The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1906-05-26
SENATE PASSES
THE RATE BILL
FORAKER, MORGAN AND PETTUs
ONLY SENATORS VOTING
IN NEGATIVE.
MEMORABLE FIGHT is ENDED
FlFTY-EIGHT SPEECHES MADE
DURING SEVENTY DAYS
DELlBERATION

Washington, May 10. - After sew
enty days of almost continuous de-
liberation the senate yesterday at
4:53 p. m. passed the railroad rate
bill by the practically unanimous
vote of II to 8. The three negative
votes were cast by Senators Foraker
(Rep., Ohio) and Morgan and Pettus
Dem, Ala.). There was a somewhat
larger attendance of senators than
usual, but the attendance in the gal
leries was by no means abnormal,
and there was no manifestation of
any kind when the result was an
nounced. There was, however, an al
most general sigh of relief among
senators.
Fifty-Eiqht Speeches Made.
The bill has received more atten.
ton from the senate and from the
country at large than any measure
that has been before congress since
the repeal of the purchasing clause
Of the Sherman act, in 1893.
1t was reported to the senate Feb.
26 and was made the unfinished bust
May the bill was Under general dis
cussion without limitation on the du-
ration of speeches, fifty-eight of which
were delivered.
Purpose of the Bill.
The principal purpose of the rail-
road rate bill is to permit the inter-
state commerce commission to fix
rates. The provision comforting this
authority is found in the fourth sec
ton of the bill which amends section
Is of the interstate commerce law so
as to accomplish this result. The sec
ton directs the commission to inves-
tigate complaints of unjust and un-
reasonable charges on the part of the
common carriers in the Transports
ton of persons or property or of reg
ulations or of practices affecting such
charges.
To Fix q Just Rate.
1t also authorizes an inquiry as to
whether the rates or practices are
"unjustly discriminatory or unduly
preferential Or prejudicial or other
wise in violation of the act" and in
case any of these conditions are
found to exist, the commission is en-
powered to determine and prescribe
what will be the just and reasonable
maximum rate and what regulation
or practice is just, reasonable and
fair. Further authority is given the
commission to enforce its orders and
they are to go into effect within thirty
days and continue in force for two
years unless suspended, modified or
set aside by the commission or by
court of competent jurisdiction.
Subject to Court Review.
Other powers conferred by this Sec
ton are: To apportion joint fares,
establish through rates and maximum
joint rates and prescribe their divis-
ion and to determine the cOmpensa-
ton to be paid to shippers doing
service for carriers.
The bill was amended by the SEN
ate so as to give the United States
circuit courts jurisdiction to entertain
suits brought to annul or change the
orders of the commission and to pre-
vail against the granting of interlocu-
tory DEGREES without hearings and
making appeals from such orders dl-
rect to the supreme court.
Fiibuster in House.
Reminiscent of the stressful days
of the Forty-seventh congress were
the scenes in the house yesterday
when the Democrats, under the lead
ership of Mr.. Williams of Mississippi,
began the first real filibuster in
number of years, their object being to
defeat the bill paying to the estate of
Samuel Lee Of South Carolina $10,-
4S2 for allowances made by reason of
the election Of Lee, a negro, to a seat
in the Forty-seventh congress.
This bill has been reported favora-
bly at nine congresses. Mr.. Williams
resorted to every known parliament
tary tactic to encompass the defeat
of the measure There were number
less roll calls and still more divis-
ions demanded and taken before the
bill was finally passed.