New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-22
RATE BILL DISCUSSED.
THE PRESIDENT NEUTRAL
Cart ReUieso amendment Consid-
ered IN White House Conference.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

.-rest conferences this afternoon between the
o-,sisent. Republican leaders Of the House and
s,ste and Cabinet members the President an
,rnoed his complete neutrality between the fac
..,rS in The Senate Committee on Interstate
r,rrmerce which are contending over the judi
Al review amendment 70 the rate bill
I, the same conference the difference OF opin-
q, herween the two Republican factions in the
.-rrittee over that amendment was more
- ,..-lv demonstrated than ever. Senators Clapp
,ns Doliver refused 10 consent TO the amend
r,snf proposed by the conservative Senators and
,su fight il in committee. They will be neither
.,corraged nor hindered by the President The
resut Of the Presidents attitude will be a
,-,rpt show of strength in the committee. The
senator's who favor judicial review assert that
.bsv viii have three Democratic votes for the
s,sndrent II IS not possible 10 substantiate
tbis statement as the Democrats are reticent on
he subject awaiting decisive moves by the Re
pubicans
The conferences began about noon Those
who took part IN them included Senator Knox.
Senator Crane early in the day. and later on At
torney General Moody. Speaker Cannon, Secrs-
,ary Root. representative Hepburn. Senator
Iolhver and Senator Clapp.
The purpose of the Senators who favor amend
roeut was 10 secure the concurrence Of the Presi-
dert in the Knox plan for judicial review. ex-
pectine thereby 10 influence Senators Clapp and
DoIliver and present united Republican front
in committee. They We're encouraged to make
tbe test to-day because last night they thought
they had secured the assent OF the Attorney
General t7 the amendment and felt that his
advice would have weight with the President
and the anri-amendnent Senators. Much TO
their surprise they found the Attorney General
He was standing by the President in his position
q neutrality. They We're gratihed, however.
that the President did not aggressvely align
himself with Senators Clapp and Dolliver-
CONFERENCE NOT HARMONIOUS.
Senator Knox was ready with the draft Of an
amendment which viii carry out the idea OF ju-
dlcial review Il soon became apparent that no
harmony II opinion existed among the confer
rees The President was appealed TO by Sena-
tors Knox and Crane 10 repeat the suggestion
be made in his message 70 Congress, but he de-
cined 10 exert any pressure OF. influence on the
conference. There was some plain talk. and the
argument al times became animated and ear
nest. views being presented with great vigor.
The pro-amenduent Senator's are inclined 10
lay favorable stress on the neutral attitude OF
ihe President. They say that so long as he does
not positively oppose the judicial review amend
uent there is hope Of securing sufficient Demo-
cratic votes 70 put II in the Till in committee.
They confidently assert that there VIZ be
enough votes in the Senate, when the bill is re-
ported, 70 amend it
Al the final conference, IN addition TO the
President Attorney General Moody. Speaker
Cannon. Senators Dolliver and Clapp and Rep
reszurative Hepburn. chairman of the House
reroe. were present The conferrees gathered
ia the Presidents Office at 3.3O p N. and re-
NAMED En- session until nearly o'clock While
they were ia consUltatiOn number OF proTni-
nent officials and Congressman called, but were
Informed that the President would be engaged
for some time and were advised 10 call later In
the day OF make appointments for tomorrow.
When the conference ended the members hUr-
NED our of thu White House as II they were due
z: the railroad station IN three or four minutes.
We have agreed" exclaimed Senator Dol
liver. in his most impressive voice; then he add
ed, as Il an afterthought had occurred TO him.
mot 10 say anything about the consultation
About the only conclusion reached was that
there was no conclusion" And the Senator
climbed into his carriage with Senator Clapp
and hurried ava.
We were merely discussing love and flowers
and poetry" said Speaker Cannon. as he stood
IN the doorway, waiting for his carriage.
Railroad rates were discussed. were they
not2" be- was asked.
"No." D. exclaimed, eTnphatically- Love and
flowers and poetry. I did most Of the talking.
for know the most about love. I cannot say
anything more for I never talk about what the
President has told ne" Then the Speaker fol-
lowed Senators Dolliyer and Clapp out into the
rsin
Colonel Hepburn shook his head emphatcally
Ehen be was asked for his views, and Attorney
General Moody could add nothing TO the sum or
nteligence on the subject
PRESIDENT SPEAKS FRANKLY.
Although nothing was given out officially after
The conference. il is understood on good au-
ihorty that the strength and weakness, the
merits and demerits. Of the Hepburn bill were
thoroughly cauvassed. The President expressed
his views ith his usual frankness, and. as in
former talks with members Of the Senate ana
Hovse assured his callers that he was not
pledged no any particular bin or amendment. and
would regard the substance rather than the
form Of any measure that was finally agreed
or. and would reserve his final decision until the
Committees of the two houses had agreed on a
OIL thar embodies IN their opinion the best legis-
laior which could be framed 10 meet the de-
Hanls n The situation. The Presidents posi-
Aon has been so uneQuivocally set forth in his
messages and speeches-perhaps more notably
u-er aryH here else IN his address at Chicago be-
.Oie ;ne IroQuois Club-that the members or
"''A houses q Congress are familiar with his
sentiments and need 10 further enlightenment
oh the subject. II the bin which IS finally pre-
pared does not meet his views Oh the vital points
Ee President viii not be backward in telling
=" trainers 50. ard. IL necessary. IN exercising
AA pr-ruga;iye under the Constitution But