New-York tribune., 1906-02-24
RITTER FIGHT AHEAD.
Bills Passage Conceded, Amend
uents To Be Storms Centre.


rsy The Associated Pressl
Washington Feb. 2s--In spite OF the fac'
.hs+ ,ha Senate was not in session to-day,
hearty ell Of the Senators were drawn 10 lhe
ran,tol bv the contest in the Interstate Com
,oerca Committee As soon as the result was
known speculation began as TO the probable
,rooesure on the floor. II was predicted that
there would be delays and all sorts OF OBJ
Etructive tactics used.
This was contradicted however. by Senators
Aldrich and Crane and other leading Senators
not members Of the Interstate Commerce Com
snittee. They said they would favor seeking an
agreement whereby the bill could be placed on
the calendar Is unfinished business aheao
If the Statehood bill They said they thought
tbe rroninence given the railroad rate question
ana the interest the people Of the whole
United States had taken IN It entitled It to
early consideration II was agreed. however
on all sides. that the discussion must be pro-
longed and that undoubtedly II would be as bit
Ter as any that has ever taken place in the
Senate AS all factions concede that the Hep
burn bill VIII pass the Senate, the only contest
win be over an effort 10 incorporate into the bin
some provision for court review Of orders or The
Interstate Commerce Commission
in discussing the action Of the committee in
reporting the bill. Senator Dolliver tonight
said:
The action OF the Senate committee is en-
tirey satisfactory TO me. The one thing about
81 which is important is the fact that IL places
the bill. which the House Of Representatives
passed with only seven dissenting votes. on the
calendar OF the Senate; where nothing can hap
pen 10 IL which does not happen in broad day.
light. after full public discussion
The Senators who favor this legislation care
nothing who reports st. Their interest is to get
II reported and acted upon IN an open and
straightforward way. All they ask is that this
bill be put TO q votes. They have to-day taken
IN important step in that direction.
FAVOR COURT REVIEW.
Senators Aldrich and Crane authorized the
statement that four Of the FIVE Republicans who
rast their votes against the bill would have
roted for It IL It had contained the addition
Of provision for review. They are Messrs.
z1kdns. Aldrich, Kean and Crane Senator For
Rker is opposed 10 the principle involved in the
bin and would have voted against it even with
the court provision added, but with that add!-
ZION his would have been the only negative vote.
Senator Tillulan. who was designated by the
Committee TO report the Hepburn bin. said after
the committee adjourned:
II was an unexpected and in one sense an un-
desired honor and responsibility that was thrust
upon me. As far as / am able I will endeaYor to
secure the passage Of the bin through the Sen
ate, with such amendments as viii make il more
acceptable TO the business interests Of the coun-
try ana remedy the evils which have produced
Fuch widespread agitation. The policy IS essen
tislly democratic. The proposed bin had the
unanimous support Of the Democrats of the
House, and hope that, with a few slight amend
ments, IL viii get the same support IN the Sem
ete
Senator Tillman said that one OF the most
essential amendments he should endeavor to
procure looks 10 the absolute divorce of the
public carriers, IS such, from the production of
coal as miners. which condition of monopoly
has created such a strong feeling Of dissatisfac-
ton and anger IN The btuminous and anthracite
coal regions" He has already drafted an
amendment covering tins point He said that
something ought 10 be done 10 compel the trunJ,
lines 70 make connection with spurs ana feed
ing lines and 10 give fair treatment in the dis
ubulon Of cars and offer equal facilities with
other shippers
N senator Tillmau added that IN making the
report on The bin he would not prepare a formal
analysis for presentation 10 the senate ~ +Ia+
lhe report would simply transmit the action -
me Senate together with the synopsis Of the
tesuInony taken before the committee He has
not yet taken into consideration the question Of
bringing the bill before the Senate bnt cid
that he would press il with the view of having
The discussion begun as soon as convenient and
possible.
SENATOR ELKINS'S PLANS.
senator Elklns characterized il as a 'solecisn'
70 have Democrat report from a Republican
committee 10 a Republican Senate a bill which
had been reported by Republican committee
IN the House ana passed by Republican House
lie believed that the bin should have been ir
charge Of Senator Dolyer who had insisted
Thar u he reported as it came from the House
especially as IT was finally reported In that
shape. He said that he would have voted fol
the bil If the committee had allowed one amend.
nent which he had proposed and which vitality
affected the interests OF his State, West yir.
ginia- This amendment was as follows:
That carriers of interstate commerce shall
upon application, pat IN all necessary switche,
10 meet wants Of shippers make PROMPT con.
nections and operating arrangements with con.
meeting branch or lateral lines, reasonab bic ant
aust division OF through rates ard make reason.
able and Just allowances 10 connecting latera
or branch lines for originating freight In cas-,