The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-10
PROGRESS ON THE RATE BILL The. Llkins Amendment is Modified. THEN ADOPTED BY THE SENATE Divorces the Production of Com modities from Their Carriage. Again There is Much sparring over Parliamentary Points, But When
 start ia Made, the Senate
 Works Rapidly.
THEN ADOPTED BY THE SENATl

Washington, May 9.-The Senate spent the greater part of the day again in the consideration of the question of other commodities from their transpor- tation and closed that branch of its work by adoping a modified provision formally offered by Senator Elkins but originally suggested by Senator Me- Laurin.
 There was again much sparring over parliamentary points but there was at no time as much confusion as on Tues day, and when the coal question was rapid that the first section of the rate bill was entirely disposed of before the Senate adjourned.
 Other amendments were also adopted, but long and short haul provision suggested by MT. LaFollette was voted down by practically a party vote, all but two Republicans voting against the amendment.
 When the Senate adjourned there was 6 general feeling that the rapid work of the latter part of the session pre- sages the early final disposition of the bill None of the Allison compromise amendments were considered today. The Senate was prompt today in re- suming consideration of the Elkins coal AHen0menL to the T6llTOau rate iiii prohibiting interstate railroads from engaging in the production of coal or other commodities The Vice President | announced the amendment of Senator Dryden to the Elkins provision to be in order. That amendment extends to July 1911. the time when the provision shall go into effect Several Senators
 made objection that the time suggest
 ed was too remote and Mir. Dryden al- | L-A T..V call was promptly ordered and resulted in the adoption of the amendment A to 20.
 Hopkins Moves to Refer. The action of the Senate in accept. 1 ing the Dryden provision. was prompt | ly followed by motion by MT. Hop.
 kins to refer the entire coal produc-
 tion subject--the Elkins amendments
 and the amendments to tito the Corr
 nfittee' on Interstate Commerce.. He 1 supported the motion with a brie. speech.
 | Senator Bailey made the point of or-
 der that there was no authority for committing an amendment to a con- 1 mittee. and on vote the motion was declared out of order-25 to 4s A substitute for the Eikins amend
 ment covering the same subject in a | different way which was presented by cVhdtOr hCI<duTlTs was then declared to be in order. Mir. Hale moved to lay the substitute on the table and Senator Aldrich made point of order again at it. The point had the effect of forcIn ? the Mississippi Senator to withdraw his provision, but in doing so he announced ms intention. to renew 1t in case of the defeat of the Elkins amendment.
 At this point the question as to the effect of yesterdays vote on the right of the Senate to lay amendments on the table under the agreement under the fifteen minute rule was raised, some senators contending that 1t was sweep ing and others that 1t was applicable only to the question then before the Senate. The point was not decided and after time the consideration of the bill was continued.
 The McCumber substitute for the FL kin's amendment introduced yester- day was then taken up.
 Senator Elkins next submitted modi- fications of his amendment. whereup- on Senator McCumber withdrew his substitute, saying the notifications rendered the Elkin's provision accep- table. As modified, the Elkin's amend ment provided that the provision should not go into effect before May 1, 1909.
 If the time Is postponed longer than two years, the proposition will not get vote on the Democratic side of the Senate" announced Mir Bailey, and the West Virginia senator charged the date