Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-08
MANY AMENDMENTS DEFEATED.
Debate Closed on the Hepburn Rail-
way Rate Bill.

Representative Hepburn of Iowa, chair
man of the interstate and foreign commerce
committee, made the closing speech in the
House yesterday on the railway rate bill
that bears his name He made his argu-
ment In his usual sturdy manner, inter
spersed with humorous references. and was
frequently applauded. He closed at O'Clock
and asked at once for the reading of the
bill.
After the first section had been read Mr..
Grosyenor (Ohio) stated that he had recon-
sidered his intention to offer an amendment
prohibiting railroad officials from owning
Industrial properties along the lines of their
roads.
An amendment was presented by Mr.. I'm
derwood (Ala-) extending the regulations of
the existing laws and the proposed bill to
express companies.
Mr.. Townsend made the statement that
the bill really included express companies
and Pullman cars under the language IN
strumentalities'' of traffic.
On a vote by tellers the amendment was
defeated 119 to 140.
A number offother amendments were de-
defeated, among them being:
BY Mr.. STEVENSON (Minn), to include ex-
express companies; by Mr.. stephens (Tex.),
to add postal cars and terminal facilities;
by Mr.. Hardwfck (Ga.), to include sleeping
cars; by Mr.. Shackleford (Mo), to add
LONG and short haul clause by Mr.. Prince
Qll). TO require all roads after 1910 to own
the cars run over their roads; by Mr.. Shep-
pard CTex.), to include carriers wholly by
water" by Mr.. James (ky), to require re-
ports every six months; by Mr.. Lamar
(Fla.) to relieve Pennsylvania from the coal
trust; by Mr.. w. A. Smith (Mich.). requiring
redemption of mileage books; by Mr.. Hard
wick (Ga), including telegraph and tele-
phone companies; by Mr.. Clayton (Ala,), an
amendment to give rate cases precedence In
the courts; by Mr.. Stanley (Ky). an amend
ment to strike out the word knowingly
in defining violations of the law: by Mr..
Southwick On. W. to prevent discrimination
in appointment of special agents because of
race or previous condition of servftude; by
Mr.. Littlefield (Me). to repeal that section
of the Interstate commerce act giving juris-
diction to the commission to Initiate an
inquiry as to rates: another prohibiting the
commission from adjudacating complaints
as to preferential" rates. and third re-
lating to court procedure; by Mr.. Shacl<le-
ford (Mo.), several amendments providing
for freight classification; by Messrs. Suili-
van (Mass.) and Clayton (Alal. regarding
appeals to the courts; by Mr.. Sibley Pa.).
to increase the salaries of commissioners TO
SIP. 600 a year: by Mr.. James (Ky), making
1t a felony for railroad officials to make
campaign contributions.
An anti-pass amendment by Mr.. Gaines
Tenn.) caused some amusement, as MIR.
Gaines insisted on discussing its merits. and
was continuously applauded. you must all
have your passes in your pockets" he ejac-
ulated; shaking his finger toward the re-
publican side. On q vote by tellers the
amendment was defeated 90 to 137.
Mr.. Sulzer On. W offered his bill as an
amendment but 1t went out on point OF
order.
1t was GAS O'Clock when all amendments
were disposed of. All proposed changes had
been rejected and the bill was reported to
the House exactly as 1t came from Mr..
Hecburns committee.
Mr. Gaines pursued his anti-pass campaign
further by endeavorfng to recommit the bill
to committee with instructions to report his
amendment on it. This failed. A roll call
was demanded on the passage of the bill
Just as it was about to begin the House al
6:55. adjourned until today noon.