The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-07
COALITION ON THE RATE BILL,
SOME DEMOCRATIC SENATOR'S
PROPOSE A Caucus
To Arrange for Concerted Action With the
Minority Republicans on the Long
Observation-Disclosures OF the DemOcra.
ito Senators Opposed 1t TO Defeat II,

Minority Republicans OF the Long
Amendment-E Enough OF the DemOcra.
tic Senators Opposed 1t TO Defeat II,
WASHINGTON, April with the OBJ eot
Of forming a Democratic coalition with
Senator Dolliver and the other minority
Republicans who are opposed to giving the
courts full authority to revise rate fixing
orders of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, some OF the Democrats In the
Senate are endeavoring to have a caucus
Of their party associates called. While the
ostensible purpose oSthe proposed caucus
is to give the Democratic Senators an oppor-
tunity TO discuss the rate bill situation, 1t Is
regarded as q movement to arrange for con-
certed party action in the interest OF the
amendment offered by Senator Long in
behalf Of the Republican minority, provid-
ing for restricting the Federal Judiciary
in its examination OF the DEGREES of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. Senator
Bailey, the Democratic leader, has not COM
mitted himself in favor Of the suggestion
that a caucus be held, but he has told some
Of his colleagues that there will be no party
conference for ten days at least.
There seems to be no reason to doubt
that a majority Of the Democratic Senators
are in sympathy with the proposal to limit
the jurisdiction Of the courts in respect to
railway rates. But it appears to be equally
true that there is a sufficient number Of
Democrats favorable to unrestricted court
review to make it practically certain that
their votes, added to those of the Republi-
cans who think the same way, will insure
the defeat Of the Long amendment.
Senator Bailey hit close to but some
what under the mark when he said in the
Senate yesterday that only about one-third
of the Republicans are in favor Of limiting
the power Of the courts. OF the IS Re-
publican Senators whose votes can be cast
not more than II, and probably only is
or 10, are willing to support the Long propo-
sition. Seven at the most, and perhaps
only 5, Democratic votes will be necessary
to bring defeat to Mr.. Longs amendment
and to secure the adoption Of a substitute
provision for unlimited review by the judi
ciary.
1t does not follow that because most Of
the Democrats seem to beiwilling to re-
strict the authority Of the courts they will
support the Long amendment. Many
Democratic Senators are aroused over the
belief that President Roosevelt is attempt
ing to influence rate legislation, and they
may show resentment Of this by opposing
whatever is proposed by the small minority
of Republicans who profess to represent
~ -. - Ma &c.,
are naturally anxious to get whatever
political capital is to be secured by their
party by helping to put a rate law on the
statute books. At the same time a con-
siderable number among them are inclined
to believe that interference with the right
Of the Judiciary would be contrary to the
spirit if not the letter OF the Constitution,
and they are not inclined to go on at half
cock merely to give a partisan advantage
through the passage Of a faulty law which
might require additional amendment or
perhaps an entirely new enactment.
Senator Tillman, who is in charge OF the
rate bill, tried to-day to have a date fixed
for voting upon the measure, but was I'M
successful. In the brief debate over Mr..
Tillman's proposal he referred to Mr.. Aid
rich as the Senator who controlled the other
side. This was resented in a good natured
way by Mr.. Spooner, and Mr.. Tillman
made haste to explain that it was a slip
Of the tongue. He was not gifted in the
art Of oral expression, he said, and fire.
ouently used words which did not exactly
conform to his intention. The little episode
was settled by an agreement between Mr..
Spooner and MIR. Tillman that neither
Senator Aldrich nor any other Senator
II-lB A. III 81 h
chamber. And when this agreement had
been reached Mr.. Tillman sat down with
out pressing I rther his effort. to secure
an understanding as to the time for voting
on the bill.
The belief is growing among Senators
that the general debate on the rate bill
will not last longer than two weeks more,
and that a week or ten days will be devoted
to discussing and voting on amendments
Should this idea be fulfilled the final vote
will be taken probably in the concluding
week Of April.
President Roosevelt continued his con-
~ferences to-day with members Of the Senate
in regard to the pending rate legislation,
Three Republicans and one Democrat
went to the White House at the invitation
OF the President. The Republicans were
Senator'S Allison, Long and Nelson, the first
two Of whom were members Of the now
famous conference held at the White House
last Saturday. Mr.. Allison said when he
left the White House:
We talked about different things-far
different. That is. Senator Nelson talked
about one thing and | talked about another"
Senator Rayner was the Democratic
Senator who talked with the President
to-day.