Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-16
POSTPONED THE VOTE
Action of Senate Committee on
Rate Legislation.
TWO OF MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Tillman Threatened With
Pneumonia.
WORD FROM SENATOR CULLOM
Asked to Be Recorded Against Pro-
posed Amendment Providing for
Appeal to the Courts.
TWO OF MEMBERS ABSENT
WORD FROM SENATOR CULLOM

The important features of rate legisla-
tion pending before the Senate committee
on Interstate commerce will not be voted
upon until next Friday. This was decided
upon by the committee today during its
session a the Capitol in view of a letter
received from Senator Tillman, who return
ed from South Carolina yesterday and is
now III at his home threatened with pneu
rnonia
While considerable disappointment has
resulted from this postponement, 1t did
much today to relieve the strain under
which every member of the committee was
laboring Ten days ago it was decided that
the committee Should vote on all amend
ments and bills before it today. 1t was
proposed to begin this morning and sys-
tematlcally take up every proposition that
any member cf the committee cared to
have urged and record vote against or
for it. Tie committee met with that ex-
pectatiOn. 1t was known that Senator Gull
lom could not be present, as he is still
in Florida ILL., but it was not believed that
a pOstpOnement would be successfully
urged on that account
Senator Culom had written to ask the
committee to allow him to be paired in
favor of either the Hepburn or the Dolli-
yer bill and against any proposition to
amend those bills providing for an appeal
from the decisions of the interstate com
merce commission to the courts. The COM
mittee did not agree to do this and today
a telegram was received from Mr. Culom
asking that his vote be recorded in favor
ol the Hepnurn or the Dolliver bill.
Postponed the Division.
This was regarded by the committee as
rather an unusual proceeding, and there
was an evidence of opposition to granting
the request 1t was not definitely decided
however, one way or the other. But right
after the telegram from Senator Cullom
came Il letter from Senator Tillman stat
ing that he was i'll at his home threatened
with pneumonia, and that he could not
ieaNe without greatly endangering his
health. In view of that letter the decision
was quickly reached that the committee
could do nothing else than permit the I'M
portant votes on the bin to go over until
next Friday.
The committee, however. viii proceed to
sit for the purpose Of disposing of many
minor amendments that are pending before
it. These amendments will take up much
time, and are not of n nature, it is be-
lieVed, to cause serious difficulty in reach
ing agreement. But in the case of any
amendment that may be regarded by any
member of the committee so important
that Senator Tillman or Senator Cullom
will wish TO have an opportunity TO vote
upon it, 1t will be passed over and not
taken up until next Friday.
How the Committee Stands.
With Senator Tillman and Senator Gull
lOm absent the committee stood today six
to five in favor Of the general proposition
for an appeal amendment, which is advo-
Gated by majority of the republicans on
the committee.
Senator Carmack reached the city today
from his home in Tennessee, where he
has been engaged in the work of political
fence building looking to the primary cleo
ton of next May which Will result IN the
choice of his successor. There has been
considerable question as to Senator Car
mack's attitude toward the appeal amend
ment but it was stated today by members
of the committee that he Will be IN line
with the majority of the democrats of the
committee against the insertion of such
ar amendment In the bill.
Will Meet Again Thursday.
When the committee adjourned 1t was to
meet next Thursday at 1890 o'clock. when
It is expected that both Senators Cullom
and TilIman will be present.
The committee today adopted two amend
ments to the Hepburn bill, tentatively.
One of these amendments provided that the
Interstate commerce commission shall con-
sist of nine members SIX members of the
committee today voted in favor of nine
members OF the commission and five re-
publicans on the committee voted in favor
of seven members. This vote is likely TO
: be reconsidered at the next meeting.
Another amendment offered by Mr.. Car
mack was voted upon favorably. 1t pro-
vides that "a railroad company shall be
liable for loss damage to freight passing
over it's line and any other line or lines
with which 1t may connect. no matter
where the damage may have occurred.
The amendment also provides that rail-
road paying such damages may recover
them from the railroad on which the dam
ages actually occurred This amendment
received almost unanimous vote, only one
,I,1-.r Of tt,,p.
against It, SO that there is little doubt
that It will be a part of the Hepburn bill
when that measure is reported to the Sen
ate.
next Thursday welcome relief TO
many senators whose time has been closely
occupied attending upon its meetings re-
Gently. But 1t IS not likely that any OF
them will be idle. the days Intervening
until the next meeting are likely to be filled
with conferences in an endeayor to get the
TWO sides TO the controversies that are be-
fore the committee closer together.
Today the lines OF difference between a
majority of the republicans on the commit
tee who favor appeal amendment to the
bill and majority of the democrats who
are against such amendment, were very
closely drawn Several democrats on the
committee expressed the opinion that fur
ther discussion could not possibly change
the views of senators on this point, as they
declare that such discussion as has taken
place has only resulted in more firmly fixing
the opinion of senators for and against the
measure.
Protest of Coal Operators
delegation of prominent coal operators
from the west and southwest waited on
Senator Elkins. chairman OF the commit
tee, yesterday and submitted a protest
against any rate regulation legislation CIV
ing to the interstate commerce commission
power over rates except with full provision
for the review of the acts of the commits
sion In the courts. The coal men also made
the statement that, Judging the future by
the past record of the interstate commerce
commission, the Hepburn bill as passed by
the House. means demoraiization. retro
gression and confscation."
The delegation included some of the
most rr0rutyaut cnaI oynra tore In f1,a mid