the Hepburn bill
In that event there would be two and possiblv
three, reports from the committee throwing the
entire question into the Senate with prospect
Of long debate.
The Democratic leaders I'm the Senate vera
persistently asserting to-day that the Democratio
membership OF the COMMITTEES. despite the re-
ported attitude OF Messrs. Foster and ArcIAauri.l
IN 1aVor or the court amendment, IS IN thorough
discipline and subject to concerted party action.
It was declared by these leaders that II the Re-
publicans raise party issue IN the COMMITTEES
the Democrats will stand together and wage a
contest along partisan lines.
If. however, the Republicans can agree among
themselves on bill whose principal features
are acceptable to the Democrats. there will be
free division minor amendments. That was
interpreted by the Republicans as being a gen.
eral statement, concealing intention on ths
part Of the Democrats to follow whatever coursd
may seem TO be most embarrassing for the Re-
publicans.
The bill will before the Senate IN soms
form. crude or perfected. early next week. and
then will be subject TO general amendment.