The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-16

nous report from the committee impos-
sible.
Without hesitancy. the Senator declared
it to be his belief that the bill should be
amended but that amendments should
not be of a character to impair or pre-
vent the accomplishment of the objects
of the legislation, which are set forth
best. he says in the Presidents message
to Congress. He emphasized the need OF
regarding the measure as non-partlsan.
but predicted that the issue created will
be paramount in the next Presidential
election. As to the effect he said:
S"Those who are responsible for delay
! of inadequate legislation will find that
when at last the fiood-gates of popular
wrath and indignation are hoisted, there
will have been SOME of the grinding
DONE"
Mr.. Tillman prefaced his report by
speaking of the peculiar circumstances
of the committees rulings on the House
bill. which made it an embarrassing task
to submit views that would not be con-
CURED in by the committee as whole.
Commenting upon the absence of har-
mony in the committee deliberations, the
report said:
Comments on Absence of Harmony.
Instead of being amended in committee
as is usual. so as TO command as whole
the endorsement and support of major
ityzof its members, the bill was brought
into the senate in alform, not entirely sat
isfactory to more than two members.
Party lines in the committee were broken
down and the bill is in the senate by rea-
son of the union of Ave members of the
minority party andsthree members of the
majority party in congress who concurred
in reporting 1t favorably and while the
eight senator's are agreed as to the general
purpose and scope of the bill, there are
radical differences among, them as to the
amendments that ought to be Incorporated
in it to make IT fully adequate to meet
the demands Of the business In the country
at this time.
This lack of harmony among the sup
porters of the bill brings about the ano-
malous situation In which a member of
the minority party in congress is put in
charge In the senate of proposed legisla-
ton which is generally regarded through
out the country as the cherished scheme
OF the President with whose general policy
and principles that member is not In ac-
cord
This condition. said Mr.. Ti1lman DEM
onstrates the non-partisanship of the
measure.
There would follow a cyclone of pas
sionate resentment. said Mr. Tillman in
predicting what would be the result of
failure on the part Of congress to meet
the widespread demand for railroad rate
legislation.
Many Wrongs to Right.
The constitution gives to congress the
power to regulate the railroads. he con-
tended, and there are many wrongs to
right.
The bill as 1t came from the house Mr..
Tiilman characterized as Loosely worded
and capable OF different iterpretations.
Discussing the alleged inadequacy of the
measure he said at is the duty Of the
senate TO make such amendments as shall
produce the best possible law and relieve
the distress and wrong, the existence of
which no one will deny
The object sought he added. best can
be outlined in the language of the presi-
dent in his last annual message.
Mr. Tillman pointed out that 1t is gen
orally supposed that the pending measure
enibodles the well digested views of the
executive aod those Of his party who adj
vice he consents 10 take After enumer-
ating the essential charges from the ex-
stirg laws regulating interstate COM
merce. he stated that the most important
IL found in section u. In which power IL