Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-02-03
A WORD ABOUT STATEHOOD
AND PHILIPPINE TARIFF
Only Concession That President
Might Sign Hamilton Bill With
Referendum Amendment
Attached,

Washington, Feb. president
Roosevelt is not trying to dictate to
congress what it shall do or not do, re-
garding railroad rate legislation or any
other problem of legislation. He has
not delivered to the senate or to the
house any sort OF an "ultimatum" on
subjects of legislation. and has not
held over the heads of congress the
threat of an extraordinary session" If
he does not obtain the legislation for
which he is hoping.
This statement is made by authorl-
ty; also that suggestions of compro-
mise of any sort on rate regulation
which do not embody the substance of
the presidents message on the subject
have not appealed to the president. 1t
can also be said that he doubtless
would refuse to accept a compromise
which would affect any essential feat
ure OF the proposed legislation. What
Is known as the Hepburn bill now un-
der discussion by the house embodies
substantially the presidents views as
set forth In his last annual message. In
the early days of the present session
he thought the measure proposed by
the interstate commerce commission
was the most practicable offered, but
after mature consideration 1t seemed
to him that the Hepburn bill was the
better.
Members of the senate committee on
interstate commerce have assured the
president that either the Hepburn bill
or measure resembling Ii in essen
tial features will be reported to the
senate. The report Of the senate COM
mittee will not be unanimous but It
will represent the views of a majority
of the members. The report will be
supported, 1t is expected by Senators
Cullom, Dolliver and Clapp and possi-
bly, by other republicans, and by the
democratic members of the committees
It can be stated that while the presi-
dent desired that such rate regulation
shall be established as he has recon-
mended. he is firm i'm his attitude that
the railroads as well as shippers shall
be dealt with entirely justly. He wants
nothing In the law that would affect
unfairly the rights or property of the
railroads. He Is confident that legisla-
tlon to be framed substantially on the
lines Of the Hepburn measure will
prove fair alike to the railroads and to
the people. He is not trying to dictate
matters OF detail, and Of course wiz
preserve an open mind as to proposed
amendments which do not affect the
material and substantial features of
the bill.
NO STATEHOOD CONCESSION.
The president Is Interested deeply In
both the Philippine tariff and the
statehood measure. Concessions as to
either one of them have not, It Is stat
ed, been given serious consideration.
At the White House IL Is understood
that an effort Is 10 be made In the sem
ate first, to eliminate Arizona and New
Mexico from consideration as a joint
state, and II that should fail, secondly
10 Incorporate In the statehood bill n
provision for the reference Of the
question Of joint statehood to the vot-
ers of the two territories. II Is too car
ly yet TO say with any degre Of accu-
racy what the result of the latter pro-
position may be.
Senator Beverldge of Indiana. chair
man Of the committee ON territories.
has assured the president. that In his
Judgment the measure as Il stands ul-
tlmately will be enacted into law. That
4 would be as the president desires. but
Il Is not unlikely that he would sign
y the bill even II II were sent to him
with the referendum provision in-
cIuded.
Philippine Blll Also.
A vigorous fight Is being made on