New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-03
REAL RATE BILL LATER
SHAPED IN SENATE.
Preliminary Work to Shake Out
Chaf-Meat VII Remain.
ITrom The Tribune Bureau.I

Washington. Feb. 2-Progress recorded
to-day in the effort Of Congress TO enact ads-
quate railway rate legislation when the Inter-
state Commerce Committee OF the Senate voted
to begin continuous consideration OF the various
measures before IL on Friday. a week from to-
day. to hold daily sessions thereafter and to
attempt 10 reach a final vote week later. on
Friday. February 10. There has been disposi-
tion in some quarters. however. 70 attach un-
due Importance TO the action OF this committee.
which is not likely to be final
The real railway rate bill which will be passed
at this session and which will receive the hearty
support OF the Republican leaders IN the Sen
ate and the House and the approval OF the
President Will be shaped IN open session on
the floor OF the Senate This prediction is made
with full knowledge Of the facts and with no
purpose OF minimizing the Importance Of tho
work OF the Interstate Commerce COMMITTEES. Il
is merely statement OF fact well known to the
men who dominate affairs IN the Senate and
on whom the President depends for adequate
measure which will accomplish the ends he seeks
TO attain and at the same time prove invul-
nerabIs to the railway attorneys. who VIII seez
to discredit il constitutional grounds
The Interstate Commerce Committee viii dis
pose OF a lot OF the notsam and jetsarn which
has drifted into the committee. and will finally
report one or two measures. one OF which VIII
be made the basis OF the measure finally 70 pass.
Present indications that this will pe the
Hepburn bill. which embodies most OF the prin-
ciples desired. although IL Is said TO contain
some useless verbiage and To define less clearly
than Is desired certain OF its provisions These
defects are in way vital 10 the principles in
volved. however. and when the Senate gsts
through with the measure. whether &c bs the
Hepburn bill other. It will represent tas
best legal talent the floor OF the upper chaus-
Der.
Too strong emphasis cannot be laid on ths
purely judicial attitude which the Presidsnt IN
maintaining. He has declared himself frankly
and openly IN support Of certain principles. but
he is scrupulously retraining from committing
himself with regard TO the details or permitting
his name to be used as the advocate OF any par
ticular measure. He has won the sympathy and
support of the abIest men IN the party for the
reform which. IN season and out OF season. he
has advocated. and he is gratifed at the earnest
ness with which they have undertaken this TN
portant work For the present he WILL there
fore. content himself with awaiting the result
Of the labors Of Congress. with confidence that
when those labors are completed. the ueasurs
framed will be all that he could desire.
Some OF the ablest lawyers in the Senate
such men as Spooner. Knox and others-have not
yet committed themselves on this subject, at
least far as details are concerned, but thcy
the effect OF their work will be made manifest
in the completed legislation. They will probably
withhold their opinions. however. until the sub
ject is taken up the floor OF the Senate ana
then they will use the knowledge they are now
acquiring to pass bill which will be creditahls
TO the Republican party.
The House. as represented by Speaker Can
non. is also retaining open mind on the sub
ject prepared to accept any improvements the
Senate is capable Of presenting so that every
thing points to a successful outcome. and that
at very distant date. considering the i'm
portance and the intricacies of the subject.
From purely political point OF view the
course OF both houses IN dealing with this leg
islation has been most effective. The little
guns" some of whom must soon stand for re-
election. have had ample opportunity 70 attach
their names and appear IN the public prints
sponsors for railway rate bills and all viii have
an opportunity to spread upon the record views
which VIII prove beneficial in their respective
localities. Later on the heavy ordnance viii be
brought into action. and the results OF the dnaI
bombardment promise TO be all that the most
exacting could desire