The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-19
CONFERENCE on RATE BILL.
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS AGREE
TO DISAGREE.
Ten ofi5hem Apparently in Favor OF the
BrOadest COurt Reyiew-Tbesep With
the Conservative Republicans. Con.
Ntitute a Ma Jority of the Senate,

stitute a Majority OF the Senate
WASHINGTON, April ia conference
Of Democratic Senators to-day, called in
the hope, if not the expectation, that an
agreement to act in concert on the rail-
way rate regulation bill would be the out
come, resulted .abortively. 1t showed that
the Democrats we're apparently at skies
and sevens over the various amendments
to the bill. The most important develop
ment was that about ten Of the minority
party in the Senate favor a liberal court
review provision, for which the greater
number Of Republican Senators have been
contending. Every Democratic Senator
in the city who was not III was present
at the conference.
II took the Democratic Senators from II
o'clock this morning until S o'clock this
afternoon, with a short intermission for
luncheon, to agree to disagree, The con-
ference would have lasted longer had 1t
not been for a misunderstanding which
resulted int an adjournment during the
temporary absence Of Senator Bailey.
the recognized leader Of the minority. 1t
was Senator Rayner Of Maryland. a new
member, who moved to adjourn
Mr.. Bailey had been trying to secure
something in the nature of an informal
agreement to accept his amendment limit
ing the powers of the courts to suspend
orders Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission pending judicial review. He was
called from the conference room for a few
minutes, and while he was away Mr.. Ray
ner, observing that a lull had occurred in
the proceedings and being somewhat
fatigued, moved an adjournment. The
motion was carried, and when Mr.. Bailey
returned he was in anything but a pleasant
frame Of mind. The. Senators adjourned
without any suggestion Of meet ing again
and it lie probable that no further conference
will be held.
Nearly every Senator present expressed
his views. The principal speeches were
made by Senators Daniel of Virginia and
Newlands of Nevada II was disclosed
from what was said that among the Sena-
ton who opposed the amendment Of Mr..
Bailey to restrict action by the courts we're
Senators Culberson Of Texas. Clark Of
Montana, Foster and McEnery Of Louisiana,
Morgan and Pettus Of Alabama. Clay and
Bacon Of Georgia, Frazier Of Tennessee,
Tahaferro Of Florida and Newlands of
Nevada. Most Of them said they believed
the amendment was unconstitutional and
for that reason objected to it.
Very little consideration was given to
the matter Of a court review. AT the
morning session Mr.. Bailey, in reply to a
question, suggested that his amendment
provided for only a limited court review.
lie expressed the opinion that a broader
court review was afforded under the Hep
burn bill.
The conference showed that about ten
Democrats were favorable to the Broadcast
possible review, which accords with the
stimate made by the conservative Repub-
lican Senators OF their adhercnts on the
Democratic side. These Republicans. h
watched to-day'a conference with great
interest. hold that at least thirty-nine
Republicans and ten Democrats will support
a broad court review amendment. This
means a majority of five for the conserva-
tives. Few Republicans, perhaps only one,
Senator Hale of Maine, will support Mr.,
Bailey's amendment, and ever the Demo
Gratis admit IL as foredoomed TO failure.
There was some discussion to-day Of
amendments proposed by Senators NAL
lory, Simmons and Overman. A sugges-
ton was made that one or more OF these
amendments was satisfactory to the Presi-
dent, the reference being to those OF Mallory
and Simmons, with preferences on the
Presidents part for the former. One
Southern Senator remarked that he wound
not be influenced by that consideration
and would decline to become a tail to
the Presidents kite"
Senators Teller Of Colorado, Dubois Of
Idaho, Clark Of Arkansas and Money Of
Mississippi declared that they, were con,
tent to vote for the pending Hepburn bill
unamended,
After the conference some Senators
who are opposed to making changes ex,
pressed the opinion that the general trend
Of sentiment in the conference indicated
that all but ten, possibly fewer Democratic
Senators would support the Hepburn bill
unamended if an agreement upon proposed
new provisions could not be reached. This
view does not accord with that of the liberal
review people, who have made a careful
canvass of the Senate and claim 20, be salts
fed hat the bill will be amended as they
desire, If the measure is SO amended
they will Join with the more radical sup
rorters Of the legislation in voting for 1t.