West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-02-22
OUR Washington LETTER.
The Rate Bill Of Senator ElkinS Pre-
pared by Railroad Attorneys.
WEDDING AT THE WHITE HOUSE
And Some Of The Present For The
Brido-Tho Couple 60 South
TO Spend Their Honeymoon.
Rosulat correspondent Of rhe Atrns =.

NASHl NGroN, Feb. 70, 1900. -
The Rate Bill, the Shipping Bill and
the Pure Food Bill, in all of which
the people are virtually interested,
are all of them hanging fire with the
prospect of being modified Just
enough TO rob each of them of any
beneficial features. The fight on
the tate bill is being made ostensibly
FOR the inclusion of the right of
review by the courts of the findings
of the commission. This right of
review would naturally obtain, as
any citizen has right to have re.
course to the courts. But il IS a
good thing to fight for its inclusion
in the bill, for two reasons. In the
first place, it makes the appeal
natural proceeding on the part of
the roads, under the wording OF the
act. They would appeal anyhow
in the frs, few cases, but with this
provision IN the bill they will be
legally justified in fighting each in
dividual case, and with the amount
of money and legal talent at their
disposal, the roads would naturally
be able to wear out any Of the
smaller shippers and make the find
ings OF the Commission absolutely
of no effect. Then the fright of
review" provision is convenient as it
enables the Senate to make longer
fight and will help to exact the last
measure Of compromise from the
| House.
Senator Elkins says that the bill
he has prepared as a substitute for
the Hepburn Bill is an exact reflex
of the words Of the President in re-
commenting rate legislation. So it
is in parts. And it also includes a
number of things that the President
did not say in his message. II is
said that the Elkins measure was
drawn by number OF lawyers "who
have had great experience in rail
road matters" This OF course
simply means corporation lawyers
who would not be likely to frame
any measure that did not at least
partially meet the requirements of
their employers, the railroads 1t
is pointed out also as great piece
Of self sacrifice that Senator Elkins
has paid the bills for drawing this
measure out Of his own pocket. OF
course Senator Elkins has enough
money TO pay for throne or almost
anything he wants, but il is not
likely that a lot Of railroad lawyers
would be very exacting in their
charges on bill Of presentation of
Congress and vitally affecting the
dividend earning powers of the roads
which pay them their salaries. This
bit of grand stand play is recorded
and may be taken for what it is
worth.
The Preparations for Miss Alice
Roosevelrs wedding to Represent
ative Nicholas LongwoTth are going
forward as quietly as these days Of
yellow and personal newspaper work
will permit. OF course the event is
not one Vt national and international
interest. All the arrangements are
being discussed in print to the
minutest detail. II is only in the
brcadest way that the general public
has any legitimate interest in them.
OF course the Accommodations al the
White House arc not such as to
allow very large crowd, and good
taste precludes the possibility Of
such Neither the House nor the
Senate as a body are 20 be present.
The Cabinet will Of course be there
and the members Of the Supreme
Court. In tins connection, Chief
Justice Fuller has issued very
sensible pronumciamento that il will
be in good taste for the members Of
the court to send only flowers as
gifts 20 the bride. After the Cabi. !
net and ;hc Supreme Court, the |
only members OF the Senate TO be /
invited are those who have held !
positions in previous cabinets.
This reduces the number to seven |
aud is such ss 90 occasion no hard |
feeling. There will be The close |
personal faends and the members /
Of the two families and the members |
Of the Diplomatic Corps to be |
provided for This will about fll !
the East Room where 'he ceremony /
IS to be performed.
Naturally the girls will be interest.
ed il knowing the nature and the
number of the presents. Well girls,