Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-15


ferences concerning court-review features
and other proposed amendments that had
made a unanimous report from the commit
tee Impossible.
Without hesitancy the senator declared it
to be his belief that the bill should be
amended but that amendments should not
be of character to impair or prevent the
accomplishment of the objects of the Iegis-
lation, which are set forth best, he says, IN
the Presidents message to Cong1 He
emphasized the need of regarding the meas
ure as non-partisan, but predicted that the
presidential election.
Mr.. Tillman prefaced his report by speak.
ing of the peculiar circumstances ruling the
committees actions on the House bill which
mace 1t an embarra ssing task to submit
views that would be concurred in by the
committee as whole. Commenting upor.
the absence of harmony in the commuters
deliberations, the report says:
Party Lines Broken.
Instead of being amended in commit
tee, as Is usual, so as to command as a
whole the Endorsement and support of a
majority OF its members the bill was
brought into the Senate in a form not en-
tlrely satisfactory to more than two men,
bers. Party lines in the committee were
broken down and the bill is in the Senate
by reason of the union of five members of
the minority party and three members of
the majority party In Congress who con-
Cured in reporting it favorably and while
these eight senators are agreed as to the
general purpose and scope of the bill there
are radical differences among them Ms 10
the amendments that ought to be incorpor-
ated In it to make II fully adequate TO meet
the demands of the business interests of the
country at this time
This lack OF harmony among the SIM
porters of the bil-it would be speaking
with more accuracy to say the supporters
OF the policy involved in the bill-brngs
about the anomalous situation in which a
member of the minority party in Congress
is put In charge in the Senate of proposed
legislation which Is generally regarded
throughout the country as the cherished
scheme OF the President, with whose gem
eral policy and principles that member is
not in accord. At the same time the bill
is designed to carry into effect his own
long-cherished convictions and the thrice
reiterated demands of the party to which
he belongs"
Emphasizing the claim that this condi-
ton is wothout precedent In legislative
history, Mr.. Tillman says II brings into
prominence the fact that the proposed leg
islation is non-partisan, and is so recog-
nized as result Of the unanimous sup
port given 1t by the minority in the House
and the few opposing votes-only seven
In that entire body. 1T therefore follows
says Mr. Tillman eff events shall prove
that this measure has broken down party
lines in both branches of Congress that
the conclusion will be almost inevitable
that 1t will be framed so TO accomplish
the results intended or claimed to be in
tended by both parties, and to this end
democrats and republicans alike should
bend all their energies and lead all that is
best In them to perfecting and passing so
important a piece of legislation
Warned by Tillman.
There would follow "a cyclone of passion
ate resentment" said Mr.. Tillman in pre-
dieting what would be the result OF failure
on the part of Congress to meet the wide
spread demand for railroad rate legislation.
He declared that woe will be the har-
vest OF any member of the Senate or
House whose work in formulating bill
to regulate railroads lacks earnestness or
honesty of purpose, and who shall seek to
belittle the question or kill the bill by sub
terfuge and deception. The Constitution
gives to Congress the power to regulate the
railroads he contended, and there are many
wrongs to right.
Tillman characterized as loosely worded
and capable of different interpretations.
Discussing the alleged inadequacy of the
measure he said IT 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 VIII deny. In thus com
mentIng upon the bill, Mr.. Tillman said he
can claim to give expression TO no opinion
except his own. The object sought. he
added. best can eoutlined in the language
of the President In his last annual message
TO Congress, and from this the senator
quoted extensively.
Mr. T1llman pointed out that 1t is gen.
orally supposed that the pending measure
embodies the "well-digested visws OF the
executive and those of his party whose ad-
vice he consents to take.
The Most Important Provision.
After enumerating the essential changes
from the existing laws regulating interstate
commerce. he stated that the most impor-
tant is found in section 10, in which power
Is sought to be vested In the interstate
commerce commission after full hear
ing upon complaint made to deter
mine and prescribe what will in its
Judgment be the just and reasonable and
fairly remunerative rate to be there
after observed in such case as the maximum
to be charged" and to make an order that
the same shall go into effect and remain In
force for three years, which order shall
Ego into effect thirty days after notice to
the carrier. and shall remain in force and