The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1906-02-16
RATE BILL PASSED
BY BIG MAJORITY
ONLY SEVEN VOTES CAST IN
HOUSE AGAINST THE HEP
BURN MEASURE.
Bill Is Constructed Along Lines of
President Roosevelt's Recommen-
Acknowledgements of It's Provisions
Other Doings in Congress.

The bill complies specifically with
the recommendations of President
Roosevelt on the rate question. 1t gives
the interstate commerce commission
authority when 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 that
time to be set aside or suspended by
the commission or by the courts. After
1t 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 or with the constitution, by
being confscatory, 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 auxiliaries within the jurisdiction
of the commission are said to be the
new features.
All other provisions are modifica-
lions of existing law. They include
publicity of railroad methods, which
is to be aided by prescribing system
OF bookkeeping and enlarging the COM
mission to seven members and in
creasing salaries of members to S10,-
900 a year.
Pension Bill Passed.
The pension appropriation bill, car
rying $139,000,000 for pensions and
$1,245,000 for pension administration,
was taken up, debated and passed
without amendment.
Other Congressional Proceedings.
Washington, Feb. 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 a 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 bill prohibiting fed
eral officials from asking Or accepting
ing railroads from granting them. 1t
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 " 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 or bedridden.
Washington, Feb. 13.-The senate on
Monday adopted joint resolution re-
ported by Senator Tillman from the
senate committee on interstate COM
merce, which directs the interstate
commerce commission to investigate
the charge of discrimination and COM
bination In restraint of trade made
against the railroads.
Washington, Feb. 13.-The house
Monday had sport with the whipping
post bill for wife beaters, and then
laid it on the table, effectively dispos-
ing of it by a vote of 1J5 to 81 The
bill requiring the return of freight re-
bates was passed. The rebate bill pro-
vides that when a rebate has been re-
ceived with guilty knowledge it Is a
violation of law and double the
amount is to be returned by the reeip-
lent, and half of this amount is to 60
to the informant.