The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-27
TILLMANTO LEAD FIGHT
FOR RATE BILL
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COM
MITTEE REPORTS MEASURE
AS IT PASSED HOUSE.
Honor of Reporting Bill Conferred on
Tillman, A Democrat-Unusual
for Republican Body.

Washington, February 23.-By a
vote of 8 to 5, the senate committee
on commerce today agreed to report
the Hepburn railroad rate bill without
amendment, but the resolution adopt
ed reserves TO the members Of the
committee freedom Of action concern
ing amendments of&ed in the senate.
By a vote Of fve TO three, Republicans
prevailing, Senator Tillman. a demo-
.crat, was given the honor-of reporting
the bill. This establishes precedent
in that republican senate committee
has given to a democrat control Of an
important measure passed by repub-
lican house and endorsed by repub~
liean president. Senators Cullom and
Carmack were absent and their votes
were recorded only on the main prop
osition. The resolution follows:
s'Resolyed that the interstate COM
1nerce committee report favorably
house bill 1887, as it. passed the
house Of representatives, it being un-
derstood that members Of the commit
tee have right to vote as they choose
on amendments or to offer amend
ments in the senate on consideration
of the bill -.
Senator Aldrich moved that the bill
:be reported by Chairman Elkins, but
Senators Dolliver and Tillman pro-
tested that some friend Of the measure
should make the report, and Senator
drseh amended his motion, provld-
iag that The report should be made by
Senator TilIman. He stated that the
democratic members furnished the
majority Of the votes for the bill and
that it was proper to have the MINOR
ify "sfather it, This was taken by
Senators Doliiuer and Clapp as an ef-
fort to irumiaiabe them, but they re-
nained silent. Chairman Elkins sug-
sested that the report should be made
by Senator Doaliver, who has been one
of them who drafted the Hepburn bill,
and a leader in the fight to prevent
the adoption Of amendments: Only
Senator Ciapp supported this sugges-
ton, which had been made informally.
A vote was then had on the question
who should report the bill, resulting
as follows:
For Senator Tillman-Aldrich,
Kean, Foraker, Crane and McLaurln.
For Senator Dolliver-Elkins.
Clapp and Newlands. ,
Not voting--Dolliver, Tillman and
Foster. 49, .
Senator Tillman, who was deslgnat-
ed to report the~Hepburn bill said al
ter the committee adjourned:
"It was an unexpected and IN one
sense an undesired honor and respon-
sibility that was thrust upon me- AS
far as T am able Twill endeavor to
secure the passage Of the bill through
the senate with such amendments as
will make it more acceptable to the
business interests Of the country and
remedy the evils which have produced
such widespread agitation. The poll
CIV is essentially democratic. The pro-
posed bill has the unanimous sup
port of the democrats Of the house
and I hope that with few slight
amendments it will get the same sup
port in the senate.'
Senator Tillman said that one OF
the most essential amendments ne
should endeavor to procure looks to
.sthe absolute divorce Of public car
riers." as such from the production OF
coal as miners, which condition OF
monopoly has created such a strong
feeling Of dissatisfaction and anger IN
the bituminous and anthracite coal re-
gions.'
He has already drafted an amend
ment covering this point. He saie
that something also ought to be done
:, to compel the trunk lines 70 make CON
nection with the spurs and feeding
lines and give them fair treatment II
the distribution Of cars and offe1
equal facilities with other shippers.
Senator Tillman stated that III max
ing the report on the bill he woule
prepare a formal analysis for presen
tation to the senate, but that the re