Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-27
VOTE on The RATE BILL
Mr., Tillman viii Ask the Senate to Set
Time for Final Action.
MANY AMENDMENTS ARE SUBMITTED
Principal Speeches of the nay
Are by Overman and Teller
Several Minor Bills
Passed.

WASHINGTON, March 26.-There was a
hint in the senate today at an effort to
fix a time for a final vote on the railroad
rate bill. but it was surrounded by such
circumstances and doubt that no prediction
as to the time would be justified. Mr.. Till-
man stated that he would bring the matter
up in the senate tomorrow and unless OBJ
lection was then made he may ask to have
a day specified.
The suggestion as 10 time arose In con-
nsction with the more or less serious effort
on the part of a number Of senators to
secure immediate consideration of amend
ments offered by themselves. Mr.. Tillman
resisted all attempts OF that kind in tho
absence Of many senator's, saying that
votes ought not to be taken without full
notice to senators. Among the provisions
offered were:
BY Mr.. Foraker-Prohibiting the issuance
of passes; by Mr.. Scott compelling rail-
roaus to connect with other railroads, and
by Mr.. CulDerson, denying to interstate
roads the privilege OF making campaign
contributions.
Mr. Overman made general speech in
support Of the bill and Mr. Teller spoke
at length against undue haste in consider
ing the question.
When the senate opened today Mr.. Till
man presented letter from Millard f. Sny-
der of Clarksburg, W. Va, relating to the
Determinations Of railroads in that state
against independent coal operators by the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company. The
letter began by stating that the people of
West Virginia had begun to look upon Mr.
Tillman as their senator.
The following bills were passed:
Granting right-of-way through Fort
KeOgh military reservation in Montana to
the Chicago. Milwaukee St Paul Rail-
way company.
Amending the law relative to the allot-
ment OF lands In the EIathead Indian reser-
walton in Montana.
Address by Mr.. OvermAn.
Mr.. Overman then addressed the senate
! on the railroad rate bill, announcing his
intention 20 support the house bill, with
some amendments, which would strengthen
/ it,
| He expressed apprehension that unless
there was some wise legislation the result
would be government ownership. Mr.. over
| man declared that the roads by their dis
elimination were driving many men out Of
/ business Mr. Overman objected to the use
OF the words fairly remunerative" as de-
scrptive OF railroad rates, because IL would
involve complications and misconception.
''Why not" he asked. adopt the Ian
Euage of the constitution?"
Mr.. Overman asserted that the entire
railroad system OF the country was con-
trolled by six commissions and further
more, that they were so blended I'm effect
that they were practically one concern.
They are so banded and bound to-
iGetiier BY the s9osSst ties fDr mutual ah-
vantage as to constitute one gigantic
entity" he added.
Mr.. Overnlan spoke an hour. Mr.. Till
man made an effort to get the senate to
fix the time for taking vote Mr.. Kean
arose while Mr. Tillman was speaking and
the South Carolina senator addressed his
remarks to him. The New Jersey senator
declared that he had no desire to hinder
the fixing Of a time for voting. but on
the contrary would help to get a day fixed
as soon as those who wanted to speak have
had an opportunity to do so.
Foraker Submits Amendment.
Mr.. Foraker then presented his amend
ment prohibiting the issuance by the rail-
road companies of passes and extending
the prohibition to passes for the cars Of
officials Of one railroad over other lines
and he asked Mr. Tillman IL he would not
accept it.
Mr.. Tillman replied that IL he had the
committee with him he would accept the
amendment, but he thought that il would
be better to pass an original bill which
we could send on its way rejoicing to
the other house so as TO avoid the melee
In which the rate bill is sure 10 be In
volved"
After further discussion Mr.. Tillman sug-
gested that the amendment go over. Mr..
Foraker consented, but added that 1t was
his intention TO press it.
Mr.. Scott called attention to his amend
ment compelling railroads to make bust
ness connections with other lines and asked
Mr.. Tillman to accept It. The reply in
this case was. similar to that made in the
first case, Mr.. Tnlman saying that he
would accept 1t II he could, but that he
had no authority 10 do so. discussion
over this point followed. Mr.. Tillman ex-
pressed his disapproval of the present
method OF voting on the bill and all amend
ments at the same time and said that
when time was fixed for voting on the
railroad bill he would ask that the vote
begin on the amendments two or three
days in order to permit Of explanation.
Campaign Fund Amendment.
Mr.. Culberson asked 10 have his amend
ment prohibiting railroads and other cor
porations from making contributions to
campaign funds considered and indicated
]
Tilman expressed the opinion that owing
10 the absence Of many senators there
should be no vote on any amendment and
Mr.. Culberson assented 10 this decision as
! fair.
Mr.. Tillman responded that he would to-
morrow ask the senate 10 set a time 10
vote and that when thac decree was is
sued he would prepare an order OF pro-
ceedng for submission TO the senate.
Mr.. Teller referred 10 the pressure for
! action, but expressed the opinion that the
senate should not be Influenced by public
Clamor. "On one thing we may be GER
tain" he said, and that is that some rate
bill will become a law before the final
adjournment Of congress"
The Colorado senator expressed the opin-
ion that no senator was opposed to a re-
view OF the decisions OF the Interstate
Commerce commission BY the courts The
difference OF opinion referred only TO the
method OF proceeding. He proceeded Ia
} the charge that many of the senators were
| railroad attorneys and added:
, II have no doubt that large number OF
/ senators have been railroad attorneys and
] al